What the Warema K55 does differently
The Warema K55 cassette awning solves a shading challenge that wall-mounted projection awnings cannot address. Conventional awnings fix to the building facade and project outward at a pitch — they shade the area immediately in front of the wall but cannot cover outdoor spaces that extend beyond their projection limit. The K55 works differently. Its motorised fabric extends horizontally on tensioned guide rails across the full footprint of the frame structure, creating a flat, taut fabric ceiling above the entire outdoor area below. Consequently, terraces set away from the building, pool decks, garden dining areas and freestanding garden structures can all be shaded without any connection to the building facade whatsoever.
Cassette protection and retractability
When not in use, the K55 fabric retracts fully into a compact aluminium cassette headbox at one end of the frame. The cassette encloses the fabric, the drive mechanism and the winding assembly completely — protecting every component from UV degradation, rain ingress and contamination year-round. Furthermore, this retractability is the primary advantage over a fixed pergola canopy or louvre roof system. On a cool, overcast day the fabric retracts in seconds, opening the outdoor space entirely to the sky. On a hot afternoon, it extends equally quickly to provide near-complete overhead shade across the full frame footprint. The transition between states requires no physical intervention from the occupant — the motor handles everything.
Wind sensing and structural integrity
Wind sensors are integrated as standard on every K55 installation we carry out. This is not an optional comfort feature — it is a structural engineering requirement specific to overhead horizontal fabric systems. A horizontal fabric panel presents a significantly larger effective surface area to lateral wind gusts than a pitched projection awning at the same wind speed. As a result, the wind load transmitted to the frame structure and ground fixings is considerably greater. The integrated anemometer monitors wind speed continuously and triggers automatic retraction before the load reaches the design threshold, protecting the guide rails, the drive mechanism and — on freestanding installations — the post foundations. We set the retraction threshold during commissioning to the specific exposure and frame configuration of every installation.
Smart home integration and the complete Warema scheme
The K55 operates within the Warema WMS (Warema Motion System) platform as standard, providing app control on iPhone and Android, scene programming, group operation and sensor-triggered automation. Moreover, it integrates with KNX, Crestron, Control4, Savant and other building management systems via the WMS interface. On properties where the K55 operates alongside Warema 550 projection awnings and Warema external Venetian blinds, all systems can be incorporated into a single co-ordinated daily programme — the K55 extending over the pool terrace, the 550 shading the principal terrace and the external Venetian blinds adjusting on the glazed facade, all responding to the same sun sensor data simultaneously. As an authorised Warema dealer, we supply, specify and install the K55 across Poole, Sandbanks, Canford Cliffs, Bournemouth and the wider Dorset and South Coast area, including structural engineering co-ordination for freestanding installations and full electrical commissioning at handover.
Key Features
-Horizontal overhead shading — full frame footprint
-Freestanding and wall-mounted configurations
-Integrated aluminium cassette headbox
-Fabric fully enclosed when retracted
-Guide rail tensioning — fabric flat and taut
-Motorised drive — progressive start and stop
-Wind sensor integrated as standard
-Automatic retraction at wind speed threshold
-Sun sensor — automatic deployment available
-Warema WMS app and smart home integration
-KNX, Crestron, Control4, Savant compatible
-Comprehensive acrylic fabric range
-Extensive RAL powder-coat frame colours
-Fabric matched to Warema 50 and 550 range
-Structural engineering co-ordination available
-Suitable for pools, terraces and garden structures
-Coastal and exposed location specification
-Authorised Warema supply and installation
System: Warema K55 motorised cassette pergola awning — overhead horizontal retractable shading system.
Configuration options: freestanding aluminium post structure (two-post or four-post); wall-mounted aluminium frame. Cassette: compact powder-coated aluminium headbox — fabric, drive mechanism and winding assembly fully enclosed when retracted. Fabric system: horizontal guide rail tensioning — fabric extends and retracts along side-mounted aluminium guide rails within frame structure; fabric maintained flat and taut at full extension. Drive: motorised tubular drive — progressive start and stop; confirm motor specification and duty cycle with our team at survey stage. Wind sensor: anemometer integrated as standard on all motorised K55 installations — continuous wind speed monitoring; automatic fabric retraction above set threshold; threshold set during commissioning to installation-specific exposure. Sun sensor: pyranometer — optional; automatic deployment above set solar irradiance threshold; confirm sensor placement and orientation at design stage. Smart home: Warema WMS platform — Warema app (iOS and Android); remote handset; wall switch; scene programming; group operation; sensor-triggered automation. BMS integration: KNX; Crestron; Control4; Savant; other platforms via WMS interface — confirm protocol and driver at specification stage. Fabric: solution-dyed acrylic — UV-stable; weather-resistant; consistent collection with Warema 50 and 550; wide pattern and plain colour range. Confirm specific fabric reference with our team. Frame finish: powder-coated aluminium — extensive RAL range; colour-matched to Warema 50 and 550 on same property where required. Structural note — freestanding: post foundation design required; structural engineer assessment recommended; our team provides Warema structural loading data for engineer’s use. Structural note — wall-mounted: fixing substrate confirmed during design stage survey; our team specifies fixing type and pattern. Electrical: mains 230V supply to drive unit — cable route confirmed during pre-installation site survey; M&E contractor installs to our confirmed specification. Installation sequence: structural fixing / post foundation → M&E first fix → Warema K55 installation → sensor calibration → WMS / BMS commissioning → handover demonstration. Suitable applications: residential pool terraces; garden dining structures; large terraces beyond projection awning reach; freestanding garden shade structures; commercial outdoor dining areas; hospitality terraces. Supply and installation available across Poole, Bournemouth, Sandbanks, Canford Cliffs, Christchurch, Salisbury and the wider Dorset, Hampshire and South Coast area. NBS specification text, Warema structural loading data, fabric swatches, RAL colour chart and product data sheets available on request from our specification team.
FAQ
What is the Warema K55 cassette awning?
The Warema K55 is a motorised cassette pergola awning providing retractable overhead horizontal shading for terraces, pool decks, garden dining areas and outdoor structures. Unlike a conventional wall-mounted projection awning, the K55 extends its fabric horizontally above the full footprint of the frame — not outward from a wall at a pitch. The fabric retracts completely into a compact aluminium cassette headbox when not required. Wind sensor automation is integrated as standard, and the system operates within the Warema WMS smart home platform. It is available in freestanding and wall-mounted configurations. We supply and install the Warema K55 across Poole, Sandbanks, Canford Cliffs, Bournemouth and the wider Dorset and South Coast area as an authorised Warema dealer.
Why is a wind sensor required on the Warema K55?
Wind loading on a horizontal overhead fabric panel is significantly greater than on a pitched projection awning at the same wind speed. A horizontal fabric presents a larger effective surface area perpendicular to lateral gusts, and the structural moment acting on the frame and its fixings is considerably increased compared with a conventional awning at the same wind speed. Automatic retraction is therefore an engineering requirement on the K55 — not an optional feature. The integrated anemometer monitors wind speed continuously and retracts the fabric before the load reaches the design threshold, protecting the guide rails, the drive mechanism and the post foundations on freestanding installations. We set the retraction threshold during commissioning to the specific exposure rating, frame configuration and foundation specification of each installation. On coastal and elevated sites in Dorset — Sandbanks, Canford Cliffs and the Bournemouth seafront — we apply a higher default threshold in recognition of the greater wind exposure at these locations.
Can the Warema K55 be integrated with a smart home or BMS system?
Yes. The K55 operates within the Warema WMS platform as standard, providing app control on iPhone and Android, scene programming, group operation across multiple awnings, and sensor-triggered automation. For integration with KNX, Crestron, Control4, Savant and other building management systems, the WMS interface provides the appropriate connection — we confirm the compatible protocol and driver at the specification stage and work directly with AV integrators and BMS engineers on wiring co-ordination and commissioning. On properties where the K55 operates alongside Warema 550 projection awnings and Warema external Venetian blinds, all systems can be incorporated into a single co-ordinated solar management programme responding to the same sun and wind sensor data simultaneously.
What fabrics and frame colours are available for the Warema K55?
The K55 uses the same solution-dyed acrylic fabric collection as the Warema 50 and 550 — a comprehensive range of plain and patterned fabrics in colours suited to both contemporary and traditional architecture. All fabrics are UV-stable and weather-resistant for year-round outdoor use. The powder-coated aluminium frame is available in an extensive RAL colour range, and can be colour-matched to the Warema 50 and 550 frames on the same property for a fully co-ordinated external appearance. We hold fabric swatches and RAL samples and advise on the most appropriate combination for the specific property, architecture and landscape setting during a free design stage site visit.
Do you install the Warema K55 awning in Poole, Sandbanks and across Dorset?
Yes. We are an authorised Warema dealer supplying and installing the full Warema motorised awning and external shading range — including the K55 cassette pergola awning — across Poole, Sandbanks, Canford Cliffs, Bournemouth, Christchurch, Salisbury and the wider Dorset, Hampshire and South Coast area. Every K55 project begins at the design stage — we attend site to confirm frame configuration, span and shading area, fixing substrate, foundation requirements for freestanding installations, electrical first fix routes, fabric and frame colour selection, sensor specification and smart home integration. Contact our team to discuss your project at the earliest opportunity.
