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DIY Retractable Awning

AVERAGE RATING
2.1
Based on reviews (
5
)

DIY Retractable Awning is a supplier and manufacturer of custom-made retractable awnings, patio awnings, and various shading products. Their website has a DIY awning customization page where a customer can select the size, frame color, fabric color, motorized drive options, manual crank size, and how it is mounted.

Aluminum frame components are from Europe and the United States and the shade cover is made of dyed acrylic fabric from suppliers like Sunbrella. Product assembly is at their New York office with fabric cutting done using a computer-aided process. Here are some of their products and services.

  • DIY Retractable awnings – 3 models available, the Suncover 1000, 4000 and 5000, the difference is mainly on size and quality of materials. Using their retractable awning builder page, a personalized product can be designed to fit a customer’s requirement.
  • Awning fabric replacement – For pergola and awning owners who wants to replace their defective fabric or want to have another design or color. The company can send up to 5 swatches for free allowing customers to physically see and feel the fabric before purchasing.
  • Replacement parts – They sell parts and accessories like wind, heat or water sensors, lights, motors to help retract, infrared heaters, and drop shades. Not all items and parts fit all awning brands so be careful when purchasing.

As stated by DIY Retractable Awning, they do not import products from China as they deem them to be of poor quality. Electing to source products only from Europe and North America

 

Customer Support Service Helpdesk, online chat, and email

Clients reviews

2
Caliber / Quality: 3
Assistance / Service: 1
Affordability: 2

Noah L.

I’ve had my manual DIY Retractable Awning Suncover 4000 up and in use for a week. We’ve used it every day, so now I feel comfortable writing a review. The actual fabric color isn’t the same as the image color I zoomed in on the computer to see. Different monitors give different colors. I requested samples but they said they don’t send fabric samples thus the service rating of 1 out of 5 stars. The sand color of the aluminum frame isn’t the same either. However, it still somewhat compliments the fabric and house trim. Installation was not easy unless you have basic DIY skills. A second set of hands is helpful though. I agree with other DIY reviewers that a DVD or video link would be beneficial. As the manufacturer notes, manual operation is about 70 turns of the crank, which can be a workout. Whomever you purchase from, I highly recommend ordering your retractable canopy motorized.
2
Caliber / Quality: 1
Assistance / Service: 2
Affordability: 3

Raymond Zoegelbaum

I bought my Suncover 5000 DIY retractable awning on sale. The free motor and free shipping were the deciding factors. I soon realized that free motor and free shipping are not important when the quality of the product is so poor – Crappy Asian components were used to make the awning. Also, the savings on the motor was eaten up by the protective hood, which is standard on most other’s products. The order process wasn’t too difficult, but it would have been nice to see the different fabric colors together with the valance braid for comparison. I had to open up different tabs to compare colors. The installation wasn’t too hard. I did install a 2 x 10 timber board to mount the awning to, easier than trying to find the studs. A link to installation videos or an included DVD would have been helpful as other reviews noted.
2.3
Caliber / Quality: 2
Assistance / Service: 2
Affordability: 3

Jane Smith

Our DIY Suncover 5000 retractable awning was installed by our handyman, and we’ve been using it for a couple of months. The order process was ok. However, selecting a fabric colour could be easier. Like several of the other online testimonials comment, an installation DVD or link would be helpful. The white powder coated aluminum framework isn’t as shiny as I would like it, even though it does get wiped off once a week – we’re a bit OCD on cleaning and appearance. We went with the manual crank, so we didn’t have to install an outlet. It is quite a workout opening or closing our 13’ projection. My husband will have to make a hook bit for the cordless drill or go to the gym – lol. The fabric has already lost most of its original colour after only 6 months and rain leaks through it even though I was told it was water repellent. I guess it does the job (light rain protection excluded) and provides shade on a sunny day although I regret not ordering a motorized retractable awning.
2.3
Caliber / Quality: 3
Assistance / Service: 2
Affordability: 2

Emilía Einarsson

Our motorized DIY Retractable Awning Suncover 4000 model has been up for a month now, and we’ve enjoyed the shade almost every day. I’m glad I went with the motor after reading the reviews and literature. At the end of the day, I don’t want a workout with the crank! The ordering was difficult as items available are not explained or shown properly. The color of the fabric was different on my laptop and my husband’s tablet, so we weren’t sure what it would look like until we opened the shipping package. We didn’t notice the sample request section until after we’d ordered. It’s in the replacement section but not the order area, a very poor website design. The motor starts quiet but gets louder and louder the longer it runs, especially when it retracts the awning. The shade created is comforting and makes our time outside more relaxing.
1.7
Caliber / Quality: 1
Assistance / Service: 1
Affordability: 3

Maria Hernandez

I’m looking forward to using our 16-foot DIY retractable awning Suncover 1000. I went with the Chinese made Suncover 1000 because the prices on other models were out of my budget. All the parts were included for installation. As to mounting itself, I found it really hard to deal with as the instructions were poor and lacked detail. The awning has a Chinese electric motor included. Hope it keeps working (I really dislike manual cranking) and my new motorized retractable awning won’t fall apart the day after the very short warranty runs out. From appearance, it is not a product I can recommend. I’ll add more when I’ve had it longer.

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DIY Retractable Awning PRODUCTS

Based on user reviews
2.2
diy retractable awning
Retractable company: DIY Retractable Awning
Model review:
Suncover 4000

Latest user review

Average rating: 2
Name: Noah L.
“I’ve had my manual DIY Retractable Awning Suncover 4000 up and in use for a week. We’ve used it every day, so now I…”
2.2
diy retractable awning
Retractable company: DIY Retractable Awning
Model review:
Suncover 5000

Latest user review

Average rating: 2
Name: Raymond Zoegelbaum
“I bought my Suncover 5000 DIY retractable awning on sale. The free motor and free shipping were the deciding factors. I soon realized that…”
1.7
diy retractable awning
Retractable company: DIY Retractable Awning
Model review:
Suncover 1000

Latest user review

Average rating: 1.7
Name: Maria Hernandez
“I’m looking forward to using our 16-foot DIY retractable awning Suncover 1000. I went with the Chinese made Suncover 1000 because the prices on…”

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