Outdoor, window and retractable awnings, made locally in Warana.
Kawana Blinds has been making awnings on the Sunshine Coast since 1982. We design, manufacture and install outdoor awnings for patios, decks and cafes, and window awnings that stop heat and glare before they reach the glass. Every awning is measured on site, made to size at our Warana factory and fitted by our own team, from Caloundra to Noosa and out to the Hinterland.
The coast is a great place to live outdoors, but the sun is harsh, the afternoons get hot and the wind can come up fast off the water. The right awning makes a real difference to how much you use your outdoor space and how comfortable the house stays inside. Below is every style we make, what each one is good at, and an honest guide to what affects the price.
Eight styles, each suited to a different job. Not sure which one fits? The comparison table further down sums them up, or give us a call and we'll talk it through.
Retractable awnings that project out from the wall or roof line with no support posts underneath. Wind them out when you want shade, roll them away when you want the sun back.
Best for: Patios, decks and alfresco areas
View our folding arm awnings
A spring-loaded awning that runs down aluminium side tracks and locks at the bottom. A simple, cost-effective way to close in a patio against afternoon sun.
Best for: Enclosing patios and verandas on a budget
View our side channel awnings
The same idea as a standard side channel, built with reinforced extrusions and deeper channels. Made for bigger openings and spots that cop the full force of the wind.
Best for: Wide spans and exposed coastal homes
View our heavy duty side channel awnings
Spring-tensioned arms push the fabric out at an angle from the window, so the glass is shaded but air can still flow in underneath. A classic window awning that suits old and new homes.
Best for: Windows you want to keep open
View our drop arm awnings
The awning slides up and down on rigid guide rods and stops at any height. Can be run from inside with a rope and pulley or a motor, which makes them handy for upstairs windows.
Best for: Upper-storey and hard-to-reach windows
View our fixed guide awnings
Instead of bulky side tracks, the fabric runs down tensioned marine-grade stainless steel cables. A clean, minimal look that works where channels can't be fixed.
Best for: Modern homes, glass balustrades, thin posts
View our wire guide awnings
Our premium Italian-designed folding arm range, in semi cassette and full cassette versions. The cassette houses the fabric (and in the full version, the arms too) when it's rolled up.
Best for: Premium patios where looks and longevity matter
View our Siena cassette awnings
Clear or tinted PVC blinds that close in an outdoor dining area against wind and rain without hiding the view. Popular with cafes and with families who want an all-weather deck.
Best for: Cafes, restaurants and home entertaining decks
View our bistro and cafe blindsWant to fully close in an outdoor room? Have a look at our track-guided Ziptrak® blinds and Zipscreen blinds, or our LeafShade® retractable roof.
A quick side-by-side of every awning we make. Wind ratings are a general guide: exposure varies a lot from a sheltered Buderim backyard to a beachfront unit, so we'll confirm on site.
| Awning type | Best for | Wind tolerance | Window or patio | Manual / motorised | Typical size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Folding arm | Shade over patios and decks with no posts | Low. Retract in strong wind (wind sensor recommended) | Patio / deck | Manual crank or motorised | Up to 7m wide and 4m projection per unit; units can be joined |
| Siena cassette | Premium folding arm with protected fabric | Low. Retract in strong wind (wind sensor recommended) | Patio / deck | Manual crank or Somfy motor | Custom widths and projections |
| Side channel | Affordable patio enclosure | Medium. Locks into side tracks at the base | Patio / veranda | Manual (spring-loaded) | Standard patio openings |
| Heavy duty side channel | Big openings and exposed sites | High. Reinforced extrusions and deep channels | Patio / deck | Manual crank or motorised | Larger spans than standard side channel |
| Wire guide | Minimal look where tracks won't fit | Medium. Tensioned stainless cables limit flapping | Patio or window | Manual or motorised | Windows to patio openings |
| Fixed guide | Upstairs and hard-to-reach windows | Medium. Guide rods hold the fabric in place | Window | Rope and pulley or motorised | Single windows and wall sections |
| Drop arm | Shading windows while keeping airflow | Medium. Tensioned arms, raise in storms | Window | Manual | Single windows |
| Bistro / cafe | Closing in dining areas from wind and rain | High. Designed as a weather barrier | Patio / deck / cafe | Manual or motorised | Patio and shopfront openings |
Most outdoor awnings we install go over a patio, deck or alfresco area that gets too hot to use in the middle of the day. If you want shade that comes and goes, a folding arm awning is usually the answer. It mounts to the wall, fascia or under the eaves, projects out over the area and leaves the floor completely clear, so there are no posts to walk around or trip over at night.
If the problem is low afternoon sun coming in sideways, a vertical awning works better. Side channel and heavy duty side channel awnings drop down the open sides of a patio and lock in place, cutting glare and heat and adding a bit of privacy from the neighbours. Wire guide awnings do the same job with a lighter look. For a dining area that you want usable in wind and rain too, clear PVC bistro blinds close it in without losing the view.
Plenty of homes end up with a mix: a retractable awning over the deck for midday shade and guided awnings on the western side for the afternoon. We'll look at how the sun moves across your place before we suggest anything.
Window awnings are one of the most effective ways to keep a Queensland house cool. Shading the outside of the glass stops the heat before it gets in, which an internal blind can't do. That means cooler rooms, less work for the air conditioner and less fading on floors, couches and artwork.
For single windows, drop arm window awnings angle out from the wall so you can keep the window open for the breeze. Fixed guide awnings run on rigid rods and can be operated from inside, which makes them a good fit for upstairs windows you can't easily reach. Wire guide awnings suit wide modern windows where you want the hardware to almost disappear.
Most of our awnings can be motorised, so you can open and close them with a remote, a wall switch or your phone. We fit Somfy motors and sensors, Automate solar, battery and hardwired motors and the Lynx automation range, depending on the awning and your budget. See how they compare on our motorised awnings and blinds page.
Sensors are where automation really earns its keep on the coast. A wind sensor tells a folding arm awning to retract when the wind picks up, so a sudden southerly doesn't damage the arms or fabric while you're at work. A sun sensor can lower window awnings automatically on hot afternoons and raise them when the sun goes off the glass. If you already have Somfy products in the house, new awnings can usually join the same system.
The fabric does most of the work, so it's worth choosing carefully. Have a look through our full awning fabrics range, or go straight to the type you're after:
We stock premium ranges such as Soltis and Visiontex, which are made for strong UV and salty coastal air. Bring an idea of your house colours and we'll bring samples to the measure.
As a guide, a folding arm awning typically costs between $3,000 and $7,500 supplied and installed. Other styles vary with the same factors, so rather than quote a number that might not apply to your home, here's what actually moves the price:
Our measure and quote is free and there's no pressure. You'll get a written price for the exact awning, fabric and motor options we talked about.
We're based in Warana and our own installers cover the whole coast, from Pelican Waters and Caloundra up through Kawana, Mooloolaba and Maroochydore, inland to Buderim and the Hinterland, and north to Coolum and Noosa. See what we do in your area:
We're a local, family-run business that has been manufacturing awnings on the Sunshine Coast for over 40 years. Your awning is built in our own factory, not shipped in.
We've fitted thousands of awnings and blinds on coastal homes, so we know what holds up to salt air, strong UV and the afternoon wind.
Quality components and our own workmanship, backed by our product and installation warranty.
Our experienced local team handles the lot, from measuring your home to making and fitting your awning, so it fits properly the first time.
Call 0474 768 344 or send us a few details and we'll be in touch.
Book a Free Measure & Quote