Sunair Awnings

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.