Leaving for Vacation This August? Here's How to Prep Your Awning or Pergola Before You Go

Every August, a large share of Greece packs up and leaves — for Δεκαπενταύγουστο, for the islands, for weeks at the family village. Which means a lot of homes and businesses sit completely empty at exactly the time of year when a sudden summer storm or an opportunistic break-in is most likely. Your awning, pergola, or bioclimatic system is usually the last thing on the pre-departure checklist, right after "did I turn off the stove." Here's what actually matters — and what you can automate so it stops being your problem at all.

Before You Lock the Door: The Short Version

• Retract or secure anything motorized or manual — don't leave fabric extended.

• Check your wind sensor if you have one, or consider adding one before you go.

• Set a schedule so your system opens and closes on its own while you're away.

• Clear gutters and drainage channels on pergola roofs — August storms hit hard and fast.

• Move or cover furniture that would otherwise sit under direct sun for weeks.

• Photograph your setup before you leave, just in case you need it later.

1. Retract or Secure It — Don't Leave It Extended

An awning or shade sail left fully extended over a two-week absence is a bet against Greek August weather, and that weather doesn't always cooperate. A sudden squall can shred fabric or bend arms in minutes, and nobody's home to retract it when the sky changes. If your system is manual, retract it fully before you leave. If it's motorized but has no wind sensor, retract it too — don't rely on reacting from 300km away.

2. Let a Wind Sensor Do the Worrying

The one upgrade that actually solves this instead of just managing it: a wind sensor wired into your motorized system. It retracts the awning or closes bioclimatic louvres automatically the moment wind speed crosses a safe threshold — no app, no signal, no you. See how these systems integrate with what you likely already have in our piece on smart, automated shading protection, or browse the automation range directly.

3. Make It Look Like Someone's Home

A property that looks exactly the same for two weeks straight is a visible signal. Pairing a scheduled awning or curtain routine with your lighting timers is one of the oldest, cheapest deterrents there is. If you're weighing whether to add this, our guide to automating interior curtains covers extending the same logic indoors for a more convincing pattern from the street.

4. Protect What's Underneath, Too

Outdoor furniture, flooring, and plants left under direct August sun for two or three weeks fade and dry out faster than most people expect. If your pergola has retractable glass or wind screens, closing them partially while you're away keeps direct sun and blown debris off everything underneath. Covering or storing cushions is worth the ten minutes it takes before you head to the airport.

5. Before Storms: Check Drainage

Bioclimatic pergola roofs and glass enclosures rely on channels and gutters to move rainwater away, and an August storm can drop a lot of water in a short window. A blocked channel while you're away for two weeks doesn't just mean pooling water on the roof — on some structures, it can mean water finding its way inside. A five-minute check before you go is cheap insurance. Our guide on weather protection for shading systems covers the fuller checklist, and our piece on motorized vs. manual awnings is worth a read if you're considering an upgrade before next summer.

Your Pre-Departure Checklist

Screenshot this, or print it, the night before you leave:

• Retract all fabric — awnings, pergola canopies, shade sails.

• Confirm your wind sensor is active and working.

• Set a schedule for automated systems, or ask us to set one for you.

• Clear gutters, channels, and drainage points.

• Move, cover, or store outdoor furniture and cushions.

• Take a few photos, just in case.

Happy Holidays From Us, Too

We're actually on our own break right now (August 12–28). If this article is all you have time for, here's the fast version: if you don't have a wind sensor, the one step that matters most is retracting the awning fully before you lock up — nothing else required. Wind sensors, automation, and drainage checks we can sort out together once we're back in September. Wishing you a great summer and happy holidays!