FAQ
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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. A retractable awning offers movement due to spring-loaded arms that support the awning and provides the option of sun or shade.
For starters, an awning is more durable and can be designed and constructed to meet the unique configuration of your 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, must always be operated manually and shades a much smaller space.
"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.
For applications under the eaves of your home, installers will mount brackets that tie indirectly either to wall studs or header plates. For roof-mounted applications, installers will mount brackets that tie indirectly into the rafters. Consult your installer for more details on the best way to mount your awning.
Yes! Your awning can keep your deck or patio up to 20 degrees cooler, and 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, reducing air-conditioning costs and preventing 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.
Awnings have a manual override crank that will allow you to retract your awning by hand in case of power failure or malfunction.
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 together with your initial purchase.
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 the 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.
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.
Excessive wind and rain are the leading causes of damage to awnings, and there is no definite rating for how much wind an awning can handle.
Light winds of less than 5 mph (8 kph) 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 in use regardless of the weather conditions.
To minimize corrosion, it is essential to use the proper material during construction. Stainless steel, galvanized steel and anodized aluminum are your best choices for prevention of rust and corrosion.
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 percent of the harmful UV rays of the sun and have been awarded the Seal of Recommendation by the Skin Cancer Foundation.
Sunbrella is not dyed in the conventional sense (which is a common misperception). In fact, we do not use dyes at all. Highly UV resistant pigments are mixed with Sunbrella fibers in a liquid state prior to extrusion. Fiber is then cut, baled, blended, spun into yarn and woven into fabric.
Here's a simple analogy that should point out the difference: conventional dyeing is like a radish in that the color is on the outside, but not on the inside. Cut a radish and you'll find an outer red skin, but an inner white core. Sunbrella is like a carrot. If you cut a carrot, it's orange all the way through.
Your Sunbrella awning fabric should be cleaned regularly before substances such as dirt, roof particles, and the like accumulate and become embedded in the fabric. The fabric can be cleaned easily with mild soap and water, while still attached to your home.
Click here to download detailed cleaning instructions.
Or if you prefer, we're happy to recommend an awning cleaning service to clean the awning for you. Call us for a recommendation!
Already have a motorized awning wondered whether you would replace just the awning fabric?
Hi Eleanor,
Yes you can have the fabric replaced as necessary.
To get that process started you can livechat with an agent by clicking in the LiveChat window in the bottom right of your screen or schedule and in home / virtual consultation here: https://www.rainier.com/shade/request-free-consultation/.
Thanks!