Awning Wind Classes and the Beaufort Scale: Reference Table
Retractable awnings tested to EN 13561 are given a wind resistance class from 0 to 3. Class 1 corresponds to about 17 mph (28 km/h), class 2 to about 24 mph (38 km/h) and class 3 to about 30 mph (49 km/h). The tables below translate those classes and the Beaufort scale into practical decisions.
EN 13561 wind resistance classes for awnings
| Class | Nominal test pressure | km/h | mph | m/s | Beaufort |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | Below class 1 or not tested | - | - | - | - |
| 1 | 40 N/m² | 28 | 17 | 7.8 | 4 |
| 2 | 70 N/m² | 38 | 24 | 10.6 | 5 |
| 3 | 110 N/m² | 49 | 30 | 13.6 | 6 |
Vertical external screens and blinds covered by the same standard use a wider class range (up to class 6 for some products), which is why zip-track screens can carry much higher ratings than awnings. See zip-track screens and wind.
Beaufort scale with awning actions
| Force | Description | mph | km/h | What you see | Awning action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | Calm | <1 | <1 | Smoke rises straight up | Extend freely |
| 1 | Light air | 1-3 | 1-5 | Smoke drifts | Extend freely |
| 2 | Light breeze | 4-7 | 6-11 | Leaves rustle, wind felt on face | Extend freely |
| 3 | Gentle breeze | 8-12 | 12-19 | Leaves and twigs in constant motion | Fine for rated awnings; watch unrated ones |
| 4 | Moderate breeze | 13-18 | 20-28 | Dust and loose paper lift, small branches move | Class 1 limit; retract unrated and class 1 |
| 5 | Fresh breeze | 19-24 | 29-38 | Small trees sway | Class 2 limit; retract all but class 3 |
| 6 | Strong breeze | 25-31 | 39-49 | Large branches move, umbrellas hard to use | Class 3 limit; retract all awnings |
| 7 | Near gale | 32-38 | 50-61 | Whole trees move | Awnings retracted; check zip screens' rating |
| 8+ | Gale and above | 39+ | 62+ | Twigs break off trees | Everything retracted and locked |
Why a little more wind does a lot more damage
Wind pressure rises with the square of wind speed. Using the standard approximation q = 0.613 × v² (pressure in N/m², speed in m/s), a 7.8 m/s wind produces about 37 N/m², while 13.6 m/s produces about 113 N/m². Those values line up closely with the class 1 and class 3 test pressures.
Frequently asked questions
What wind class should I buy?
Class 2 is a sensible minimum for most homes; class 3 for exposed, coastal or elevated sites. Whatever the class, add a wind sensor if the awning may be left out unattended.
Do US awnings have wind ratings?
Some do, often quoted as a mph figure from the manufacturer rather than an EN class. Ask how the figure was tested, at what size, and whether it refers to gusts or sustained wind.
Is the wind class the same for every size of a model?
Not always. Manufacturers often publish the class by size: the largest projections of a model may drop a class. Check the table for your exact width and projection.