Need advice on retractable awnings for patio

[michelle]

Once again I turn to TUG for great advice from real people!

Here is what we need: 2 retractable awnings for a patio, one 10' wide, with a 10' projection, and the other 13' (or up to 16') wide with a projection of 13'.

We looked at Sunsetter: they advertise easy installation, up to 20 degree drop in temperature, 90 day return policy, 5 year warranty, and their prices seem very reasonable. And Costco sells them, which is always a good sign.

Problem is that they project a maximun of 10'2", and we definately need at least 13'.

I am also thinking that it would be best to get the 2 awnings from the same company, as they will be side by side on a patio.

So, I started looking at other websites, but have no idea about quality.

Below I list our requirements in order of priority:
13' projection
maximum reduction in temperature
price
retractable
quality
easy installation

Do you have experience with any other manufacturer/brand of awnings? Please let me know what to go for and what to avoid.

Thanks in advance!

 

[suenmike32]

I had a similar dilema two years ago. I looked all over for what I wanted but never really found it locally. Consquently, I let my fingers do the walking (through the internet) and found a site that sells "Shade Sails".
They are a pretty hot item in Calafornia and after doing my due diligence, taking measurements and speaking to the manufacturer, I ended up installing 3 sails, (two triangular and 1 square). They cover 70% of my deck and we love them.
Very colorful, sturdy and most effective.
Try googleing "Shade Sails", they are in Whittier California. Installation took a bit of doing, (because I had to sink 2 posts six feet into the ground), but no one in my neighborhood has anything like it and they are great.
Mike:whoopie:

 

[Tom52]

Experience with Sunsetter

I can't address your specific concerns but I do have some comments about retractable awnings in general, at least as they relate to my Sunsetter retractable awning that I installed several years ago.

I purchased a 20' wide motorized awning to cover my south facing patio as I don't have any shade trees in the area. The awning works fairly well except when it get slightly breezy it is like a huge sail. The motorized units are only attached to the side of the house with no support legs to add stability. I fashioned some myself to help anchor the front of the awning when it is extended to make it more usable on breezy days. You would be very restricted on usage without them as it would be ripped off the side of your house with a wind gust.

Also, while the awning provides shade when the sun is directly overhead, the amount of shade decreases drastically as the sun starts to move towards the horizon, say about 5 PM and later, and that is normally when you want to strart using it on work days. I wish someone would have given me this advise before I spent $2,000 on mine. I could have planted a fairly large shade tree and by now I would have had natural shade.

 

[suenmike32]

Tom's experience is exactly why I went the "Shade Sail" route. My backyard area and deck butt up against a 200+ acre farm and we do get substantial winds. After giving it a lot of thought, I felt that an awning would never hold up on certain days.
I wasn't 100% positive on the sails either,(regarding wind), however I am now! If installed properly and by using high quality turnbuckles and cable my sails have easily weathered gusts to 40mph. On the other hand....if I ever received a severe weather warning that would necesssitate taking them down...I could do so in about a half hour.
Again, I took a lot of time and spent a bit more money than I had to on Marine-grade stainless cable, eye-bolts and steel poles. But I love my deck and yard
Mike

 

[caribbeansun]

Mike - Do you take your sails down in the winter as I see you are in NY?

 

[suenmike32]

Yes, actually I do.
During the summer, I keep them nice and tight as I don't like flapping on a breezy day. If I left them up, they would actually hold snow and based on the 21" we just got....that wouldn't be a good thing!
Taking them down also saves the life of them as well. Once you go through the seasonal cycle of putting them up then taking them down once, its really a snap. I can do it by myself and 30-45 minutes (now that my cables are cut to proper length, my shackles, turnbuckles etc are all adjusted).
Additionally, I used 3 of the pre-cut "ready made" sails. One tan, one forrest and one brick color. They were quite reasonable. Customs made's can get pricey.

I know nobody asked me this...but at the same time, I purchased 5 rolls of "marina-matting" and covered my entire deck with it. No more slivers, cuts from nail pops and it gives the deck a whole new look. Bright and colorful. I got tired of the natural wood look. Each year I sealed it it got darker and darker.
Mike