topic Re: Retractable Awning in Home

Retractable Awning

collegechick — Wed, 01 Apr 2015 17:34:44 GMT

Does anyone have any experience with having a retractable awning installed over a deck? I'd appreciate hearing your experiences. I'm in western PA and the cost seems way high for what you get.

Re: Retractable Awning

Heart of Spade — Wed, 01 Apr 2015 17:51:17 GMT

We had one on a previous home. We loved it. It was costly, IMO, but well worth it. I don't know if it's even possible to mount it yourself, but I would definitely recommend having it professionally installed. It shaded an area on a large, multi-level deck that got extremely hot during the day, so it served its purpose. Do make sure not to leave an awning open in extreme wind, but most are very durable. Ours had an electrical motor that operated with the flick of a switch, but it could also be manually cranked in, in the event of a power outage (an important feature). Our home was white and our deck furniture cushions were navy and white. Our awning was navy and looked so pretty. (Oh, how I miss that house!) If you're planning on staying in your home for a while, I would definitely make the investment. (About 10 years ago, we paid in the $2,000 range.)

Re: Retractable Awning

Lilysmom — Wed, 01 Apr 2015 18:34:56 GMT

Hi collegechick. I installed an awning over my wall of windows in my living room. I couldn't believe how expensive it was. I waited awhile before I decided to go ahead. We used a local company who's main business was making sails for sailboats. When I complained about the price, he told me that a major part of their business was repairing awnings installed by company's who didn't stand behind their products. Smart guy, right?

Anyway, I finally decided to go ahead with it as the heat in the living was too much to take. We chose a dark green fabric with deep burnt orange and white pinstripes. It was very attractive and did not show dirt. We also installed a wind sensor so that when wind reaches a certain velocity, the awning automatically retracts. Otherwise, we operate it with a remote control.

One of my main reasons for going ahead with it is that, while we have shades, I wanted to be able to enjoy our beautiful lake views, especially in summer. The awning is 21' long x 12' wide. I installed this about eight years ago and it has worked effortlessly ever since. I don't regret the decision but I still think it was pricey. My advice to you is to find a reputable company with a good warranty and do not install this yourself. It needs to be done by professionals. Good luck! LM

Re: Retractable Awning

Kachina624 — Wed, 01 Apr 2015 18:36:10 GMT

Had one on an RV, the most common use for them. You have to be very alert for sudden gusts of wind. Ours got wrapped around the RV on one occasion. After that the awning got tied down to a tree or something sturdy.

Re: Retractable Awning

Allegheny — Wed, 01 Apr 2015 19:31:25 GMT

We are also from Western PA. We had a retractable awning installed about 3 years ago over our deck. We had a difficult time finding a company that serviced our area and local companies would not install a roof mount awning. A roof mount was our only option in order for the awning to be elevated enough to allow for head clearance. We finally noticed a company advertising in one of our local circulars and they were extremely accommodating. The main company was originally from Pennsylvania, but had relocated to Florida, but still have representatives nationwide.

Ours was installed professionally, there was no way we would have been able to do it ourselves as it was quite weighty. Is is electric with a remote control and we can adjust how far out it opens with the remote. There were various options we could get, such as sensors for wind and rain that would automatically close the awning. The only option we got was a metal cap that extended over the awning when it was rolled shut to help protect the fabric.

The company's rep came to the house, measured, went over the options and we picked our fabric from about 200 different colors/patterns. We were also able to select the color for the awning housing. Also as mentioned by Heart of Spade we were provided with a crank to manually close the awning if needed.

It was not inexpensive. I believe we paid around $5,000, but it is worth every penny. We can now use our deck without constantly having to purchase, store and drag out umbrellas. We even open it just for shade as it helps keep the heat down inside the house.

Now the only thing that escapes me is the name of the company. I asked DH and he can't recall it either. I know we have the paperwork filed and if you are interested post back and we will find it.

Re: Retractable Awning

luvdoodles — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 11:24:26 GMT

We have had one for about 8 years and one of the best purchases we ever made. It does have the rain and wind sensor. We now use our deck much more often. It's in the sun all day and it does keep it much cooler and also our kitchen as we have sliders that lead right onto the deck. Can't remember what we paid, it wasn't cheap from what I remember though. I would highly recommend it if you can afford it.

Re: Retractable Awning

IamMrsG — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 11:36:10 GMT

Our neighbors had one installed over their deck, and the wife was dismayed how dark it made the interior of their house. Just a point to consider.

Re: Retractable Awning

GSPgirl — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 12:48:46 GMT

My mom has the Sunsetter that automatically goes back to its original position when there is wind. She said if you are sitting outside, you will lose that shade.

Re: Retractable Awning

humpty dumpty — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 12:59:09 GMT

I live in Western PA and had an awning installed about 10 years ago ... got it from Hearth & Home in Zelienople ... love it ... the price was about $3,000 ... I had one little problem a little over a year after I bought it ... they sent a repairman and there was no charge ...

Last year, at the very end of summer, the awning would not retract after a neighbor removed a couple birds' nests that were between the awning and the siding ... he told me he thought the motor was shot ... I did not want him playing around with it so I told him to let it be ...

I marked my calendar to give Hearth & Home a call sometime after April 15 ...

Re: Retractable Awning

collegechick — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 16:16:20 GMT

Thank you all for your input.

We had a couple of professional installers come to give us an estimate.

For a deck 15x15 the prices quoted (including installation) are $5-6500. I didn't pay that much to have the whole deck built I think this is a little pricey just to get some shade, so I'm researching alternative ideas, one of which is a large offset umbrella.

Thanks again.

Re: Retractable Awning

Tyak — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 17:32:56 GMT

My patio is 32 feet long and we had two of them for that length. Back in 2001 they cost us 6K. We loved them but we get a lot of wind and after about 12 years they needed to be replaced. We thought we'd try something else, drop shades, and we regret it to this day. I sure miss my awnings. Get them, you won't regret it!

Re: Retractable Awning

Lilysmom — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 21:40:36 GMT

Collegechick, I didn't give a price in my post. I paid $5000 eight years ago. The awning dropped the indoor temperature at least ten degrees in summer which was wonderful. I see someone mentioned that it made it dark inside. I never had a complaint about that. I could still enjoy the sunny view without suffering from the heat of the sun. I think it's a lovely effect. Also, the awning retracts so if you want sun, you just have to retract it. It is a lot of money but I really don't regret it. Happy hunting for your shade source! LM

Re: Retractable Awning

conniebird — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 21:51:46 GMT

We had a Sunsetter awning installed on our deck & it's the best thing we ever did. About 3 yrs. ago, we paid $2,300. It has a remote control that we use to make it work . The deck was so hot in the summer that it was impossible to enjoy the day. With the awning, it's at least 10 to 20 deg. cooler. We love it!! Go & look at them...price them & have them install it for you. Too large to handle by yourself. As someone said, "if it's windy, retrack it. I only open it up if I want to sit outside to have my morning coffee or to read in the afternoon. It's nice to eat supper out there now.

Re: Retractable Awning

Jackielee — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 23:18:23 GMT

We have lived in our home for 30 years, in Southern California and one of the first things that we did was to have a retractable awning put on the back patio. The first one lasted 25 years and when that was worn out, we replaced it with a new one . We love them. Ours is electric. It truly was the best thing that we ever did. The nice thing is that , when it's down it provides some very badly needed shade on the patio and also provides shade inside the house so that we still have our view and don't have to close our shutters inside the house yet it cools the house down. We use our shade every single day from about April until late November. I put the shade down in the early afternoon and put it back up after dinnertime when the sun is lower. With the intense sun that Southern California has , I think that it's not a understatement that we've gotten our money's worth out of our awnings. I agree that, when a strong wind comes up, I'd put the shade up to be safe. And , one of the main reasons that we originally had it installed back 30 years ago (when no one had them) was because we did not want the standard patio cover that everyone had which really did darken the house all of the time. With the awning , it can darken the house inside to keep it cool and then put it up when you don't need it. All winter long, when the sun doesn't come into that part of the house, we don't have a patio cover darkening up that part of the house.Our awning is up during the winter. Love, love, love the awning and many of our family members and friends have had them installed on their homes after seeing how well ours has worked for our family.

Re: Retractable Awning

Gooday — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 23:31:42 GMT

My cousins have one. They are in a suburb of Chicago. I do not know what they paid for it but they are frugal - not cheap but they do their due diligence and comparisons. It is quite nice as they have a western exposure on their back patio. It is really nice and I would recommend them.