Company Reviews

My parents downsized and moved into a new single-story ranch style home with lots of windows. The sun through their double patio doors was cooking them, and they didn’t have any shade outside to sit under. My siblings and I got them a 20ft x 10ft motorized Sunair Suntube retractable awning with the sun, rain, and wind sensors. The Sunair dealer installers said the roof mount installation was more difficult than expected, and it took four people to lift and secure it in place, and to adjust the pitch. We went with the sensors, so the awning operates automatically, and provides shade if it’s sunny. I just hope everything works as it’s supposed to as the caliber is not that great considering it was VERY costly.

I purchased a 15’X10’ Sunchoice Sunair manually operated retractable awning a month ago from a Sunair dealer. There were very few choices for both the frame and fabric colors. I went with a standard frame size that covered the whole patio. The white powder-coat frame matches the trim, but the striped fabric color we chose does not look good against the brickwork. I should have requested fabric samples. The install was a challenge drilling anchors into the brick of my Texas ranch, and ensuring everything was level. Aside from that, it was fairly easy for a buddy and me to do. The awning opens easy but takes more effort to close. Pitch adjustment also needed two sets of hands, one to lift the weight of the front bar, and the other to make the adjustments. FYI, during installation on a Saturday, I called Sunair with questions and someone named Robert told me that since I installed the unit myself and it was not installed by an “authorized” Sunair dealer, the warranty on the entire product is now void. Robert told me this product is from China while the dealer told me it is from the USA. Don’t buy Sunair is the moral of my “story”.

Our black framed Pratic Sunair Phoenix 6 leg retractable pergola (very expensive) looked great when it was installed but after only 2 years the frame and assembly screws have begun to corrode. Also, what we don’t like about it, is that the water drips off the edges on both sides and on to our pavers, causing a terrible splash when sitting under the Phoenix awning. Our main reason for purchasing this model was rain protection and we get wet every time it rains and we are under it. My recommendation would be to stay clear of the Pratic Sunair Phoenix and instead by a pergola from a different vendor that has built-in gutter drainage where the water exits from holes at the bottom of the poles.

My husband and I have several rental units that needed sprucing up. We decided to add manual awnings to cover the patio doors and a small deck. Installation went easier than expected with two Sunair dealer installers. They managed to get two Sunstar Sunair awnings up the first day, and the third the next day. The awning frame seems to be very lightweight and thin and I’m concerned they may be a liability even though there is a warranty – time will tell and we will update this post in the future.

We got tired of problems with umbrellas tipping over continuously and not keeping out the rain, so we installed a central beam with a Sunair motorized awning on either side. The awning installation was easier than we thought, although the factory guarantee apparently is not in effect since we self-installed. Drilling the holes in the steel beam and keeping them level wasn’t too difficult for my husband. Our electrician did the hardwiring so we have an indoor and outdoor hardwired switch. I must say the powder-coated frames aren’t as heavy as expected for the money we paid. Hopefully, we get several seasons out of them since the Dooya Chinese motor makes a lot of noise when opening and closing.

I was in the market for a retractable shade awning for my back patio. It faces west and can really heat up. I went with the Sunair manual retractable model by Sunair. I didn’t really think about it, just saw it and bought it. It was like shopping for groceries when you’re hungry. I went with the manual model so I wouldn’t have to worry about hardwiring, plus it was less expensive. I’ve since read consumer reviews on the internet, so I’m glad I skipped the motor. It took a while for the dealer to install it, and the housing looks a lot bigger on my house than in the showroom. It shades the deck but I’m not sure how it will stand up to the winds as it seems kind of flimsy, so I retract it when not in use. I have noticed a couple of birds and a tree frog trying to turn the awning housing into a home. Hopefully, that won’t be a problem. I’ll post more in a few months.