Folded arms are indicative of a disapproving stance but in this case they are the system that Markilux awnings has for outdoor shade solutions, they are made from stainless steel and don’t require any support poles. So the awning will thrust out from the side of the house and hang there above your head like it is floating. Not only do the systems offer shade however they can also have accessories like lighting and sound systems, so no longer do you have to get all the lights and speakers set up for your next outdoor party, it is all ready and waiting in your shading system.
When purchasing an awning go for the block colour not the striped business if you can, always reminds one of a caravan or the awnings out the front of a shop, not something that you would have at home especially if your outdoor area is the height of elegance and style, then popping out the candy pink stripped awning might not be quite the look that would suit your outdoor décor.
The folding arms part of the system is what holds the awning up and out, they are metal bars that can be folded up when you wish to retract the awning and unfold when you want the shade, this enable you to have an area that is completely accessible and not have poles in the way, to be run into when people are too busy laughing and talking to be taking any notice of where they are going. It is funny to watch people walk into poles but not if it going to damage the poles or cause they awning to fall down. Which is why this is such a handy idea, to have a shading system that does not rely on ground support to keep it stable, you can still get the support poles if you are uncomfortable with the fact that it is just hanging there and seemingly with no way of keeping it up there.
You may even purchase an awning at Blinds Central that has a half side panel so that it affords a small amount of privacy, once the system is fully extended, material hangs down and gives that added touch of shade and the feeling of being enclosed, which is probably why it is called the cacoon, who comes up with these names I don’t know. If you are going to go that far then just go the whole hog and get the entire outdoor area enclosed behind shade cloth or blinds this way you can have all the shade http://www.blindscentral.net.au/outdoor/cafe/ziptrak/ you like and be in a private area outdoors, it will be like an extension to the house. Only with no locking doors, so don’t move the bedroom setting out there in the dead of summer because it is cooler, the stalkers and serial killers will love you for it, easy access and all.