Retractable Awning - too expensive archived

njstout said:

SlyFoxy1 said:

And w/chandelier.

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

I take the chandelier down (and top canopy) during winter.

Ps. I got the chandelier from Kmart $100.

There was a thread last summer about how the most effective form of mosquito control is a fan. They don't like it when the air is moving and they stay away.

This^^^.
Fan on one side of the deck on the lowest setting.

I love that. It is such a simple solution, and we finally have a house that has electrical outlets on the porch and the patio, so I can plug in fans on both sides of the house! YAY!

We need to have an outlet installed on our deck. I already have a great standing fan, but running an extension out of the kitchen door could let mosquitoes in. Can't risk West Nile with our parrots. We occasionally do take one out on the deck in a small cage, entirely encased in mosquito netting. Still, I'm a mosquito magnet, so I need that fan. The only time I went to a concert on Floods Hill, I was glistening with 3 different repellents and looked like I'd been varnished. Probably shortened my lifespan and still had a dozen bites.

Meta: I have the same problem. I am a magnet for mosquitoes. Ugh. Screens and a fan used together do help and no, I cannot go to Flood's Hill for the wonderful outdoor concerts. I am a PITA to everyone else who does not attract mosquitoes; many do not understand the drastic reaction I get from those dastardly insects and they think I'm being dramatic. Rather than annoy others, I just stay inside or remain in the screened outdoor areas available. Awful, isn't it?
This thread is great for ideas. Very pretty, Slyfoxy1!

Critterlover, I'm in the same boat. Our former neighborhood in West Orange used to give a nice block party every summer, and I went once. I was eaten alive by mosquitoes, and never went to the party again. I don't think even my husband understood just how horrible it was. Pretty disappointing all the way around.

SlyFoxy1 said:

And w/chandelier.

Beautiful! Replace the chandalier with a ceiling fan (not sure if support is there) and this is the best of both worlds!!! No sun and no mosquitos! (Is it doable though??)

Because of the energetic motion, a ceiling fan needs to be very firmly anchored. Not sure that is possible with an umbrella or not-very-permanent or sturdy structure. When you install a ceiling fan indoors, it involves a very strong metal junction box that is firmly screwed to joists that form part of the ceiling structure. That is, if it was done correctly.

Figured as much. Wonder if a pergola would be sturdy enough for a fan.

If it's wood and well-constructed, I would say yes.

But then I would want to be very, very careful about the housing for anything electrical.

kthnry said:

There was a thread last summer about how the most effective form of mosquito control is a fan. They don't like it when the air is moving and they stay away.

I was just going to post this^

Back to awnings. Has anyone looked into sun setter? Www.sunsetter.com. Their least expensive retractable awning is the perfect size for my deck. And not too crazy $$$. ($700 or so). 5 year warranty.

We had our deck awning installed a good 6 or 7 years ago by Breslow Home Design Center in Livingston. They came out and gave us an estimate. I can't recall the price but I don't think it was ridiculously expensive, and it is one of the best home things we've ever done. It made our deck space so much more practical, because we could still use it even in the hot sun. And it looks nice, too (sorry, the photo won't post vertically). It works as well now as it did then, probably because we only use it one season a year.

.

Just reread OP and saw he asked about sun setter too.

Costco sells Sunsetter: http://www.costco.com/awnings.html

Breslow Home Design Center used by seidperson has a large selection: http://www.breslow.com/

Oh wow, thanks! Who knew?! Costco sells everything these days!

Too bad, not the size we need. (And prices are pretty much the same or more than directly through sun setter.)

Going to check out Breslow today, thx!

Checked out Breslow. The woman who helped us wasn't as knowledgable as we hoped regarding awnings and the price was much more than we want to spend, about $4k for a 10x10 manual retractable awning.
I also read reviews for sunsetter that are horrible, I'd consider buying the sunsetter one from Costco only because they have amazing warranties, but it's not the lesser expensive version, costs about $1300.
Then I found a 10x8 awning on ebay (which I then found on amazon and direct through manufacturer) that has some very good reviews and only costs $300 plus change. No one else has 10x10 besides sunsetter and I don't want to take that risk even if it is only $750 (plus the vinyl they use on that line is sort of cheesy looking.)
So I think that's the direction were going in.

shh - I looked at the reviews on Amazon and it certainly sounds as if it's a good awning for a good price.
Just be sure to take it up if it gets windy. Good luck!

PeggyC said:

Critterlover, I'm in the same boat. Our former neighborhood in West Orange used to give a nice block party every summer, and I went once. I was eaten alive by mosquitoes, and never went to the party again. I don't think even my husband understood just how horrible it was. Pretty disappointing all the way around.

Me too -- which is why I just can't fathom those summer outdoor evening festivities in South Orange in the park. Yikes!

I can't believe I forgot to post. We need up ordering an awning made by Aleko from amazon. I think it's 9x8. We did want it 10 feet deep but only one brand made this and it wasn't worth the 5k it would have cost. (This was about $300.) sun setter also had one but only in vinyl and I didn't like the material or the pattern/colors available. (It would have been about $8-900).

We installed ourselves which was not too difficult. It's great during the early part of the day but unfortunately on our western exposed deck, early evening is glaringly sunny, and we realize now nothing attached to the house would help that! (Thank goodness we didn't go for the $5k one!)
I love the pattern and color and it works well. A good option if anyone wants a traditional looking retractable awning without spending a fortune.

Sorry for sideways iPhone pic!

Very pretty awning, @shh ! Love the colors!

Hard to tell, but it's a deep brick red/red with taupe/white stripes, not just red and white. The stripes all have finer stripes

It's beautiful! (Now I want one - AGAIN). :-D