How to install a retractable awning yourself: step-by-step for Australian homes

A retractable awning is one of the more achievable DIY installations in the outdoor living category. With two people, the right fixings for your wall type, and a clear plan before you start, the Pergolux Awning can be up and working in around an hour.

This guide walks through every step — from calculating your installation height to adjusting the motor limits — so you know exactly what's involved before you pick up a drill.

Before you start: what you'll need

Tools required:

• Power drill
• 17mm spanner
• 4mm and 6mm hex keys (adjustable hex key included in the box)
• 14mm drill bit (for wall anchors)
• Stud finder or cable/pipe detector
• Spirit level
• Tape measure and pencil

Included in the box:

• Awning cassette with built-in motor and LED lighting
• Wall-mount brackets (2 or 3 depending on size — see table below)
• Remote control and mounting holder
• Manual hand crank
• Adjustable hex key
• All screws and fixings

You'll need to supply your own wall fixings — the correct type depends on your wall material (see Step 2 below).

Step 1: Choose your installation height

Getting the installation height right before you drill is the most important part of the whole job. There are three variables that interact:

1. Projection — how far your awning extends when fully open. The Pergolux Awning is available from 2.0m to 3.0m projection depending on the size you ordered.

2. Slope angle — the tilt of the awning when extended. A steeper angle sheds rain more effectively; a flatter angle gives more overhead clearance underneath. The Pergolux Awning adjusts between 5° and 25°.

3. Clearance — how much headroom you want under the front bar of the awning at its lowest point. A minimum of 2,100mm is recommended for comfortable use; 2,300mm+ is ideal if you want generous clearance.

The formula:

Installation height = Desired clearance + Required drop

The required drop depends on your projection and chosen slope. Use this table:

Projection	5° (flattest)	10°	15° (recommended)	20°	25° (steepest)
2.5m	434mm	647mm	855mm	1,057mm	1,250mm
3.0m	521mm	776mm	1,026mm	1,268mm	1,500mm
3.5m	608mm	906mm	1,197mm	1,479mm	1,750mm

Example: 3.0m projection, 15° slope, 2,200mm desired clearance under the front bar: 2,200mm + 1,026mm = 3,226mm installation height

Installation height is measured from the ground to the top of the wall bracket.

Mark this height on your wall with a pencil before moving to the next step.

Step 2: Choose the right wall fixings

The Pergolux Awning requires M12 fixings for masonry and steel, or 12mm heavy-duty wood screws for timber frames. The correct type depends on your wall:

Wall type	Fixing type	Size
Concrete	Expansion bolt	M12 × 160mm
Solid brick	Threaded rod + chemical resin	M12 × 160mm
Sand-lime brick	Threaded rod + chemical resin	M12 × 160mm
Timber frame	Heavy-duty wood screws	12 × 120mm
Steel structure	Threaded rod + chemical resin	M12 × 160mm
Hollow masonry (e.g. besser block)	Threaded rod + resin + sieve sleeve	M12 × 160mm
External insulation (e.g. over concrete)	M12 distance anchor + resin	e.g. 12/110
Aerated concrete (e.g. Hebel)	⚠️ Engineer review recommended	—
Natural stone	⚠️ Verify stone quality with a professional first	—

⚠️ Important: Use a stud finder or cable/pipe detector before drilling any hole. Hidden electrical cables and water pipes are a serious hazard — especially in older Australian homes where services may not follow current routing standards.

Step 3: Calculate your bracket positions

The brackets must be positioned symmetrically along the awning. The end brackets sit inboard from each end of the cassette — the recommended distance is 350mm from the end of the awning to the bracket flange (the red boundary on the bracket).

For a 2-bracket installation (awning widths up to 4.0m):

Awning size	Total width (W)	Centre-to-centre (X2)
3.0 × 2.0	2,935mm	1,935mm
3.0 × 2.5	2,935mm	1,935mm
3.5 × 2.5	3,495mm	2,495mm
3.5 × 3.0	3,495mm	2,495mm
4.0 × 2.5	3,935mm	2,935mm
4.0 × 3.0	3,935mm	2,935mm

For a 3-bracket installation (awning widths 5.0m):

Awning size	Total width (W)	Outer bracket centres (X1)	Inner bracket centre (X2)
5.0 × 2.5	4,935mm	1,892.5mm from end	3,935mm
5.0 × 3.0	4,935mm	1,892.5mm from end	3,935mm

Mark all bracket hole positions on the wall at your calculated installation height. Use a spirit level to confirm they're perfectly horizontal — an unlevel installation will result in an uneven front bar that's difficult to correct after the fact.

Each bracket requires two fixing holes, spaced 120mm apart vertically and 90mm apart horizontally.

Step 4: Adjust the bracket angle before drilling

Each bracket has an adjusting bolt that sets the tilt angle of the awning. Adjust this before mounting — it's much easier to do on the ground than at height.

Use the 6mm hex key to set the bolt position (measured as the distance from the bracket reference surface to the end of the adjusting bolt):

Angle	Bolt position (Z)
25°	0.5cm
20°	1.6cm
15°	2.75cm
10°	3.9cm
5°	4.5cm

Set all brackets to the same position before mounting. Don't fully tighten the locking nut at this stage — you'll fine-tune the angle after the awning is hung (Step 7).

Step 5: Drill and fix the brackets

With your positions marked and brackets pre-adjusted:

1. Drill holes to the correct depth for your fixing type (typically 160mm for M12 masonry anchors)
2. Install your wall anchors or resin fixings as per the manufacturer's instructions — resin anchors require a specified cure time before loading, typically 20–60 minutes depending on the product and temperature
3. Mount the brackets and tighten fully with a 17mm spanner
4. Double-check all brackets are at exactly the same height using a spirit level

Step 6: Hang the awning

This step requires at least 2 people — 3 for the 5.0m models. The cassette is heavy and must be supported throughout.

1. Lift the awning cassette into position, aligning the mounting slots on the cassette with the bracket hooks
2. Slide the cassette onto the brackets from below — it will click or engage into the bracket slots
3. Insert and tighten the locking screws to secure the cassette to each bracket
4. Do not release until all brackets are secured

Step 7: Adjust the tilt and level the front bar

With the awning hung, extend it partially (about 50cm out from the wall) to take the tension off the arms — this is the easiest position for tilt adjustment.

To adjust tilt:

• Turn the 6mm hex key counterclockwise on the bracket adjusting bolt to raise the front bar (increase slope)
• Turn clockwise to lower the front bar (reduce slope)
• Adjust one bracket at a time
• After each adjustment, tighten the locking nut and check the front bar with a spirit level
• Fine-tune each bracket individually until the front bar is level and the awning sits at your chosen angle

If the awning appears to slope to one side, raise the lower side until it aligns horizontally with the higher side.

Step 8: Connect power and set up the motor

⚠️ Electrical connection must be carried out by a licensed electrician in Australia. Do not attempt to wire the awning to mains power yourself — this is a legal requirement under AS/NZS 3000 (the Australian Wiring Rules). The electrician will connect the awning's power cable to a suitable weatherproof GPO or hardwired connection.

Once power is connected:

1. Test the remote control — the indicator light flashes when a signal is sent
2. Press the Down (▼) button to extend the awning fully
3. Press the Up (▲) button to retract it fully
4. Check that the front bar closes flush against the cassette without being forced
5. Check that the fabric is smooth and taut when fully extended — no sagging or bunching

Remote control range: up to 20m through walls; up to 200m in open air.

Remote control functions:

Button	Function
▲ (Up)	Retract / close the awning
■ (Stop)	Stop mid-travel
▼ (Down)	Extend / open the awning
✦ (Light)	Toggle the integrated LED lighting on/off

To mount the remote holder: choose an indoor location, use a stud finder to check for cables or pipes, drill two holes, insert the supplied plastic anchors, and fix the holder with the provided screws.

Step 9: Set up manual override

In the event of a power outage, the awning can be operated with the included manual hand crank via the swing hook on the cassette.

Important: Always press the Stop (■) button on the remote before using the manual crank, and again after finishing manual operation. This prevents the motor from trying to auto-correct the awning's position when power is restored.

Ongoing maintenance

• Cleaning: wipe metal surfaces with a slightly damp cloth; no solvents or abrasive cleaners
• Wet fabric: never retract the awning while the fabric is wet — always allow it to dry naturally first to prevent mould growth inside the cassette
• Wind: retract the awning in conditions exceeding Wind Resistance Class 2 — the Pergolux Awning is certified to this rating (EN 13561). In Australian coastal locations with regular strong winds, consider enabling automatic wind retraction if supported by your motor configuration
• Not in use: always retract when not in use, including overnight and when leaving the property

For more information and to find out about maintenance, cleaning and troubleshooting, please visit www.pergolux.app

FAQ

Do I need an electrician to install the awning? Yes. Connecting the awning motor to mains power must be done by a licensed electrician in Australia — this is a legal requirement under AS/NZS 3000. The physical mounting of the cassette and brackets is a standard DIY task; the electrical connection is not.

How many people do I need for installation? A minimum of 2 for all sizes. 3 people is recommended for 5.0m-wide models — the cassette is heavier and needs consistent support while being hung on the brackets.

Can I install an awning on a timber-framed house? Yes — use heavy-duty 12 × 120mm wood screws fixed into the timber studs behind the cladding. Use a stud finder to locate the studs before marking your bracket positions. Do not fix into cladding alone.

What if I have Hebel (aerated concrete) walls? Aerated concrete has different load characteristics to standard masonry. The Pergolux installation guide recommends an engineer review for this wall type before installation — contact a structural engineer or a qualified builder for advice specific to your wall.

How high should I mount the awning? This depends on your chosen slope angle and how much clearance you want under the front bar. Use the calculation in Step 1 — the formula is: installation height = desired clearance + required drop. A desired clearance of 2,200mm at a 15° slope with a 3.0m projection gives an installation height of 3,226mm from ground level.

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Want to read more? See our guides on retractable awning vs pergola, what is UPF 50+ fabric and why it matters in Australia, and build your own alfresco.