BUYING AN AWNING

Frequently asked questions

• Q.  What are the differences between retractable and fixed awnings?
  A.  The main difference between retractable and fixed frame awnings is movement.  A fixed frame awning is a permanent structure that offers continual weather protection and is always present for constant, uninterrupted shade.  While a retractable awning offers movement due to spring-loaded arms that support the awning and provides the option of sun or shade.

• Q.  Why should I get an awning instead of a deck or patio umbrella?
  A.  For starters, an awning is more durable and can be designed and constructed to meet the unique configuration of you home.  An awning can cover a larger area and set the boundaries for an outdoor room.  On the other hand, an umbrella is highly susceptible to wind damage and must always be operated manually and shades a much smaller space.

• Q.  If  there are no poles on retractable awnings, what supports the awning?
  A.  “Retractable” or “lateral-arm” awnings as they are technically called are designed to be self-supporting and eliminate the need for poles and framework (a good-quality retractable awning should not need support poles).  This style of awning relies on a secure structure mounting and its spring-loaded arms for its support

• Q.  How will the awning mount to my home?
  A.  For applications under the eaves of your home, installers will mount brackets that tie indirectly either to the wall studs or header plate.  For roof-mounted applications, installers will mount brackets that tie into the rafters.  Consult your installer for more details on the best way to mount your awning.

• Q.  Does the awning really make it cooler on my deck or patio? 
  A.  Your awning will keep your deck or patio up to 20 degrees cooler, and will subsequently keep the inside of your home cooler as well.  By preventing the sun from shining through a patio door or window, the inside stays cooler, which reduces air-conditioning costs and prevents fading of your carpets and furniture.  Also, Sunbrella® fabrics are woven, which allows air to circulate through the fabric instead of letting heat build up under your awning.

• Q.  If my retractable awning is motorized, how can I adjust it if my power goes out?
  A.  Awnings generally have a manual override crank that will allow you to retract your awning by hand in case of power failure or malfunction.

• Q.  If I don’t initially install a motor with my retractable awning, can I add one at a later date?
  A.  It is easier to include a motor with the initial awning installation, but it is possible to add one at a later date.  Research has shown that a motorized awning is used four times as often as a manual unit.  Also, adding a motor later will be more costly than if the awning and motor are installed with your initial purchase.

• Q.  What is the “pitch” of an awning?  Is the pitch of an awning important, and what should it be?
  A.  The pitch is the angle of fall made by the front bar of an awning.  The pitch determines how much water may puddle on the awning when the awning is fully extended.  The less pitch an awning has, the more impact  rain will have on the awning.  All awnings will eventually fail if too much water or weight is allowed to collect on them.  When set at minimum pitch, an awning may collect rain even when the fabric is tight.  The more pitch you have, the less you will have to worry about rain collecting on the awning.  Increasing the pitch, even a few inches, will have a dramatic reduction on the awning’s ability to collect rainwater.  The pitch of an awning is not a factor if the awning is retracted during rain events.  It’s always best to retract the awning when not in use no matter what the weather forecast. Adjusting the pitch can also provide better shade depending on the angle of the sun in relation to the angle of the awning. (over)

• Q.  Do I have to fully extend my retractable awning?
  A.  Retractable awnings are designed so you can stop the awning at any point with the remote control or the hand crank.  There are three buttons on the remote, one for extension, one for retraction, and one to stop the awning at your desired length.

• Q.  What kind of fabric is on the awning?
  A.  Today, most high-quality awnings use Sunbrella® fabrics.  These high-grade fabrics have the color embedded in every fiber, ensuring that they won’t significantly fade over time.  Sunbrella fabrics are available in over 140 decorator patterns and can easily coordinate with your outdoor furniture.  Sunbrella fabrics block 98% of the harmful UV rays of the sun and have been awarded the Seal of Recommendation by the Skin Cancer Foundation.

• Q.  How much wind can an awning handle?
  A.  There is no definite rating for how much wind an awning can handle.  Light winds of less than 5 mph should not harm most awnings.  However, wind gusts can rapidly reach very high speeds, and in extremely windy locations, an awning may not be suited for your application.
  For a retractable awning, it is best to retract the awning before wind speeds reach the point of causing the awning to sway side to side, or up and down.  It is best to retract the awning when not is use regardless of weather conditions.
  Excessive wind and rain are the leading causes of damage to awnings.

• Q.  How do I clean my Sunbrella fabric awning cover?
  A.  Your Sunbrella awning fabric should be cleaned regularly before substances such as dirt, roof particles, etc., are allowed to accumulate and become embedded in the fabric.  The fabric can be cleaned without being removed from the home.  For detailed instructions, please visit www.sunbrella.com.

• Q. How does Sunbrella fabric lock in color?
  A. Sunbrella fabrics are made from 100% solution-dyed acrylic yarns.  Solution dying is the manufacturing process of adding color to fibers while they are in a liquid state.  This feature of Sunbrella allows them to lock in color, be easily cleaned and provides them with a long life.

• Q: Is Sunbrella fabric waterproof?
  A: Because Sunbrella fabrics are designed to be breathable, they are water repellent, but not completely waterproof. Over time, the water repellency can be refreshed by using 303 High Tech Fabric Guard™.

• Q: Will Sunbrella fabric mildew?
  A: Mildew will not grow on Sunbrella unless there is food, dirt or other organic matter on the fabric. Keeping Sunbrella clean is the best defense against mildew. Bleach and other mildew removers do not affect Sunbrella, so cleaning mildew is easy if it becomes necessary.

• Q: Can I hose down Sunbrella fabric?
  A: One of the best ways to keep Sunbrella fabrics looking good and to delay the need for deep or vigorous cleaning is to hose fabrics off on a monthly basis with clear water. This practice will help prevent dirt from becoming deeply imbedded in the fabric and eliminate the need for more frequent vigorous cleanings. In most environments, a thorough cleaning will be needed every two to three years. Remember after hosing down the fabric to allow the fabric to air dry.
  

• Q: How can I clean bird droppings on my awning?
  A: For those stains that are beyond our normal care and cleaning instructions, such as bird droppings, roof run-off, acid rain, pollution, rust, tree sap, insect stains, etc., we suggest the following products: an off-the-shelf product such as Goo Gone Grease Cutter (a hand cleaner), Greased Lightning, Clean Rite Purple Power (available at Wal-Mart, K-Mart, etc.) or Release (available through Awning Rejuvenation Systems International in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida;            800.776.5664      ). Rub product into fabric, allowing penetration. Brush with a soft brush, rinse THOROUGHLY and repeat if necessary.
  

• Q: In your cleaning instructions, you use the term "Mild" or "Natural Soap". What is "Mild" or "Natural" soap?
  A: By "Natural" or "Mild" soap we mean Ivory Snow, Dreft or Woolite. These gentle soaps rinse out easily and will not diminish the water-repellent "finish" applied to the fabric.
  Regular laundry detergent will not harm the fabric, but the water-repellent "finish" will be removed sooner (laundry detergents do not affect the stain and UV resistance). BE SURE to use cold water and to air dry the fabric when using laundry detergent. In addition, after several cleanings you will need to retreat the fabric with a water repellent product, such as 303 High Tech Fabric Guard™ (www.303products.com).

• Q: Do Sunbrella fabrics provide UV protection?
  A: Sunbrella fabrics have been tested and proven to provide up to 98% UV protection from harmful effects of the sun when used in shade applications. Sunbrella fabrics have been awarded the "Seal of Recommendation" by The Skin Cancer Foundation, an international organization dedicated to the prevention of skin cancer (www.skincancer.org). Whites and lighter colored fabrics provide less protection than darker fabrics, which have more depth of color. This protective factor is inherent to the product and will not be reduced by usage and/or fabric exposure to the sun.

 

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