Retractable Awning - too expensive archived

Dear Neighbors - I am looking for recommendations for a RETRACTABLE AWNING.

I heard plenty good things about Maplewood Awning and Aluminium Awnings - but the price for a 10ft wide awning was $3500 (incl. removal of the old and install of the new awning). Awnings from online sellers such as Durasol or Sunsetter are a lot less. Has anyone a good experience with similar sellers?

Thank you!

AXEL

Many years ago we used Window Works in Livingston for a Durasol. Ours is 17 ft. wide and cost around $4500 at the time for the awning and installation. This was many years ago and I'm sure that the cost has gone up since then. But give them a call at least to get an estimate : 973-535-5860.

It was well worth the cost. It makes all the difference in the world.

How much was us setter?

carolanne said:

How much was us setter?

Ambien, Carol Anne?

I'm also curious about this, because I'd like to have a retractable awning on the back of our house overlooking the patio, which faces south and gets HOT in summer, but there's no way I'm paying THAT much for it. Why such a huge difference? I've seen ads on TV for prices that are a tenth of what you guys paid. What makes the "difference," Cramer?

Yes, these are the prices I got from several different places recommended here on MOL about 2 years ago. Which is why I still don't have an awning over my back door.

PeggyC - I wasn't referring to paying to our cost as making all of the difference, but just having a retractable awning. Having a retractable awning allows you to use the patio or deck with the sun beating down. It's like having another room.

We got ours about 16 years ago and have certainly gotten our money's worth out of it. I had done some research and at the time and Durosal seemed to be the way to go. There are certainly many changes that have been made since then.

cramer said:

PeggyC - Having a retractable awning allows you to use the patio or deck with the sun beating down. It's like having another room.

We really, really want this and I'm starting to feel convinced it's worth the investment. Sounds fantastic and I know we'd get much more use out of our nice deck if we had such a thing.

Love them.

cramer said:

PeggyC - I wasn't referring to paying to our cost as making all of the difference, but just having a retractable awning. Having a retractable awning allows you to use the patio or deck with the sun beating down. It's like having another room.

We got ours about 16 years ago and have certainly gotten our money's worth out of it. I had done some research and at the time and Durosal seemed to be the way to go. There are certainly many changes that have been made since then.

Ah, gotcha. Yes, I agree. I would love to be able to use our patio right through August, but last year the heat and the mosquitoes defeated me. I'm considering one of those freestanding awning things this year, as well as a mister. At least those are infinitely more affordable, if not necessarily things of beauty.

Come to think of it, however, we have a lovely front porch that runs almost the length of the house now, AND it faces north. Total shade all summer. So maybe the mister on the front porch is the answer to my situation. Simpler and much less costly that trying to get an awning going out back, and we have almost no visibility from the street, which makes a huge difference when spending time in the front yard.

PeggyC said:

carolanne said:

How much was us setter?

Ambien, Carol Anne?

LOL nope, not enough coffee and typing on phone.

Ah, Autocorrect strikes again!

how about a couple a big umbrellas and stands?

We have a pergola with a roof & sliding screens (like drapes) on our patio. Keeps us cool and bugs out at night.
I even purchased a pretty chandelier for lighting.
Friends always compliment us on how pretty it is. Purchased at BJ's for about $400.

oots said:

how about a couple a big umbrellas and stands?

Not as effective, but better than nothing.

I agree-but can be done pretty well for $250 or so.

True. In my case, one would be enough.

For eating on my deck, mosquito netting is more important than the sun covering. I'm trying to figure out if I should get a 10x10 walled pop-up tent netting:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00167OODA/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Or a 9' umbrella circle of netting:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003IR1TKM/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A364TE9MTMZDLM

Sprout, we have the same problem here. I'm seriously considering enclosing half of the front porch in roll-up mosquito netting we can let down when we want to sit out.

How are those awnings for rain? We are OK on shade on our rear patio, but would love to have better protection for rainstorms that come up when we are out there. So far, we have just rigged up a big blue tarp plus we have one of those free standing canopies, for when weather threatens a planned event.

This is the one we have.
The sides have netting that zippers closed at night. Or they have solid sides too (to block wind/sun)

And w/chandelier.

Very pretty. Not workable for our deck, but I'd be very happy with something similar.

Something extremely similar would work beautifully for our patio. I am just not sure I want a permanent structure. I like the idea of something retractable. OTOH, I've always been very tempted by the triangular fabric "sails" that are attached to the house on two points and to a tree or other post at the third point.

@peggy those are nice! The only thing is, no netting so no outdoors at night & what to attach them to?

sac said:

How are those awnings for rain? We are OK on shade on our rear patio, but would love to have better protection for rainstorms that come up when we are out there. So far, we have just rigged up a big blue tarp plus we have one of those free standing canopies, for when weather threatens a planned event.

sac - The retractable awnings can't be used for rain, except for light drizzles. Heavier rains cause "pooling" that stretches the fabric and can damage it.

Ah, thanks! I guess we should stick to our current approach, then.

SlyFoxy1 said:

@peggy those are nice! The only thing is, no netting so no outdoors at night & what to attach them to?

Yeah, I know. Still, we have two areas to work with. The patio with a sail will be nice in the middle of the day when the mosquitoes are somewhat less active. And the front porch with a mister and/or netting will be nice in the early evening. I'm even considering buying a ceiling fan for the porch.

sac said:

How are those awnings for rain? We are OK on shade on our rear patio, but would love to have better protection for rainstorms that come up when we are out there. So far, we have just rigged up a big blue tarp plus we have one of those free standing canopies, for when weather threatens a planned event.

sac - I received a mailer today from Window Works, the local place for Durasol awnings. Durasol now has a Sun Structure, which can be used for sun and rain protection. Instead of the collapsible arms that the standard retractable awning has, the Sun Structure has a stationary frame and the awning goes down and up inside the frame. It is VERY expensive. It says "Units starting at $9900."

@slyfoxy1 can I ask where you got that? I want something for over our deck.

carolanne said:

@slyfoxy1 can I ask where you got that? I want something for over our deck.

I got it at BJ's

SlyFoxy1 said:

And w/chandelier.

you keep it up 24-7 all summer? any problems when it gets windy out?