We tell people at 35 MPH you should push the button and close the awning. Another good rule of thumb is if it is too windy for you to sit and enjoy the outdoors, it is probably too windy for the awning.

Absolutely. We are a Jersey Shore based awning company and many of our clients own waterfront, vacation homes. We specialize in retractable awnings for windy environments like upper decks, open spaces and retirement communities that have houses lined in a row that creates a wind tunnel effect. We would recommend a wind sensor or pole kit to protect your investment.

A wind sensor is a wireless device that is installed on one of the extending arms of a retractable awning. It senses the up and down motion of the arm and will send a signal to the motor to close the awning if the movement is too great. The sensitivity of the wind sensor can be easily adjusted for a particular location. This prevents the awning from closing with every gust of wind. The wireless wind sensors work great and are easily the best accessory available for motorized retractable awnings. They run on 2 AAA batteries and usually last 5 years before the batteries need to be changed. This accessory is compatible with all SunSetter motorized awnings or any retractable awning with a Somfy RTS motor.

The pitch of the awning is adjustable. The front bar of the awning can be adjusted up or down to the clients specification regardless of the mounting height of the awning on the wall. We usually aim to set the front bar height at 6’8″ to 7′ from the deck or patio. This can also be adjusted up or down at anytime in the future by the homeowner.

Our target mounting height is 9′ to 10′ high on the wall. The SunSetter minimum height is 7’6″. We have installed retractable awnings lower than the minimum in certain circumstances but we prefer to mount much higher for peak performance in wind and rain. The more pitch or angle the awning has, the more stable it will be in the wind and the easier rain water will run off.

No. In almost all cases, we install the awning as described and pictured above, right over the siding. We believe this leaves the cleanest look and provides the strongest connection to the house. In rare cases we do install a board across the wall and wrap it in aluminum then install the awning onto the board. This is rare and there is usually some specific need or requirement for this type of installation like a very old house with less wall studs or a customer has requested this particular installation method.

With very little maintenance each year, you can expect your SunSetter awning to last up to 20 years. The strongest feature of a retractable awning is that it is rolled up when not in use. This greatly extends the life span of a retractable awning over fixed frame awnings and other permanent structures. In coastal environments we recommend the winter cover accessory to keep your awning looking and performing its best for many years. In less severe, suburban environments, retractable awnings require little to no maintenance at all. We still recommend hosing it off once a year and removing the scalloped valance during the off-season.

Three main reasons… The awnings sold on the internet are made mostly from (1) painted steel (2) inferior fabrics that will fade quickly and (3) cheap Chinese motors. The steel components and steel hardware of the frame will begin to rust after just one season. The fabric will also noticeably fade after just one season in the sun. Many times the motors do not work right out of the box or the cheap transmitters and electronics fail quickly.

Awnings sold by your local awning shops are made mostly from powder coated aluminum and stainless steel which will not rust. Awning shops use acrylic fabrics designed specifically for the awning and marine markets. These fabrics will remain weatherproof, are mildew resistant and hold their color for up to 20 years. Better awning companies insist on Somfy brand motors for all retractable awning products. Shade One Awnings only uses Somfy as they are the clear market leader. These motors can also last up to 20 years.

Beware of local companies that advertise themselves as “warehouse” or “manufacturer” awning companies. They provide low cost awnings that often fail very quickly for the reasons listed above. Many times Shade One Awnings is the company that is called on to fix or replace these lesser models.

Most times the savings are $1,000.00 or more compared to local awning shops that use regional manufacturers for their retractable awning products. These regional manufacturers often come with long delivery times and high prices. For retractable awning projects with commercial grade frames and oversize projects, the savings can be multiple thousands over our competition.