A cassette awning has a fully enclosed cassette that protects the fabric and the mechanism when retracted. This protects the awning from weather influences such as rain, dirt or UV radiation and significantly extends its service life. Open awnings, on the other hand, offer no such protection and are better suited to sheltered installation situations, for example under canopies. A cassette awning is therefore particularly recommended for exposed terraces and balconies that are exposed to the weather.