Every patio awning gets a score from 0 to 100% built from five factors, which maps onto the 5-point rating shown on the site (a 0% score would be 1.5 stars; a perfect score, 5). Each factor is scored against fixed reference points, not against the other products in the list, so adding a new model never moves another model’s rating. Awnings are grouped by width, under 12 ft, 12 to 13.9 ft and 14 ft and wider, and use the same scale in every group.
| Factor | Measures | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Value | price per square foot of coverage (width x projection unless a coverage figure is published) | 30% |
| Coverage | shaded area | 10% |
| Features | motor and remote, wind sensor, hood or cassette, shipped assembled, hand-crank backup and solar power | 20% |
| Build and fabric | fabric type and weight, UV rating and the wind speed the maker states | 25% |
| Warranty | warranty length | 15% |
Where the numbers come from
Width, projection, fabric, UV rating, wind claims, features and warranty come from the maker’s product page or the maker’s own copy on a retail listing. A figure the maker doesn’t publish is left blank rather than guessed. Prices are checked at Amazon, and the lowest price at a store the page links to is used.
The factors
Value is the current price divided by the area the awning covers, in dollars per square foot, on a log scale, so halving the price always counts the same. $22 per square foot scores zero and $1 per square foot full marks. Coverage is the maker’s stated area where one is published, otherwise width times projection, and the product page marks that as calculated.
Coverage is the shaded area: 50 sq ft scores zero and 200 sq ft full marks.
Features is 30% for a motor with a remote, 20% for a wind sensor that retracts the awning, 20% for a hood or full cassette that protects the rolled fabric, 15% for shipping fully assembled, 10% for a hand-crank backup on a motorized model, and 5% for solar power.
Build and fabric is 45% fabric, 30% UV rating and 25% wind claim. Acrylic fabric scores full marks. Polyester scores up to 60%, rising with weight from 200 g/m2 to 300 g/m2. UV rating runs from 30 (zero) to 80 (full marks). The wind claim is the speed in mph the maker says the awning withstands, from 15 mph (zero) to 35 mph (full marks), with a small bonus when a wind sensor backs it. These are maker claims, not test results, and a rating given only as a level is not converted to a speed.
Warranty is the maker’s warranty: 1 year scores zero and 5 years full marks.
What isn’t scored
Pitch range, frame material, color, mounting height and release date are listed but not scored.
Missing data
If a figure isn’t published, that part of the score gets the neutral middle value (50) and the product page marks it as estimated. A feature the maker doesn’t mention counts as absent. The exception is warranty: a maker that doesn’t publish one gets no warranty counted, so that factor scores zero, the same as a one-year warranty, and is marked estimated.
Ties and discontinued models
Products are ranked by score within each group. Discontinued models stay listed but rank below every current model and can be hidden with the “Hide discontinued” filter.