Residential Conventional Awnings
What sizes are available?
Answer: Awnings are made to your specifications. There is no specific limit to the size or design of a conventional awning.
Does the awning need any poles to support it?
Answer: Some styles require down poles, depending on their width and projection. If you can describe the style you are looking for, we can tell you if poles will be needed.
How long will my awning last?
Answer: With proper use and care, you can expect your awning to last a very long time. Sunbrella and Dickson woven acrylic fabrics are warranted not to fade and to resist rot and mildew for five years with 1 to 2% fading per year thereafter. Replacement fabric can be provided at any time. Please note that residential conventional awnings must have their fabric removed in the Winter months for optimum life expectancy.
Can I use the awning in the rain?
Answer: Yes, however, you will want to avoid having water pool on the fabric. When large amounts of water collect on the fabric, it will stretch and become billow.
How long does it take to get a conventional awning?
Answer: Conventional awnings should be ordered in the Fall Season if possible, as turn-around times average 4-6 weeks, verses 8–10 weeks in the warmer months.
Residential Retractable Awnings
What sizes are available?
Answer: Awnings are made to your specifications. A standard retractable awning can be produced in lengths of 7' to 55' with projections of 5', 6'7", 8'2", 10', 11'6", and 13'1". The Sunrise model is custom made to the 1/4" to provide the perfect fit for all applications. In situations where the projection is greater than the width of the awning, our exclusive Little Big model will meet your needs.
Does the awning need any poles to support it?
Answer: None whatsoever. The combination of our strong steel mounting bar, spring loaded, triple-cable lateral arms, and a solid professional installation eliminates the need for support poles. You will have total freedom of movement beneath your retractable awning.
Do I need a motor?
Answer: A good general rule is if the awning is 20’ feet or larger in width, especially if it has a 13'1" projection, motorizing is a necessity. Although, with the use of a 7.8:1 gear instead of the standard 4:1 gear, larger awnings under 20’ wide can be manually operated with ease. Your motorized awning will allow you the convenience of flipping an interior switch or pressing a remote to deploy or retract your awning. All electrical work is done by our own licensed electrician to assure a clean, professional installation.
How long will my awning last?
Answer: With proper use and care, you can expect your awning to last a very long time. Sunbrella and Dickson woven acrylic fabrics are warranted not to fade and to resist rot and mildew for five years with 1 to 2% fading per year thereafter. We have many units that are over 12 years old and still going strong. When a re-cover is needed, the replacement fabric can be done for about a third of the original cost.
What is the hood and do I need one?
Answer: The protective hood is used on awnings that are installed on an exposed wall or roof. Since retractable awnings stay up year round, the hood acts as a gutter to shield the fabric from rain, ice, snow, and birds. When retracted, our unique hood design encloses the awning in a profile that measures 8.5" high x 6.5" deep, the smallest, sleekest in the industry. If your awning can be mounted beneath a soffit or overhang, the hood is not required. In a roof mount situation, our TOGA encases the fabric roll within an aluminum tube. Even when buried in snow, the awning fabric is completely protected.
Can I use the awning in the rain?
Answer: All retractable awnings are designed mainly for sun protection and should be retracted in heavy rains. However, awnings with shorter projections (5',6'7",8'2", 10') when pitched properly, can shed a light rain. You will want to avoid having water pool on the fabric. When large amounts of water collect on the fabric it will stretch and become billowy. Heavy amounts of water can also damage the frame. If you retract your awning when it is wet, make sure you extend it and let it dry the next day.
What is the wind ratings for awnings?
Answer: Creative retractable awnings, manufactured by Perfecta Awnings, Inc. are certified and wind tested to withstand 20 mph winds (Force 5). A good rule of thumb is as long as you are comfortable sitting on your deck reading a newspaper or having dinner, the awning is too. If it is too windy for you and you need to leave the deck, simply retract the awning.
How does the awning get mounted to my house?
Answer: First, all Creative awning installations are performed by experienced Creative Awning Staff. No subcontractors are sent to your home. Our cast aluminum brackets are securely lag bolted to solid framing members. The siding is not crushed, and mounting boards are usually not needed. We would like to have a minimum of 8' of height off the patio or deck for projections up to 10'. Longer projections should be mounted higher to assure correct pitch. Low overhangs or soffits present no problem since we can easily roof mount any retractable awning. Our installations are neat, clean, and watertight and usually take half a day to complete.
Aren't all retractable awnings basically the same?
Answer: In some ways that is true, most awning companies utilize the same fabric suppliers, Sunbrella and Dickson. Most awning companies use Somfy electrical components. The difference lies in the sturdiness of the framework, the quality of the sewing, and the attention to detail at each stage of the entire process including installation.
How do you price retractable awnings, by the square foot?
Answer: No. Since each Sunrise is custom made and may require different types of accessories, each awning is priced individually. For example, a 21' long x 13'1" projection has 2 arms, a 21' x 11'6" has three arms. The smaller awning actually costs more than the larger because of the additional arm. Pricing by the square foot would be unfair to the customer since the larger awning would always be more expensive. That is why we will come to your home, take an accurate measurement, show you the wide variety of fabric choices and photos of past installations, and give you a free no obligation quotation.
How long does it take to get a retractable awning?
Answer: Normally, we will be calling to set up a convenient installation time approximately 3-4 weeks from the date your awning was ordered.
Commercial Retractable Awnings
Why should I consider a retractable awning for my business?
Answer: A lateral arm or retractable awning uses spring-loaded arms to provide tension to the fabric as it rolls from the roll tube. The retractable awning provides versatility in that it can be extended all the way, or only as far as needed. When it's not needed it just rolls up, out of the way and stores itself. This can add another room to your business by protecting your guests from the harmful effects of the sun. You can also gain attention by adding graphics on the face of the awning or the valance.
What materials make up a retractable awning?
Answer: All of our retractable awnings are built with the finest materials. The units are primarily made of aluminum with a baked-on, powder-coated finish. The roll tube and mounting bar are made of steel for added strength. The mounting bar is also powder-coated. Each awning is custom ordered and manufactured to exact factory standards. Our highly-skilled workers will ensure that every unit that leaves our factory works to our demanding specifications, arriving at the job site assembled and tested and ready for a flawless installation. We are the factory, and problems that may arise can be handled through your local dealer and then us. We manufacture high-quality awnings and we stand behind every unit that leaves our factory.
How long will a retractable awning last?
Answer: With proper maintenance and care, and some basic common sense, the awning should provide you with years and years of trouble free, dependable service. Each unit comes from the factory with a 10-year common sense warranty. We take great pride in our product and our workmanship.
How is the awning supported since there are no poles?
Answer:
Perfecta retractable awnings are designed to be self-supporting. The steel mounting bar and steel roller tube provide horizontal strength to the awning. The double cables on the smaller units and the triple cables on the larger units apply an outward force that keeps the fabric tight.
How long will the fabric last?
Answer: Acrylic fabric provides the homeowner with years of protection against excessive fading, mildew and rot. The fabric company warrantees its product for a period of five years against manufacturers’ defect. Life expectancy should be eight to twelve years on a retractable cover when cleaning and care instructions are followed. Awnings can be recovered for approximately 1/3 the cost of the awning.
What is the minimum height to install an awning?
Answer: Perfecta suggests a roof mount system when a height limitation occurs. This is very common on a ranch style home. If the height is less than 8’ from the deck surface to the mounting location, we would use a roof-mounted system. The system still allows for water and snow to pass under the unit safely. The brackets are anchored into the rafters of the roof and properly caulked to prevent leakage.
How should the awning be used in different weather conditions?
Answer:
Perfecta retractable awnings are designed to be sunshades which provide UV protection. This product is not designed for rain protection; however, it can be used in drizzle or misting rains when strong winds are not present. In heavy rains, the awning should be retracted to avoid the “pooling” of water on the fabric which will cause irreversible stretching. The general rule of thumb in real life applications is if you are comfortable sitting outdoors reading the paper or dining, then it probably is safe to operate your awning.
Do I need to do anything special for winter storage?
Answer: Yes. Retract the awning for the winter. Remove your hanging valance by simply loosening the two small screws from the end cap on one side of the front bar. Next, slide the valance out of the front bar removing both the valance and the black PVC tubing. Pull the PVC tubing out of the valance hem, fold up the valance, and replace the PVC tubing back in the front bar. Reattach the end cap and tighten the screws.
Can I order matching awnings?
Answer: Yes, just ask us about this.
Can I add a drop front to my awning?
Answer: Yes,
Perfecta offers three different kinds of drop awnings which are Velcro fabric extensions, mesh extensions, and vario-volants which are operated with a gear. Call your local Perfecta dealer for more information.
I have purchased a hand crank awning. Can I convert it to a motorized unit?
Answer: Yes, you can! Most of our
Perfecta awnings can be converted to a motorized unit. Just contact your local Perfecta dealer and they will arrange for this upgrade.
Commercial Conventional Awnings
What sizes are available?
Answer: Awnings are made to your specifications. There is no specific limit to the size or design of a conventional awning.
Does the awning need any poles to support it?
Answer: Some styles require down poles, depending on their width and projection. If you can describe the style you are looking for, we can tell you if poles will be needed.
How long will my awning last?
Answer: With proper use and care, you can expect your awning to last a very long time. Sunbrella and Dickson woven acrylic fabrics are warranted not to fade and to resist rot and mildew for five years with 1 to 2% fading per year thereafter. Replacement fabric can be provided at any time. Please note that residential conventional awnings must have their fabric removed in the Winter months for optimum life expectancy.
Can I use the awning in the rain?
Answer: Yes, however, you will want to avoid having water pool on the fabric. When large amounts of water collect on the fabric it will stretch and become billow.
How long does it take to get a conventional awning?
Answer: Conventional awnings should be ordered in the Fall Season if possible, as turn-around times average 4-6 weeks, verses 8–10 weeks in the warmer months.
Sales, Purchasing, and Installation
How do I get started?
Answer: A quick phone call or e-mail will get your free in-home quotation scheduled. See our contact page for all the information and soon you'll have it made in the shade!
How can I pay for my new awnings?
Answer: We try to make it easy for you! While we gladly accept cash or checks, we also accept Visa and Mastercard.
