Members opinions pls - Retractable patio awning

This summer me and my hubby have been thinking about having one of these canopy awnings on one part of the decking because on the other side we have a fold out parasol which covers the table and chairs and half the decking.​

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If any GC members have them or have had them...are they any good please regarding the sun plus rain?
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They look very nice, but can be very expensive.

For those who are a bit handy with DIY. If you can get hold of the fabric, a far less sophisticated one is easy to make.

I made one out of 2" X 1" over twenty years ago before I built the first pool and then made a pergola for the back of the house to replace it.

I used a recycled green fruit canopy I got from work, when it was being chucked out and cut it down.
It was quite effective and only cost me a few quid. It was pretty simple. You just pulled on some blind cord and it folded up like a baby's pram hood. But it kept the sun off, as our garden is South facing. Now the wisteria on the pergola does the same job.

 

Hi Gail i have one it works well for sun and rain, i wouldn't advise using it in strong winds though.
Work in progress

 

We are on our second one. Ours takes torrential rain and high temperatures. We also have two shade sails.

 

That's very impressive.

 

Thanks DR, i had to make and weld some brackets to fix it there, it faces west and the wind always blows from west to east here, a breeze is ok but if it starts getting stronger i put it back in,

I have considered fabricating some supports for when its out but its not that bad, if the wind gets quite strong i usually go indoors anyhow.

 

I bought mine from here.
Standard Awnings: 115+ from £199.99

 

With my home-made one, if it had been closed up for a few days, you had to remember to stand clear when you let it down, as any rainwater would accumulate in the folds of the material. I never got round to making a pelmet over the top to stop that happening.

 

It looks a nice job well done ,

The problem for me with the pelmet it makes a right noise in the wind, ive ended up taping it to stop it flapping, you can buy covers to protect it through the winter i should send for one tbh, another job to put on my list.

 

Thanks @Doghouse Riley for your comment and nice to know you did your own, your garden looks lovely and tidy plus like your pond very smart...I've a good DIY hubby mate if I get one or if I had one built like yourself as done

 

@marting cheers mate and I definitely wouldn't use it in winds but just wondered how they was concerning rain

 

We've seen them at a local Range shop from small to large and they're not bad prices plus ours if we get one and it sounds like we will from every ones comments will be fixed to the property.

 

Thanks @Victoria for your helpful comment

 

@martin-f I am pleased with everyones comments besides your own and showing me the link and it's 95% decided for me to having one, just need the other half to take the 5% vote