What does each housing type protect?
Markilux's cassette-awning explanation distinguishes a fully enclosed housing from a semi-cassette that remains open underneath. Weinor's patio-awning range also separates open, semi-cassette and cassette designs. These manufacturer references explain the terminology; they do not describe equipment supplied by JY Home Shade.
| Type | Retracted arrangement | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Full cassette | Housing closes around the fabric and mechanism. | Closed dimensions, brackets, end clearances and service access. |
| Semi-cassette | Partial enclosure; some components remain exposed from below. | Exactly which parts are covered on the proposed model. |
| Open awning | Fabric roll and mechanism are not enclosed in a cassette. | Available building shelter and the care requirements for exposed parts. |
Ask for a closed-position photograph or section drawing. Names alone may not show how much of the mechanism remains exposed or how the front profile meets the housing.
Does the mounting location favour one type?
A wall with no overhead shelter makes retracted protection an important comparison point. Under a suitable overhang, an open or partially enclosed system may be worth evaluating. The presence of an overhang is not an installation approval: check its depth, obstructions and the proposed mounting arrangement.
Send photographs looking straight at the wall and from both sides. Mark windows, opening doors, lights, downpipes and the area where brackets might sit. Identify the underlying wall construction if known; visible cladding or render is not enough to define the fixing arrangement.
If the wall cannot provide the required support, changing the cassette style does not solve that problem. Have the mounting arrangement reviewed before confirming the awning.
Check the space when closed and when moving
Request three views: the closed housing on the wall, the fully extended awning and the route the arms and front profile take between them. Confirm access to doors and windows in each condition, rather than judging only an attractive photograph of the extended fabric.
- Overall housing width and depth, distinct from useful fabric coverage.
- Bracket positions and access for installation.
- Clearance around door openings, lights and projecting building details.
- Space needed for servicing the selected motor or mechanism.
- Proposed projection and the shaded area relative to the furniture.
For the measurement brief, use what size retractable awning do I need? Mark preliminary measurements as unconfirmed until the site and chosen system have been checked.
Keep housing, drive and weather limits separate
A cassette is a housing description. A folding arm describes a mechanism. Motorized describes the drive. These terms answer different questions and can appear together in one product description.
List the actual drive and controls in the quotation. Ask separately whether a sensor is included and what it does. Do not assume that a full cassette supplies automation or that a motor includes a manual recovery method.
When fabric and arms are extended, the cassette label does not establish their operating limits. Read the awning wind and rain guide and obtain instructions for the quoted configuration. Protection while stored is a different requirement from shelter while in use.
Compare quotations with the same project brief
Give each supplier the same width, projection, site photos and desired functions. Ask them to identify the proposed housing, fabric reference, drive, brackets and installation scope. Keep optional controls or lighting separate from the base offer.
If one proposal changes the housing type, request the reason and an updated closed-position drawing. Compare what changes in appearance, exposure, access and care. Do not assume one category is always cheaper or that a larger housing provides more shade.
Separate product supply, packaging, delivery and local installation. Confirm availability of the proposed cassette configuration with JY Home Shade; this comparison is not a statement that every housing type is offered.
Questions buyers ask
Is a full-cassette awning waterproof?
The label describes enclosure when retracted. It does not establish permitted rain use or the performance of the extended assembly.
Can an open awning be converted to full cassette later?
Do not assume an add-on cover will make it equivalent. Ask whether the exact frame, arms, drive and brackets have an approved conversion; otherwise compare a replacement system.
Does a full cassette mean the awning is motorized?
No. Specify the operating method separately and confirm which drive options are available for the proposed model.
Which type is best for a restaurant terrace?
Start with the installation location, hours of use, supervision and weather procedure. Then compare retracted protection, service access and the operating limits of actual offers.
What should I send for a cassette-awning quotation?
Send your location, wall photographs, approximate width and projection, nearby obstructions and preferred operation. State whether the mounting area has overhead shelter and who will confirm the site installation details.
Review retractable awning options once the brief is clear. If you also want a permanent frame or coordinated side enclosures, compare an awning with a pergola before selecting the housing.
Ask for an awning configuration that fits your site
Share wall photos, dimensions and the shelter above the fixing area. We can discuss the available configuration and quotation scope.
Discuss my project