All our awnings are made to order and so can be made with a varying degree of widths and projections. The maximum projection is determined by the width and style of awning. When determining the size you will need to keep in mind that the awning is going to cast a different shadow at different times of the day and different times of the year. You will also have to consider the direction that the awning is facing. If the awning is facing north or south you may want the awning larger on the west end to maintain shade in the early evening hours. If the awning is facing west you will need to consider maximum projection or perhaps the tilt adjust option. If you’re facing east you may need the awning larger on the south side. If possible you will always want to consider an awning a few feet larger in width or projection to make sure you will have adequate shade throughout the day. The cost factor for the extra size is relatively small. You can determine the shade by walking the perimeter of where the awning will be with your hand over your head and keep an eye on where that shadow is being cast. This will determine the shade that the awning will produce.
This is really a matter of personal taste. We have a few hundred colors available in solid or stripe patterns. All fabrics provide the same shade although a darker fabric will appear darker underneath where a lighter fabric will appear lighter. You may want to stay away from very light or very dark fabrics as they both expose dirt easily.
A Motor definitely adds convenience and the easier it is to use the more it will be used, however it does more. Perhaps while sitting inside you may want to roll the awning out a little to provide shade for the windows or reduce the glare on a T.V. You’ll also be more likely to roll the awning in if you’re running to the store for a while rather than coming back home only to find that the weather quickly took a turn for the worse while you were gone and you now have an expensive repair bill on your hands. A motor is suggested if the awning is larger than 18’ wide. All our motors come complete with a convenient plug-in cable (no hard wire is required) and a wireless remote control which will work up to a hundred feet away even through the walls of your home.
A hood cover is suggested if the awning is mounted in an area where it will not be protected while it’s rolled in. Remember that the awning will spend more of it’s time rolled in so it’s important to protect it to ensure a long life for the awning. Instead of a hood cover you may want to order an Empress or Empress Marcesa which has a built in cassette cover.
Typically pitch adjust is very useful if your deck is facing west so that you can tilt the awning down to maintain maximum shade while the sun is setting. This option does not work that well if the awning is facing south, east or north for extra shading purposes. However this option does come in handy if perhaps you are looking to gain some privacy from neighbors. Keep in mind that the pitch adjust can be added to any style awning up to 18 feet in width except the imperial, imperial marcesa & cross-over awnings. It can also be added the awnings with motors but the pitch adjust itself remains hand operated.
First of all keep in mind that a fully projected patio awning will withstand 30km/h of wind. It may not sound like much wind but you’ll probably find that if the wind is stronger it may be too windy to be sitting outside. Without a wind sensor or braces you should always follow the rule of, “too windy for you, too windy for the awning.” Both wind braces and a wind sensor help tackle the wind issue. A wind sensor can only be installed if the awning is motorized. It will retract the awning automatically when winds exceed 30 km/h including a sudden wind gust. It’s a nice option if you think you will have a tendency to forget the awning out or if you have a busy lifestyle. Note: wind sensors are to be used as a last resort to retract your awning. Warranty does not cover an awning with a wind sensor that has been damaged by wind. Wind braces may be added to a motorized or non motorized awning. They will allow you to use the awning in winds up to 50km/h. This means you can remain under the awning on days where the wind may only be 20km/h but the gust are blowing over 30km/h. You can not have both.
Very little! All our patio awning frames are aluminum with a white powder coat finish which makes it very easy to keep clean. The fabric will not fade, rot or mildew and so all you have to do is keep the fabric clean. You can simply use the garden hose to rinse the fabric and a soft brush can be used on stubborn spots. Do not use detergents or harsh soaps, it will destroy the protective coatings that keep the awning rain resistant. If the fabric is left unwashed mildew may grow on the dirt and the stitching may disintegrate. If you have a pitch adjust awning you will have to grease the exposed pitch adjustment bolts with some lithium grease once or twice a year. All other gears and motors are contained within the awning and do not require any lube.
Hardware, fabric and motors are covered for five years against general defects in material or workmanship. The warranty does not cover acts of God, i.e. awnings damaged by excess winds, snow, hail or rainfall. Remember a wind sensor failing to retract the awning is not covered by warranty. With some general cleaning our awnings will look and function like new for years 15 to 20 years.
No. Our awnings may be left up on the wall year round. If the awning is not mounted under an overhang, it is recommended to have a hood or cassette cover to properly protect the awning during winter months. If you would like, the front valance may be removed for winter months, (the valance is separate from the main fabric). Simply pop the plastic end cap off, remove the valance from the front bar, remove the spline from the valance and keep the valance rolled (not folded) for storage.
Yes, you can definitely install any of our awnings by yourself. Basic tools are required and two people are needed to hoist the awning into place. We will provide all the installation instruction necessary and of course phone and e-mail support is also available.
If you don’t see you specific question answered here please feel free to contact via e-mail or by phone (403) 291-0235.