BASE Lite
Awnings.
Compact Done Right.
Our best-selling arm awning in a more compact package. The BASE Lite delivers professional-grade sun protection with a fully enclosed cassette system — available in manual or motorised operation for homes and businesses alike.
available
How it works
Professional shade in a neat, compact cassette
The BASE Lite is a retractable arm awning with a fully enclosed cassette. When the awning is retracted, the fabric and mechanism fold back into a neat aluminium housing mounted to your wall or fascia. Two articulated arms extend when you open it, pushing the canopy outward and holding the fabric under tension at a fixed pitch. The result is a clear, stable shaded area with no poles or supports cluttering the space below.
Unlike the larger BASE Plus, the Lite is designed for installations where a more compact footprint is needed — tighter wall spaces, lower fascia heights, or situations where a full-width awning would be too visually dominant. It gives you the same cassette protection and the same arm mechanism, scaled down to fit more situations.
- Cassette protects fabric and mechanism
When retracted, the fabric rolls back into the fully enclosed cassette. This keeps it clean, dry, and protected from UV damage during bad weather or periods of non-use.
- Open or closed in seconds
The folding arm mechanism deploys quickly and holds position reliably. With the motorised option, you extend or retract the whole canopy with a single button press.
- Top or face fixed to suit your building
The BASE Lite can be mounted to the top of a wall or face-fixed directly to a flat surface. This flexibility means it works on more building types than awnings with a fixed mounting style.
What sets it apart
Professional grade, compact fit
Six things that make the BASE Lite different from a standard awning — and why it's our best-selling model.
Fully enclosed cassette
The fabric and mechanism are completely enclosed when retracted. Many budget arm awnings leave the fabric partially exposed — that means it weathers faster, fades sooner, and collects grime. The BASE Lite cassette keeps everything protected.
Manual or motorised operation
Choose a hand-crank manual system for simplicity, or upgrade to full motorisation. The motorised version runs from a remote control or wall switch and can be integrated into smart home and home automation systems.
Three projection options
Three arm length options let you choose how far the canopy projects from the wall. A shorter projection suits narrower spaces; a longer one creates a bigger shaded area. We'll advise on the right option during the free home survey.
Top or face fixed
Unlike awnings that only mount one way, the BASE Lite can be top-fixed (to a soffit or overhang) or face-fixed (directly to a wall). That makes it usable on a wider range of buildings, including properties where the wall structure doesn't suit standard fixing.
Residential and commercial use
The BASE Lite is used on garden patios and decks as readily as it is on retail frontages and café entrances. The mechanism and fabric specification are the same regardless of whether it's going on a house or a shop.
Widths from 1910mm to 4000mm
The BASE Lite is made to measure within a 1910mm to 4000mm width range — wide enough to cover a standard set of patio doors or a retail entrance, without being so large it dominates the building.
Three projections.
One awning, your space.
How far your awning projects from the wall determines the size of the shaded area below. The BASE Lite comes in three arm length options so you can match the projection to your outdoor space — not the other way around.
- Shortest reachShort
Short Projection
The shortest arm length option. Ideal where wall space is limited — near a corner, beside a door frame, or under a low overhang. Creates a compact but usable shaded area directly below the cassette.
- Most popularStandard
Standard Projection
The most commonly specified option. Covers a standard patio set comfortably and suits most residential gardens. A good balance between reach and structural load on the wall fixings.
- Maximum reachExtended
Extended Projection
The longest arm option — pushes the canopy furthest from the wall for maximum coverage of larger outdoor areas. Well-suited to wide decking, commercial terraces, and retail frontages where shade depth matters.
Top Fixed or Face Fixed — we'll advise at survey
Both mounting styles are available on the BASE Lite. The right choice depends on your wall type, the height of the fixing point, and the structural material behind the surface. Our surveyor will assess the wall on the day and recommend the appropriate fixing method before any work begins.
Fabric & colour options
Standard white. Or make it yours.
The BASE Lite comes as standard in 9010 White acrylic — a clean, neutral finish that suits almost any property. A broader range of solid colours and classic stripes is also available. We'll bring fabric samples to the survey.
- Standard
9010 White
The standard colour for the BASE Lite. A clean, slightly warm white acrylic that reflects heat and looks neat on almost any building type — domestic or commercial.
- Optional
Cream & Ivory
A slightly warmer tone than white. Works well on older stone or brick properties where pure white can look too stark. Popular choice for period homes in the North East.
- Optional
Classic Stripe
Traditional awning stripe patterns in a range of colour combinations. Particularly popular for retail frontages, café canopies, and period residential properties where a classic look is wanted.
- Optional
Anthracite & Dark Tones
Dark solid colours — including anthracite, charcoal, and deep grey — for contemporary properties and commercial settings where a modern, understated look is preferred.
Powder-coated to match your building
The BASE Lite cassette and arms are powder-coated in your chosen colour. Most installations use RAL 9010 Pure White.
- RAL 9010 Pure White
Built for a wide range of settings
From back gardens to shop fronts — six situations where the BASE Lite does the job well.
- 01
Residential patios and decking
The most common installation. The BASE Lite shades a patio table and chairs comfortably, without needing a massive projection. The compact cassette sits neatly above a door or window when not in use.
- 02
Patio doors and bi-fold openings
Fitted above a set of patio doors, the BASE Lite reduces the glare and solar heat gain through the glass while keeping the outdoor area usable when the sun is strong. Widths from 1910mm suit most standard opening sizes.
- 03
Retail storefronts and shopfronts
The BASE Lite is regularly fitted above retail windows and shop entrances to protect merchandise from sun damage and keep the doorway comfortable for customers in warm weather. The commercial-grade cassette handles daily cycling well.
- 04
Café and restaurant outdoor seating
Where an outdoor seating area needs shade but a full-width awning would be too dominant, the BASE Lite covers a section of tables without overwhelming the frontage. Multiple units can be fitted side by side for larger spaces.
- 05
Offices and commercial premises
Fitted above south-facing glazing, the BASE Lite can reduce solar glare inside the office and lower air conditioning demand on warm days. Face fixing suits most commercial building exteriors without requiring soffits or overhangs.
- 06
Properties with limited wall space
The minimum 1910mm width and compact cassette profile make the BASE Lite workable on properties where a larger awning wouldn't fit — narrow terrace houses, properties with close neighbours, and walls with limited clearance either side.
BASE Awning Range
Explore the full range
BASE Lite
Professional-grade cassette arm awning in a compact format. Widths 1910–4000mm, three projections, top or face fixed.
BASE Plus
Our flagship arm awning for larger spaces. Stainless steel chain link arms, wider width range, optional integrated LED lighting.
BASE Box
Full box cassette design with complete all-round fabric and mechanism protection. Clean modern profile for contemporary properties.
View All Awnings
Browse the complete awning range — from compact residential models to full commercial canopy systems, all fitted by our own team.
What our customers say
"Had the BASE Lite fitted above our patio doors last summer. The cassette is really neat when it's closed — you barely notice it's there. Extends and retracts smoothly and the white fabric is still bright after a full season. Very pleased with the whole thing."
"We had the motorised version put on the front of our café in Harrogate. The surveyor was straightforward about what projection would work for our entrance and didn't try to oversell us. It goes up and down reliably, which is what you need when you're opening and closing every day."
"We couldn't fit a larger awning because the wall space was tight — Homefair recommended the BASE Lite and it was exactly right. Good shade depth, the stripe fabric looks smart, and the fitting was done cleanly with no fuss. Would recommend."
BASE Lite FAQs
Answers to the questions we hear most often. If yours isn't here, call us — we're happy to talk it through before you book a survey.
What's the difference between BASE Lite and BASE Plus?
The BASE Lite is a more compact version of the arm awning designed for tighter installations and smaller outdoor spaces, with widths up to 4000mm. The BASE Plus covers wider spans and has a stainless steel chain link arm system designed for heavier-duty use and larger commercial applications. Both use a fully enclosed cassette and are available in manual or motorised operation. We'll recommend the right one during the survey once we've seen the space.
What does "projection" mean and how do I choose the right one?
Projection is how far the canopy extends outward from the wall when the awning is open. A longer projection means a deeper shaded area — useful for covering a full table and chairs. A shorter projection suits spaces with limited clearance or where you only need to shade a narrow strip. The BASE Lite has three projection options. At the home survey, we'll measure the space and discuss which projection will give you the coverage you need.
Can I have the BASE Lite motorised?
Yes. The motorised option uses an electric tubular motor to extend and retract the awning. It can be operated by a handheld remote control, a wall-mounted switch, or connected to an existing smart home or home automation system. The manual version uses a hand crank. If you're unsure which suits your situation, the surveyor can advise — both options are available at the point of order.
Is the BASE Lite suitable for commercial buildings?
Yes. The BASE Lite is used on retail frontages, café entrances, and offices as well as residential properties. The cassette mechanism and fabric specification are commercial-grade. For very high-traffic commercial settings — where the awning will be cycled many times per day — we'd also discuss the BASE Plus, which has a heavier-duty arm system. We'll assess the use case at survey stage.
What is top fixing vs face fixing?
Top fixing means the awning cassette is mounted to a horizontal surface above — such as a soffit, fascia board, or overhang. Face fixing means it's mounted directly to a flat vertical wall surface. The BASE Lite supports both. Which method we use depends on the building: the height and material of the fixing point, the wall construction, and the angle that works best for the projection. Our surveyor will assess this at the home survey and recommend the appropriate method.
How do I clean the awning fabric?
Allow the fabric to dry before retracting the awning — closing it wet can cause mildew to develop inside the cassette. For cleaning, brush off loose debris with a soft brush, then sponge the fabric with a mild soap solution and warm water. Rinse well and let it dry fully in the open position before closing. Avoid pressure washing, as this can damage the fabric's acrylic coating and stitching.
Can the BASE Lite be used in rain?
The acrylic fabric will resist light drizzle, but the BASE Lite is not designed to be left out in heavy rainfall. It provides shade from sun and shelter from light showers — it's not a waterproof canopy. In heavy rain or wind, retract the awning. Leaving it extended in strong winds can stress the arm mechanism and wall fixings. For very exposed locations, we'd discuss this during the survey and advise on wind resistance ratings.
What happens at the free home survey?
One of our team visits you at home, assesses the wall and fixing point, measures the space, and advises on the right projection and mounting style for your situation. We'll bring fabric samples so you can see the colour options in natural light. You'll get a fixed price on the day — no follow-up calls with hidden extras. There's no obligation to go ahead if it's not right for you.
Ready to make the most of your outdoor space?
Book a free home survey across North East and North West England. We'll measure up, bring fabric samples, and give you a fixed price on the day — no obligation, no surprises.
Free survey · Fixed price quoted on the day · No obligation