Awnings for Restaurant Rooftop Patio

Rolltec Rolling Systems Ltd., Concord, Ontario, Canada

This project featured two large motorized retractable awnings installed over a restaurant’s rooftop patio. The awnings are accessorized with Somfy motion sensors.

The owner’s idea was to replace small market-style umbrellas with large retractable awnings to increase the seating area and use the patio without worrying about weather conditions. The existing umbrellas did not provide sufficient shade or rain protection.

The difficulty was to design and install a supporting structure to hold the two oversized awnings. To build a proper support, Rolltec Rolling Systems worked with engineers to calculate the wind loads. The wind capacity was a significant issue since the patio is elevated and the restaurant is located in an open area.

In addition to achieving the original objective of creating additional seating, the awnings also helped to significantly reduce air-conditioning costs during the summer. The fabric tops were made to complement existing interior colors of the restaurant and to create a comfortable atmosphere.