About Sun Awnings Direct

Our Awning Products

Ordering & Delivery

Installation

Aftersales

About Sun Awnings Direct

Who are Sun Awnings Direct?

Sun Awnings Direct is a trading name for Luxury Living Direct LLP (company registration number OC363991).

Luxury Living Direct was formed specifically to allow people to buy bespoke high quality home improvements products directly, avoiding visits from salesmen, surveyors and installers - saving significant money.

Our main focus is on quality but by avoiding huge marketing costs, not paying sales commissions and avoiding the massive costs of keeping surveyors and installers on the road, we can bring you quality products and a vastly reduced price.

How can I contact Sun Awnings Direct?

We have several ways that you can contact us if you need any assistance.

Firstly we offer a live chat facility that you can click on to chat directly with one of our customer service team. To access this simply look to the top right hand side of any page to launch the chat.

If you would prefer to email us then you can you either use the Contact Us form here or alternatively you can email us at sales at sun-awnings-direct.co.uk (swap word at for @).

If you prefer to speak to someone on the phone then we offer a freephone number that is available Monday to Friday between 9am to 5pm. The number is 0800 030 5204 and can be found in the top right hand corner of any page.

What makes Sun Awnings Direct different?

Sun Awnings Direct takes pride in the products that we offer. At the moment if you wish to buy a Sun Awning you really have two main options. One is to use a home improvement company who will offer you the complete service from sale to installation. This is great but particularly expensive - especially if you are capable of carrying out most aspects of their service yourself.

The second option is to buy low quality Sun Awnings that are available online of from certain stores. These are generally cheap, low quality imports that are designed based on price and not quality.

Sun Awnings Direct offers an option in between. Buy quality from us, just lose the unnecessary bells and whistles that adds so much to the cost.

Sun Awnings Direct also does not spend money on expensive press or TV advertising which again, helps us keep the cost down with no compromise on quality.

Our Awning Products

Is each Awning really custom built?

Yes each Awning is really custom built. We can tailor your Sun Awning to the exact centimetre to fit with your requirement. Of course we have to keep our pricing simple so just round up to the next nearest price and add in the notes your required size.

As well as the size you have many other different options such as fabric, operation, whether you require a valance etc. Just like the top home improvement companies, we make your Sun Awning to your specific order.

What makes your products different?

We pride ourselves on quality. We keep prices low by avoiding employing salesmen, surveyors and installers that are extremely costly to keep on the road. As well as this we do not use expensive advertising in the press. The end product is still the same; quality, though without the bells and whistles.

All of our products are of the highest quality. Unlike some Awnings that you may find in shops or online, our Awnings are made from aluminium framework, stainless steel fixings and a high quality UV protective, rot resistant fabric. We do not import from China, all components are sourced within Europe to ensure strict quality control procedures are adhered to. There really are no shortcuts taken.

As well as the quality, our service is unique in the fact that all of our Awning products are custom built to your requirement. We hold no "Stock Products".

Can I use my Awning in the rain/wind?

Our awnings are primarily designed to be used for sun protection however, they can be used in light rain as long as you ensure that the angle of the Awning is sufficient to stop water pooling on the fabric which will lead to damage to the arms.

The Awning is not designed to be used in strong winds. The Awning is tested to withstand up to Beaufort 5 winds. Any stronger then the Awning should be retracted.

In the event of snow or hail the Awning should not be used.

for more information regarding this please see our user guides.

What is the difference between your various Sun Awning models?

Firstly we have our top end Sun Awning model. It is a full cassette Awning. This means that when retracted the arms and fabric are fully enclosed. Everything about this Awning is about quality and style. There is no one else in the UK that supplies this product. It is totally unique to Sun Awnings Direct.

Our mid range product has a semi cassette. This means that the top of the Awning is fully enclosed though you can still see the arms and part of the fabric from the underside of the Awning.

Our standard Awning is still made from top materials however it is not a full cassette. This means that both the fabric and arms will be visible when it the Awning is fully retracted. It does still retract back into a protective cover. This Awning has been around for many years across Europe and really is an ideal model for those looking for a practical Awning solution.

Both the standard Awnings and the semi cassetted models offers the choice of both electric or a manual gearing where as the luxury, fully cassetted Awning model only offers electric.

Why are your products more expensive than some I see on the market?

This is down to one thing - quality.

Our Awnings are made from aluminium framework, stainless steel fixings and a high quality fabric. All components are sourced within Europe to keep a tight control on quality.

Our pricing is extremely competitive and we would be astonished if you could find a product made with the same quality for a comparable price.

What guarantees do you offer?

We are so confident in the quality of our products that all of our Sun Awnings come with a 5 year, return to base guarantee. In the unlikely event that a part does fail within the 5 year period, simply contact us and we will advise you how to isolate and remove the part in question, send it back to us and we will forward a replacement.

Are your products CE approved?

Yes all of our products are CE approved.

Are the Awnings simple to install?

Yes our products are extremely simple to install. All of our models are end fixed. This required just two to three fixings either end of the Sun Awning.

If you do not feel confident in installing yourself then any local builder or handyman would find the task simple. In addition we are always at the end of the phone to offer advice if needed.

Each Sun Awning is set up in our factory with a pitch that most people will find perfectly satisfactory. If you opt for remote control or automatic sun and wind operation, this will also be programmed in our factory meaning you will simply need to plug the Awning in and it will be ready to go!

What motors do you use?

We do not use Chinese motors.

We choose to use products sourced in Europe due to tighter quality control. Our current motors are either Itallian Nice motors or market leaders Somfy. Somfy is a worldwide trusted brand that have been used in Awnings across Europe and the UK for many years. Nice are up and coming and present excellent quality at a lower cost.

All of our range of Sun Awning Automation are also manufactured by Somfy or Nice which eliminates any compatibility issues.

What fabric do you use?

We use 100% acrylic fabrics manufactured by leading brand Dickson.

Our ever changing fabric collection offers a huge range of colours and styles. Our fabrics provide maximum UV protection as well as being resistant to rot and mildew.

Do you offer a solution for when there is not an adequate wall space to fit the Awning?

Often with UK properties there simply isn't a clear flat wall to enable the installation of a Sun Awning. Drain pipes and soil pipes often come down the wall right where you wanted to place your awning.

Bungalows with overhanging soffits can also pose a problem as your Awning would have to be so low down.

We offer a range of brackets to overcome these obstacles. Pipe brackets allow the Awning so stand off from the wall, avoiding any obstacle. Our gutter brackets can fix to a wall and bring your Awning out and in front of guttering or tiled brickwork.

If you do have any queries about these methods of fixture then please get in touch with us and we will gladly advise you.

Ordering & Delivery

How do I correctly measure for an Awning?

The Awning width is measured from one extreme of the cassette to the other. This means that a 4m wide awning will be 4m overall. This does not mean that the fabric itself will measure 4m as it will always be some degree smaller than the cassette size. You need to take this into account when ordering your Awning.

The projection is measured from the back of the cassette to the front of the front bar. This means that on a 3m projection the Awning will not come out to 3m unless it is coming out absolutely flat which is not possible.

I want to order a size in between the sizes you offer on your product page - is this possible?

Yes this is possible.

We have tried to keep our pricing simple but this does not mean you have to be limited to these specific sizes. We manufacture each Sun Awning specifically to your requirements right down to the millimetre so you can choose the exact size you like.

For example if you would like a Carino at 2.80m x 2m this is fine. Simply round up to the 3m x 2m price and include your requested size in the notes with your order.

How do I order a Sun Awning?

Ordering your Sun Awning is a simple process. First you will select the size of your Awning. Being our Awnings are custom made you are not restricted to the sizes offers. Simply round up to the next nearest price.

Next you will choose the operation of your Sun Awning. Our luxury fully cassette model comes as standard with electric operation, however our semi cassette and standard Awning model has the choice of both electric or manual operation.

The next step is to choose your fabric colour. You can then customise your awning with a selection of optional extras.

Once you complete your order you can follow through the checkout process. You can pay by card, bank transfer or cheque. We will call you to run through your order before we commence manufacture so please ensure you leave the best phone number!

How long does it take for my Sun Awning to be made?

This does depend on several factors however we work to a maximum timescale of 4 - 6 weeks from order to delivery. In reality the time is usually 3 - 4 weeks.

We maintain a stock of some of the more popular fabric choices which does allow a quick turnaround time. If you are interested in a quick delivery then please let us know.

What payments methods do you accept?

We can take payment in several ways.

Credit or debit cards can be used either online or taken over the phone. If you would prefer to send a cheque this is also fine though we will not commence your order until the payment has cleared. Bank transfer is also totally acceptable - our bank details can be provided on request.

We are a VAT registered company and a VAT invoice will be provided to you at the time you receive your completed product. All of our prices quoted are inclusive of VAT.

Can I order over the phone?

Yes you can order over the phone or online - whichever you find easiest.

What happens if I change my mind?

After your order has been placed you have 24 hours to cancel or change the order. From then it will depend how far the order has progressed as to what can be changed.

What delivery options do I have?

Currently we offer only one type of delivery service, however if you choose a fabric that we hold in stock we can reduce the manufacturing time considerably.

Once you order has been manufactured we will contact you to arrange a convenient delivery day. This is usually within a maximum of a week.

Installation

Do you offer an installation service?

Currently we do not offer an installation service however our Awnings are extremely easy to install, come with full instructions and already come preset in our factory.

If you really do not feel confident in installing yourself then a local handyman or builder would find the task simple. Of course we could offer advice and support over the phone if they were unclear on any aspect.

How simple is it to install my Sun Awning?

We believe our Awnings are very easy to install. Full instructions are provided with each product.

Usually the Awnings are fixed only at either end using two wall fixings each side. Once the Awning is in place, being it has already been set up in the factory, it is ready to be used. Either simply plug in or use the manual crank to open your Awning.

Are the Awnings simple to adjust?

If you do decide to adjust your Awning then you will find it very simple. It is usually just the case of turning an allen key screw to raise or lower the angle on each arm.

If you do not wish your Awning to extend as far you can simply press the stop button or stop winding the crank handle. It really is this simple.

What else do I need to do other than fitting to the wall?

If you have a remote controlled awning you will simply need to plug in the product to a standard three pin plug socket. Some people like to have an external socket for this purpose, others like to feed the cable through the wall to an internal socket. Either is perfectly acceptable.

Hard wired motors will require the awning to be wired to the provided switch then wired from the switch to the plug socket.

If you opt for the manual operation then your Awning is ready to go as soon as it is up on the wall.

What happens if I do not have a suitable wall to fix to?

It is common to not have an adequate wall to install to. We can manufacture brackets that overcome downpipes, soilpipes or other common obstructions. If you have a bungalow and need to bring the Awning out from under a soffit or even if you have a tilehung wall we can manufacture brackets to bring your Awning up and out.

If you have any queries regarding these brackets then please do not hesitate to contact us.

What happens if there is a problem with the product when it is delivered?

All of our Sun Awnings go through vigorous quality control procedures. However, in the unlikely event that you do encounter a problem on the delivery of your product simply email, or phone and we will be happy to assist you.

What do I do if I need assistance with setting up to the Awning?

We are always happy to help. We have a team of Awning experts who have experience in installing, manufacturing and servicing Awnings.

Our phone, email and live chat support is all free of charge and we will keep working with you until you have set up your new Sun Awning to your requirements.

Aftersales

What guarantees do you offer?

Because we are so confident with our products we offer a 5 year return to base warranty on all of our Awning products. This includes the frame, the fabric, and any electronics.

In the unlikely event that a component does fail within the 5 year period, contact us and we will advise you how to isolate and remove the faulty component safely. You can then return the part to us and we will forward you a replacement.

What happens if there is something wrong with my product?

All of our Awnings go through a stringent quality control process before they are despatched to you.

In the event that your Awning does arrive with a fault then we will be responsible for any postage charges that you may suffer a result of sending back faulty components.

Who should I contact for advice?

Our offices are open from 9 - 5pm Monday through to Friday where you can phone. Emails are generally answered outside of these hours and over the weekends and often our live chat facility is also available outside of these times.

We are always happy to provide advice and support if it is needed.

Can I buy additional accessories after the Awning has been delivered?

Yes you can.

Almost all components are able to be retro fitted at a later date. Some of the electronics will need to be programmed to your system which, if bought at the point of sale of your Awning would be pre-programmed in our factory. However this is not an overly difficult procedure as long as the provided instructions are adhered to.