AWNINGS
Installation of bespoke awnings for terraces, balconies and façades. Cassette, vertical, veranda and open-roll systems installed by our technical team in Barcelona and Madrid.
AWNINGS
Why a Cortinsa awning is different
Cassette systems with total fabric protection
The box awning protects the fabric when retracted: no exposure to the elements, no UV degradation, no accumulation of dirt. Greater durability and less maintenance over the years.
Each awning is manufactured to the exact measurements of the space. From balcony awnings of 2 metres to large-format installations for corporate façades and hospitality projects.
Technical visit, design, manufacture and installation by our own team in Barcelona and Madrid. No subcontractors. No surprises. With official Markilux installer warranty.
Revit, IFC and CAD details available in our BIM Library. Technical data sheets with solar factor for specification in architecture or engineering projects.
BUYING GUIDE
What type of awning do you need? A guide to choosing the right system
Cassette awning, semi-cassette or open awning?
A full-cassette awning fully encloses the fabric when retracted: it is the most durable option and offers the highest technical quality. A semi-cassette awning partially covers the fabric with an upper box: a balance between protection and cost. An open-cassette awning leaves the fabric exposed when retracted: the most economical option, suitable for low-wind locations and intensive seasonal use.
Awning for terrace, balcony or window?
For large-area terrace awnings we recommend motorised cassette systems with wind sensors. For balcony awnings the priority is aesthetic integration and ease of use. For window awnings vertical systems with side guides offer the greatest control of light and privacy with minimal installation space.
Motorised or manual?
For residential or professional use?
In residential properties the priority criteria are aesthetic integration, ease of use and light control. In hospitality, restaurants and corporate projects the criteria are dimensions, certified wind resistance, guaranteed impermeability and modular installation to cover large surface areas. For professional use we always recommend a bioclimatic pergola with EN 13561 certification.
Which fabric is the most suitable?
The microperforated fabrics allow you to see outside with the awning extended and reduce the sail effect in the wind. Opaque fabrics offer greater solar protection and privacy. For façade use or prolonged sun exposure, we recommend fabrics with certified anti-UV treatment and an openness factor suited to the orientation of the space.
Types of awnings available
Find the system that best suits your space. Each type includes a full technical datasheet, motorisation options and documentation for professional specification.
Cassette Awnings
Articulated arm system with full protective cassette. The most advanced Markilux range for terraces.
Semi-Cassette Awnings
Partial fabric protection with upper cassette. Balance between technical quality and installation cost.
Awnings Without Cassette
Articulated arm system without cassette. Cost-effective solution for sheltered spaces and seasonal use.
Veranda Awnings
Lateral guide system with tensioned canvas. Total protection against wind and rain for enclosed terraces.
Vertical Awnings
Motorised external screen for façade, window and side enclosure. Light control and privacy.
Lateral Awnings
Lateral protection for terraces exposed to wind or afternoon sun. Guide system with tensioned canvas.
What is the most suitable system for your project?
Cassette awning, for those seeking the highest quality and durability
The Markilux box awning is the reference system for high-end installations. The fabric is fully protected inside the cassette when retracted: no exposure to the elements, no UV degradation, no dust accumulation. Available in motorised version with wind and rain sensor, integrated LED lighting and finishes in all RAL colours. It is the preferred system for luxury residential terraces, penthouses, hospitality projects and corporate façades where aesthetics and durability are paramount. We stock 10 Markilux box models with varying dimensions and technical specifications.
Veranda awning, for those who need total protection against wind and rain
The veranda awning is a canvas system with lateral guides that creates a partial or full enclosure for the terrace. Unlike the articulated arm awning, the canvas is guided by side rails that keep it taut even in strong winds. It is the most common solution for exposed terraces, high-level balconies, and projects requiring protection against lateral rain. The Markilux Veranda range includes models with drops of up to 8 metres and glazing options for full winter enclosure.
Vertical awning, for façade, window and technical enclosure
The Markilux vertical awning is a motorised exterior screen installed over windows, façades, and lateral enclosures. Its primary function is to control direct solar radiation before it enters the building interior: it reduces summer heat gain by up to 80%, improving the property’s energy efficiency. It is the reference system for façade solar protection in architectural projects, office buildings, and homes with large glazed surfaces. We offer 8 vertical Markilux models, including systems with tracfix guide rails and integrated panoramic windows.
Do you want a made-to-measure awning for your terrace?
Our technical team visits your space in Barcelona or Madrid, takes measurements and prepares a personalised project with no obligation within 24 hours.
Leading awning manufacturers
Hospitality and catering
Luxury residential
Offices and corporate spaces
Singular projects
Bespoke awning installation: types, systems and professional solutions
A bespoke awning is far more than a decorative element: it is a technical solar protection solution that regulates indoor temperature, reduces the building’s energy consumption and extends the effective use of terraces, balconies and façades throughout the year. At Cortinsa we have been official Markilux installers in Barcelona and Madrid for more than four decades, with our own technical teams and no subcontracting.
Awning installation requires a precise technical process: site visit, measurement, selection of the appropriate system, bespoke manufacturing and commissioning. Not all awnings are alike, nor are they installed in the same way. Choosing the correct system according to orientation, wind exposure and intended use is decisive for the durability and performance of the installation.
Types of awnings: a complete guide by system
The most common types of awnings in professional installation are classified according to the fabric protection mechanism and the anchoring system. The cassette awning is the highest-quality system: the fabric is stored inside an aluminium box when retracted, protected from the weather and UV radiation. It is the recommended system for terrace awnings used intensively and for high-specification projects.
The semi-cassette awning offers partial fabric protection with a top box open at the front. It is the balance between technical quality and installation cost. The open-roll awning — also known as an arm awning — leaves the fabric exposed when retracted: the most economical option for sheltered spaces and seasonal use. For small balcony awnings or windows, the open-roll awning is frequently the most suitable solution owing to its slim profile and ease of installation.
Veranda awnings are side-guided systems that allow a terrace to be partially or fully enclosed. The fabric is guided by lateral channels that keep it taut even in wind, making them the preferred solution for exposed terraces and elevated balconies. Vertical awnings are motorised exterior screens for façades and windows: the most efficient system for controlling solar radiation in buildings with large glazed surfaces.
Technical fabrics: microperforated, opaque and screen
The choice of fabric is as important as the choice of system. Microperforated fabrics maintain outward visibility with the awning deployed and reduce the sail effect in wind. Opaque fabrics offer maximum light control and privacy. Solar screen textiles are designed specifically for UV radiation control on technical façades: they allow natural light to pass through whilst blocking heat, improving the building’s energy efficiency in accordance with the Technical Building Code.
Awning installation in Barcelona and Madrid: process and guarantees
Our awning installation process includes a technical site visit, advice on the most suitable system, bespoke manufacturing at the Markilux factory and commissioning by our own team. As official Markilux installers, we offer manufacturer’s warranty on all components and post-installation technical service in Barcelona, Madrid and the metropolitan area. For architecture and engineering projects, we provide complete technical documentation: data sheets with certified solar factor, BIM files in Revit and IFC format and CAD construction details.
Discover other sun-protection systems
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Awning installation in Barcelona and Madrid
In Barcelona we install bespoke awnings throughout the metropolitan area: Eixample, Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, Gràcia, Sant Cugat, Castelldefels and the Costa Garraf. We are the reference installer for hospitality projects on Barcelona’s seafront, awnings for corporate buildings in the 22@ district and terrace awnings for high-end residences along the Diagonal-Pedralbes axis. If you are looking for awnings near you in Barcelona, our team is available with a response in under 24 hours.
In Madrid we cover the capital and the main residential and business areas: Salamanca, Chamberí, La Moraleja, Pozuelo de Alarcón, Las Rozas and the Henares corridor. Awning installation in Madrid for hospitality venues in the city centre, cassette awnings for detached homes in the north-west sierra and vertical awnings for corporate façades in the CBD.
Cortinsa has been installing sun-protection systems in Spain for over forty years. Official Markilux installers with our own technical team, no subcontracting and manufacturer’s warranty on all systems. Request a no-obligation technical visit.
Frequently asked questions about awnings
What is the difference between a box awning, semi-box awning, and open-cassette awning?
A full-cassette awning protects the fabric completely inside an aluminium housing when retracted: it is the highest-quality and most durable system, ideal for intensive use and prolonged exposure to the elements. A semi-cassette awning covers the fabric with a top housing open at the front: a balance between protection and cost. An open-roll awning leaves the fabric exposed when retracted: the most economical option, suitable for sheltered spaces and seasonal use.
How much does it cost to install a 3-metre awning?
The installation price of a 3-metre awning depends on the chosen system — box, semi-box or open — the type of fabric, motorisation and the specific installation conditions. Every project is different: orientation, installation height and personalised finishes all directly affect the final quote. Our team carries out a no-obligation technical visit in Barcelona and Madrid to prepare a quote tailored to your space. Request your technical visit here.
Do I need permission to install an awning on my terrace?
In most municipalities in Catalonia and the Community of Madrid, the installation of an awning on a private terrace does not require a major building permit. A prior notification to the local council may be required if the property is in an area of urban protection or if the awning modifies the building’s façade. In residents’ associations, it is common for the bylaws to regulate the permitted colour and model. Our team provides advice on the specific requirements before commencing any installation.
Is a motorised or manual awning better?
Motorisation is recommended for awnings exceeding 3 metres of projection or those exposed to wind. Motorised systems with wind and rain sensors retract the awning automatically in adverse conditions, protecting the installation even when the user is absent. For smaller awnings in sheltered spaces, manual operation is a valid option with a lower initial cost. In either case, motorisation extends the service life of the awning by preventing it from being left open accidentally.
What is the most suitable fabric for my awning?
Micro-perforated fabrics maintain the view to the outside with the awning extended and reduce the sail effect in wind: ideal for terraces where filtered light is desired. Opaque fabrics offer maximum light control and privacy. Solar screen fabrics are designed for UV radiation control on technical façades: they block heat whilst allowing natural light through. The choice depends on the orientation of the space, the intended use, and the aesthetic requirements of the project.
How long does a well-installed Markilux awning last?
A correctly installed Markilux cassette awning with basic annual maintenance has a service life of between 15 and 25 years for the aluminium structure. The fabric, being exposed to the elements, has a service life of between 8 and 15 years depending on the quality of the cloth, orientation, and usage. Markilux offers a manufacturer’s warranty on all mechanical components and an extensive network of official distributors such as Cortinsa for the supply of replacement parts.
Can I specify a Cortinsa awning in an architecture project?
Yes. We have BIM files in Revit (.rfa) and IFC format, CAD construction details and technical data sheets with certified solar factor for all Markilux systems we install. All documentation is available free of charge in our BIM Library for registered architects, engineers and interior designers. We also provide technical advice during the specification phase and attendance at site coordination meetings for large-scale projects.
COMPLETED PROJECTS
Real Cortinsa installations in Barcelona and Madrid
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