FOLDING ARM AWNINGS MELBOURNE.
FOLDING ARM
AWNING
WHAT IS A RETRACTABLE FOLDING ARM AWNING?
Retractable Awnings or Folding Arm Awnings as they are more commonly known are a popular type of horizontal shade. They are an extendable awning with pre-tensioned folding arms which open and close the awning. These folding arm awnings can be motorised or manually crank operated. At Motorised Blinds Australia we can supply and install both manual and motorised retractable folding arm options here in Melbourne. We do however recommend motorisation for larger folding arm awnings due to them being more difficult to wind in and out as they become wider.
WHY CHOOSE A FOLDING ARM AWNING?
Retractable folding arm awnings are a versatile shade which fundamentally provide solar protection from the harsh Australian sun and for both domestic and commercial applications. They are also the perfect solution for both home owners or businesses wanting to define a new space that can be used for entertainment, leisure or create or extend an outdoor area. Retractable Awnings are a great alternative to having a fixed structure such as a verandah or pergola. Folding Arm Awnings are a smart solution that will increase the functionality and appeal of any outdoor area. This types of awning can add curb side appeal ,value and improve the energy efficiency of any building. Motorised Blinds Australia s experienced team can give you sound advise on selecting the right folding arm awning for your home or business. We can also guide you on our motorised retractable awning solutions. With the power of motorisation we can simplify and centralise your awning controls to operate your folding arm awning with the touch of a button or with a simple voice command. We can also create fully autonomous solutions which monitor the ever changing climatic conditions and automatically open and close your awning based on the thresholds that are set.
TYPES OF FOLDING ARMS AWNINGS
There are three types of retractable folding arms available.
1, Full Cassette Retractable Arm Awning - This awning is fully encased by its own headbox and bottom bar when it is completely closed. Full cassette awnings are also know as a cocoon style awnings.
2.Semi Cassette Retractable Awning - This style of awning has an outer shell which covers approx 50-75% of the awning when retracted. Typically the top, back and front portion of the folding arm is covered with the arms still visible from the underside.
3.Open faced Retractable Awnings- This type of folding arm awning is by far the most popular. It is made up of your basic awning frame and fabric and does not have a head box attached to it as part of its design. The awning frame, its arms and fabric are completely visible and exposed to the elements. You can however add an optional color bond or after market head box installed above the awning to give it some added protection.
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Are Somfys RTS Remote controls compatible with the Zigbee Motors?No. Somfys RTS remote controls are not compatible with Zigbee Motors. Zigbee operates on 2.4Ghz spectrum frequency which is a different frequency to RTS which is 433.42 Mhz. If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to call us on 1300 952 510 or email us your details at Contact Us.
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Do the Somfy Zigbee motors have a further range of control then the Somfy RTS Motors?YES & NO. It all depends on how the blinds motors have been set up. Somfy's RTS remote controls have a omni directional range of over 20 metres, this includes thru walls & floors. Zigbee motors have an open field range of only 7mtres. If comparing the two protocols with 2 stand alone blinds the RTS would win. However Zigbees range can be greatly extended beyond that of RTS if you created a network of otherZigbee devices that communicate to each other in a mesh network. Contact our qualified team at Motorised Blinds Australia for more advice. Contact Us
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Do all Somfy zibee blind motors & products have the same role with in a mesh network and ecosystem?No. Different Somfy product have different roles in the mesh network and eco system and this is important when planning and setting up your blinds in a mesh network. EQUIPMENT ROLES End Point Devices - All of Somfys zigbee battery powered devices can only be an endpoint device. This means they will only communicate with one parent device. Example of Somfy battery powered devices include Sonesse 28 and Sonesse 40. Also the Ysia remote control can only take on a endpoint role. Repeater - Somfy Powered 240V AC Zigbee motors act as repeaters and relay commands between repeaters and end devices. Repeaters extend and strengthen the rnge within the ecosystem. Controller - Somfys Tahoma Switch Hub acts as the controller and forms and manages the network and ecosystem. The controller must me mains powered (240v)
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Are Somfy Zigbee blind motors more expensive than there RTS motors?Yes. Zigbee motors are more expensive than Somfys RTS motors. Some of the Zigbee motors and accessories are not that much more expensive than their RTS counterparts. Indicatively the equivalent Somfy Zigbee motor to RTS motor is approx 20% more expensive.
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How long does it take to fully charge a Somfy Sonesse Zigbee Li-Ion blind motor?With new optimised charging, the charge times on a Somfy Zigbee Li-Ion motors take 1.5hrs to fully charge using the USB-C charger. This is a vast advantage over the Sonesse 30 RTS which has a 4hr Charge time.
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What control options are available for a Somfy Zigbee powered blinds?We have a number of control options available for our Somfy Zigbee blinds. REMOTE CONTROL. - Our most basic option to control all of our Zigbee powered blinds is with a Somfy Ysia Remote. With the simple touch of a button you can have the blinds open and close. SMART PHONE - All of our Zigbee motorised blinds can be controlled thru a smart phone using the Tahoma Switch Hub. VOICE COMMAND - Using a third party voice assistant compatible with IFTTT and the optional Tahoma Switch you will be able to control your smart blinds with a simple voice command.
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How Long does a Somfy Sonesse Li-Ion motor's battery charge last for before it needs to be re-charged again?Somfy Sonesse Zigbee Li-Ion motors have a battery charge life of approx 6 to 12 month. This will vary depending on how big the blind is, how often you use the blind, and what speed setting the blind is set too.
FOLDING ARM AWNING FABRIC CHOICES
Folding Arm Awnings are primarily covered using acrylic fabric. This is mainly due to its lower thickness, greater tensile strength, colour fastness and the huge array of colours & designs they comes in. Certain brands of screen type fabrics can also be used but this is far less popular.
When considering purchasing a folding arm awning, the awning frame is only one part of the purchase. Serious consideration needs to be made about what fabric is being supplied with the awning. A good folding arm awning fabric needs to have excellent solar properties, be highly durable and visually appealing. At Motorised Blinds Australia all of the folding arm awnings that we make here in Melbourne are made only using the very best exterior fabrics that are available. Our fabric suppliers include Dicksons, Sattler, Soltis and Docril Fabrics. All of the folding arm awning fabrics that we use are made using the latest in textile manufacturing technology. These premium hi-tech cloths are now stronger and more U.v ,mould, and mildew resistant than their predecessors and that of the cheaper cloths available on the market.
In addition to protecting you from the sun, folding arm awnings are a highly visual product. This allows for the opportunity to make a unique design statement and with hundreds of colours to choose from, there is a colour and design to suit every kind of facade.