We install balcony awnings in all their types: cassette, semi-cassette, open-sided, vertical and marquisolette. Each system is made to measure according to the space, orientation and available fixing type.
Solutions for any dimension, from narrow balconies to large penthouse terraces. Systems with wall, ceiling or railing fixings to suit the building structure.
Measurement, manufacturing and installation carried out by our technical team in Barcelona and Madrid. No intermediaries. Manufacturer's warranty with our own after-sales service.
Technical data sheets, BIM files in Revit (.rfa) and IFC formats available in our BIM Library for direct incorporation into your project.
A cassette awning stores the fabric completely inside a housing when retracted, protecting it from dust, rain and sun. It is the most durable option with the highest aesthetic quality. A non-cassette awning leaves the fabric visible when retracted — more economical, suitable for balconies with a tight budget or seasonal use.
Articulated-arm awnings cast horizontal shade
over the balcony floor — ideal when the sun strikes
from above. Vertical balcony awnings
act as a front or side screen, blocking low sun and
wind. On many balconies both systems are combined.
The motor is especially recommended for balconies with difficult access or penthouse installations. Markilux motorised systems include a remote control and are compatible with wind and rain sensors that retract the awning automatically. Manual operation is suitable for small balconies with frequent use.
When no wall is available or the residents’ association restricts fixings, there are balustrade-mounted systems that require no building work. For permanent installations and greater stability, wall or ceiling fixing is always the preferred option. Our technical team assesses the structure during the measuring visit.
Models in the Markilux range with a wind sensor retract automatically in strong gusts. For highly exposed balconies or upper floors, we recommend complementing with a vertical awning or drop-arm awning that acts as a lateral windbreak, increasing the overall resistance of the system.
All systems are made to measure and installed by our own technical team in Barcelona and Madrid.
The box awning for balconies stores the fabric completely within an aluminium housing when retracted. It protects the cloth from dust, rain, and UV radiation, significantly extending its service life. It is the most highly regarded system for permanent installations, penthouses, and high-end properties. Available with motorisation, wind and rain sensor, and bespoke finishes.
When sunlight strikes from the front or sides, or when a
windbreak is needed for a balcony, a
vertical awning is the correct solution. It acts as a roller screen
that descends from the ceiling or the top of the balcony rail.
Particularly useful on west-facing balconies or on upper floors
exposed to wind. Compatible with lateral guides
for added stability.
Our technical team visits, measures and installs. No middlemen. Free no-obligation quote.
Compact solutions for flat balconies in urban buildings. Cassette or vertical systems with wall or railing fixings requiring no building work.
For rooftop terraces with high sun exposure. Larger-scale systems with motorisation, wind sensor, and premium finishes.
Balconies and terraces in single-family homes where aesthetic integration with the building's architecture takes priority. Complete customisation of colours and fabrics.
Awnings for bar and restaurant terraces with intensive use. Robust systems with professional motorisation and high-resistance fabrics approved for contract use.
The balcony is one of the most valued spaces in urban homes, but also one of the most difficult to protect from the sun. Unlike a large terrace, a balcony awning must adapt to limited dimensions, restricted fixing structures and, in many cases, the aesthetic restrictions imposed by the building’s residents’ association. At Cortinsa we have been resolving these installations in Barcelona and Madrid for over 40 years, using bespoke systems of German manufacture.
The range of balcony awnings is wider than it might appear. The most common system is the cassette awning with articulated arms, which projects horizontal shade onto the balcony floor and keeps the fabric protected when not in use. It is the most durable and aesthetically pleasing option, recommended for permanent installations on flats, penthouses and duplexes.
When a full cassette is not viable due to limited lintel space or building restrictions, the semi-cassette awning and the open-arm awning without cassette offer a functional alternative at a lower cost. The fabric remains partially exposed when retracted, but the result is still entirely professional with the correct models.
For balconies where the issue is lateral sun or wind, the appropriate solution is a vertical balcony awning. It acts as a retractable screen that descends from the top of the balustrade or the soffit, closing off the space in a controlled manner. Available with side guides for greater stability in exposed locations.
The marquisolette is another option specific to balconies: it is anchored above the window opening and projects shade directly onto the glass, reducing heat gain inside the property without occupying any space on the balcony.
One of the most frequent enquiries is how to install a balcony awning without an overhead structure, that is, when there is no upper soffit to anchor to. In these cases several solutions exist: direct fixing to the façade wall above the opening, systems with an awning arm anchored to the balustrade using specific connecting brackets, or self-supporting structures for cases where no structural fixing is possible.
The balustrade-mounted balcony awning has gained considerable ground in recent years, particularly in buildings where regulations do not permit drilling into the façade. These systems use clamps or brackets that fix to the handrail without any building work, while maintaining the strength and aesthetics of the overall installation. Our technical team assesses the feasibility of each type of fixing during the survey visit, at no additional cost.
A 3-metre balcony is perfectly compatible with a quality cassette awning. Entry-level Markilux models such as the 900 and the 990 are designed precisely for compact spaces, with slim-profile cassettes that do not compromise the aesthetics of the façade. For small balcony awnings on balconies of less than 2.5 metres, a marquisolette or a compact vertical awning are usually the most efficient solution.
On balconies of 4 metres or more, it becomes possible to install systems with greater projection and an extra sunshade, motorised with a wind sensor and with the full range of fabric and finish personalisation options from the Markilux premium range.
The balcony awning fabric must meet several requirements simultaneously: UV resistance to prevent degradation through solar exposure, sufficient permeability to prevent rainwater from pooling in the fabric, and a finish quality that holds up over time without distorting or fading. The Sunsilk and Sunvas fabric ranges from Markilux are specifically developed for façade installations, with anti-mould treatments and colour collections updated each season.
Unlike self-installation systems available at large retail stores, balcony awnings installed by Cortinsa are manufactured to the millimetre following an in-person technical survey. This guarantees a perfect fit to the balcony’s geometry, correct fixing to the building structure and a professional finish that does not compromise the warranty or the safety of the installation.
As official Markilux distributors in Barcelona and Madrid, we offer the complete range of models with full technical documentation, a maintenance service and the manufacturer’s warranty. If you are looking for awnings for balconies and terraces with installation included, request your free, no-obligation quote.
Bioclimatic pergolas and pergola awnings for terrace and garden.
Professional Glatz parasols, tensioned canopies and shade nets.
Cortinsa has been installing balcony awnings in Barcelona and the metropolitan area for over 40 years. We operate throughout the city, including the Eixample, Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, Gràcia, Sant Cugat and the Maresme and Garraf coastlines. In Madrid, we cover the capital and municipalities such as Pozuelo, Las Rozas, Majadahonda, Boadilla del Monte and La Moraleja.
Our technical team carries out the survey visit, installation and after-sales service with our own staff in both cities. No subcontractors. If you need a balcony awning in Barcelona or Madrid with a manufacturer’s guarantee and professional finish, contact us to request your free quote.
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Our work continues as usual: quotes and installations are unaffected.
From September 2026 you will find us at our new premises:
Carrer de l’Alzina, 2 — Polígono 13, 08870 Sitges
Phone numbers and email remain the same.