Post What's The Difference Between Half Cassette and Full Cassette Awnings?

Choosing the right awning: Half cassette vs full cassette awnings

Choosing the best awning for your outdoor space goes beyond just looks and both half cassette and full cassette awnings have their own benefits. Functional and practical considerations are most important when selecting your awning, as it needs to do the best job for your space. A well-chosen awning not only looks great, but also provides crucial shade, shelter and climate control, creating a comfortable outdoor space. Whether it’s for home patios, commercial shop fronts or recreational spaces, the right awning can effectively reduce sun exposure, protect against bad weather and ultimately make your outdoor area more accessible no matter what the conditions.

Half Cassette vs Full Cassette Awnings

To explain the difference between the types of awning available, the cassette is the casing into where the awning retracts. There are options for both a full cassette and a half cassette. A half cassette is an awning where this casing sits on top of the fabric roll. This is to help protect the awning from rain and dirt. Whereas, a full cassette awning is an enclosed awning where the roller, fabric cover and arms are all fully protected as they are stored in a closed cassette once retracted.

Half Cassette Awnings

Half cassette awnings are a popular choice for outdoor spaces and are characterised by a protective casing that partially covers the fabric when retracted. This design gives a balance between aesthetics and practicality. The cassette housing attempts to protect the awning fabric from the elements, keeping it cleaner and extending its lifespan. The semi-enclosed structure covers over the top of the awning but leaves the underside exposed. 

In terms of functionality, half cassette awnings have flexible deployment options, letting you easily extend or retract the awning as needed. This is particularly useful for adjusting shade levels and controlling exposure to sunlight, making outdoor spaces more comfortable and enjoyable. The half-cassette design has a more traditional appearance, which can work with lots of architectural styles.

The benefits of half cassette awnings go beyond aesthetics and functionality. The protective casing shields the fabric from rain, wind and UV rays keeping it in top condition for longer when compared to an awning without cassette. The versatile design also makes half cassette awnings suitable for different settings, from residential to commercial. By combining style with practicality, these awnings add both to the look and enjoyment of your outdoor space.

Full Cassette Awnings

The defining feature of full cassette awnings is the complete enclosure of the fabric and mechanical parts within a protective housing when it’s retracted. This makes it look like a closed cassette when it’s fully retracted. This design means that all parts of the awning are protected against the elements and last longer.

The full protection offered by full cassette awnings stems from the sealed housing that shields the fabric, arms and other components from rain, wind, dust and UV rays. This protective casing not only keeps the awning looking its best but also ensures the longevity of its parts. It reduces wear and tear caused by exposure to the elements. As a result, full cassette awnings need minimal maintenance and remain in excellent condition over a longer period.

In terms of design, full cassette awnings have a sleek and streamlined appearance. The enclosed cassette gives it a neat and tidy look when the awning is retracted, making it unobtrusive. The clean lines and compact design make full cassette awnings a popular choice for both residential and commercial settings.

Functionally, these awnings offer user-friendly operation with motorised or manual options available. With their comprehensive protection, refined design and user-friendly functionality, full cassette awnings are a premium choice if you’re looking for a durable solution for your outdoor space.

Pros and Cons

Half cassette and full cassette awnings both serve as versatile solutions for adding shade in outdoor spaces, but they differ in design, functionality and overall protection.

Design

Half cassette awnings have a partially enclosed cassette, covering the top side and leaving the bottom exposed when retracted, offering a balance between aesthetics and functionality. They have a sleek appearance and are more cost effective. On the other hand, full cassette awnings have a fully enclosed cassette that covers the entire fabric and mechanical components when retracted. This design creates a seamless and neat appearance, with no visible parts and with the whole awning fully protected from weather all year round.

Protection

The design of half cassette awnings provides effective shade and protection, but the exposed bottom may make them slightly more susceptible to accumulating dirt. They also require more maintenance. Whereas full cassette awnings provide complete protection for the fabric and components within the cassette, meaning a longer lifespan and less maintenance required. 

Functionality

Both types of awnings offer excellent shade for your outdoor areas, at home or for your business, but full cassette awnings are often larger than their half cassette counterparts, so space may be a consideration. Also, both types of awning have both manual and motorised options, so extending and retracting either style can be simple. 

Cost

Half cassette awnings often cost less than full cassette options, so price is a big differentiating factor. Generally, full cassette awnings tend to be more expensive than their half cassette counterparts due to their more comprehensive design and enhanced protection.

Choosing the Perfect Awning

When finding the perfect awning, size is paramount; measure your area accurately to make sure you get the perfect coverage from your awning. The location also plays a crucial role, considering things like sun exposure, winds and architectural features that may influence where you place your awning. You’ll also need to tailor your choice to your personal needs, for example by considering whether you’ll need a motorised or manual option. Budget will also influence your choice, with different materials, sizes and half or full cassette options coming in at different price points. 

Whether full or half cassette awnings are right for you, discover the finest selection of awnings at Concorde Blinds. At our family-run business with over 40 years of experience, we can help you find the perfect awning for your outdoor space. Whether it’s for your home or business, we’ve got an ideal range of awnings to choose from. Get in touch and see how we can help.