Retractable Awnings?

[CindyBeth]

We are thinking about a retractable awning for our deck. It gets a ton of sun in the afternoon, very hot and bright!!!! Has anyone have a retractable awning and if so do you like it? What options would you get? Any help would be great!!!!!

 

[mtemm]

we had one in our previous house and it was outstanding! it was there when we bought the house, and was a crank (not automatic) one, but it wasn't a big deal. we had a huge deck with tons of sun so it made sitting out there so nice. one day we left it out and went to the fair, and a huge storm blew thru, normally not an issue, but very heavy winds came up and wrecked it. we ended up having it replaced with an automatic one. that one was sweet! really nice. not necessary, if you are looking to save money, but if you have the extra money for it, I'd go for it, personally.

 

[Magickndm]

I don't have one on my house, but I do on my travel trailer. We use it almost everytime we use the camper. You do need to be careful, it can't be completely even, meaning you need one side to be just a bit higher or lower, that way if it rains, the water runs off and won't collect on top possibly tearing the awning. Also, if it's left open on a windy day, it can tear, and it's not cheap to fix.

 

[Figment22]

I'm very interested in one of these also. What are some good brands to look for?

 

[mrsv98]

My DSil has one and had it wrecked by high winds also. If I were doing it, I would definitely get one that automatically retracts in inclement weather.

 

[Alex2kMommy]

We got one last fall, just before the weather turned cold and rainy, so we really haven't used it yet. We went ahead and got the automatic option, which means we open/close with a button. Nice! The main reason we got that, however, is that if a sensor detects winds at a level that may damage the awning, the awning automatically retract.

I'm hoping we get a lot of good use out of it this summer!

 

[loveit]

We LOVE our retractable awning! We have a Sunsetter Awning. It is not motorized (they do have motorized ones available) but we chose not to have a motorized one because we wanted a bigger awning, and we also wanted the optional screen room (we live in Michigan and the mosquitos can be brutal!) The company was wonderful. We could either pay to have it installed, or we could do it ourselves. WE DID IT OURSELVES!! They drop ship everything to your house. It was a very simple installation! I was very proud of us! We've had ours for 8 years now, and it is looks as good as the day we bought it. We bought the solution to wash the awning, and it is fabulous. I would HIGHLY recommend the bars that attach to the underside of the awning. With high winds, they are really necessary. It is amazing how much the bars make a difference. We keep ours out all summer long! (unless we go on vacation, of course, they we just retract it). It makes a huge difference in the summer sun temperature, and we have eaten numerous times on the deck while it is pouring rain!! Good luck to you! I say go for it!

Laura

 

[CindyBeth]

Thanks for all the responses!!! I think we will probably go ahead and do this and definetly get the wind sensor, as at times we get alot of wind!

Alex2kMommy - I was wondering, what brand did you get?

We got one last fall, just before the weather turned cold and rainy, so we really haven't used it yet. We went ahead and got the automatic option, which means we open/close with a button. Nice! The main reason we got that, however, is that if a sensor detects winds at a level that may damage the awning, the awning automatically retract.

I'm hoping we get a lot of good use out of it this summer!

 

[Alex2kMommy]

Alex2kMommy - I was wondering, what brand did you get?

I don't remember the name, but it was through Home Depot, so their folks came out with a packet full of information and discussed it with us; then they did all the measuring and discussion of how (where, how high) to place it, etc. We also had them do the installation.

I can find out for sure if you like...

 

[golfgal]

Can I be rude and ask how much they are. We are thinking about putting one over part of our deck but don't want to get on anyone's mailing/calling list yet .

 

[Pinnie]

I wouldn't have a deck without ours! We live in MI and we really love our motorized retractable awning. We bought ours from a local company, Marygrove Awning. I absolutely think it is one of the best investments we made for our house!

pinnie

 

[Alex2kMommy]

Can I be rude and ask how much they are. We are thinking about putting one over part of our deck but don't want to get on anyone's mailing/calling list yet .

Ours is 10'x20', and (with installation) cost around $6k.

 

[Amlee]

I'm not sure about the ones on the house, but my parents have a automatic one on their travel trailer. One of the things they ran into is No power, means that the sensor won't work. So that is something to check on also.

I loved mine on my travel trailer and wouldn't have a camper without one!

 

[DVC-Don]

I installed a Sunsetter 18' awning on our deck about 6 years ago. It cost about $1200 back then. We love it.