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Your
investment in a quality long-term recreational product, installed by
professionals, will prove to be a decision that you and your family
will enjoy for years to come.
It is
important to select the proper combination of the product, the
company who made it and the company who installs it. To insure that
your expectation will be met please use this check list as a guide.
A Well Designed and Engineered Product
 While all
awnings will provide you with shade, not all awnings are created
equal. It all starts with
the quality
construction of the awning. Durasol, Eclipse or Sunair, have created
the best designed and engineered retractable lateral arm awning
systems in the marketplace.
Durasol,
Eclipse or Sunair awnings have been rated the As the top retractable
Awning in the country by their customers – 98% of Durasol, Eclipse
or Sunair owners would recommend the product to a friend or
relative! Retractable awnings or lateral arm awnings are
self-supporting shading systems that are used for protection from
the sun’s harmful rays and keep your home cooler in the summer.
These units are mounted to a solid structure with no vertical
supports and should not be used in severe weather (strong winds and
rain). Awnings can be motorized.
Retractable
awnings are a lot like automobiles – there’s a large variety to
choose from. From a distance, most cars appear to be similar – they
all have fenders, doors, wheels, etc. Much of the value is unseen or
unclear until it is pointed out to you. Price depends on what you
want in terms of quality, comfort, durability, maintenance, options,
and all the other goodies you can add to a car to make it just right
for you. You get what you pay for. Motorized or hand operated
retractable awnings are
much the same way. There are many models to choose from, it just
depends on what your individual needs are. Listed below are some of
the features you should look for in a "quality" retractable awning
as a long-term investment for your home.
When
comparing other awnings, be sure to look for the following:
State of the Art Manufacturing of Key Component Parts. Durasol,
Eclipse or Sunair use Vacuum Injection-Cast Molding or the forged
casting process. These processes eliminate the possibility of any
microscopic air pockets forming in the finished part. The benefit
you receive as a consumer is a stronger and more attractive awning.
Compare this to other awnings that use a less expensive extrusion
process.
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TORSION BAR:
The
purpose of the torsion bar is to absorb movement and flex
from the complete system. All mechanical parts of the awning
are attached to this "backbone" bar. Durasol, Eclipse or
Sunair offers the choice of a steel or aluminum torsion bar
on their units. Typically, we would recommend the steel
torsion bar for the high amount of energy absorbing load
that they can handle. We’ve engineered our thick-walled
aluminum bar for seashore areas where an added level of
corrosion protection is desired. |
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ROLLER TUBE:
The
roller tube is what the fabric is attached to and where the
tension is provided on the fabric when the awning is
extended out. Durasol, Eclipse or Sunair incorporates steel
roller tubes into their shading products. Steel roller tubes
allow for 21’ wide by 10’ projections without the use of a
center support. Aluminum roller tubes have much more
deflection from the tension and weight of the fabric, which
would require a center support at shorter widths and lesser
projections than steel. Aluminum roller tubes may require
the use of center supports for widths as small as 13’.
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RETRACTABLE LATERAL ARMS:
The
role of the lateral arms is to work in conjunction with the
front bar and the roller tube to keep the fabric taut. The
benefit of having lateral arms is that you can easily walk
underneath the awning without having to walk around any side
supports or poles. When comparing lateral arms, consumers
typically take notice of the arm cables.
Lateral arms usually come with either one steel cable or
two. Durasol, Eclipse or Sunair uses a single 4mm stainless
steel cable constructed of 128-strand aircraft quality,
10,000 pound-test cables.
Numerous awning companies will use two cables in their arms,
but the two cables that they use are not 4mm. These
companies rely on two 2mm cables to handle the stress needed
to keep the fabric taut. Imagine trying to pull a tree stump
out of the ground using pull cables and a truck. Would you
prefer to use two smaller cables hoping that if one broke
the other can support the weight load, or would you use a
single heavy-duty cable?
Hopefully you would use the heavy-duty cable to ensure you
have a high-quality product to do the job effectively. Arm
cables work in the same manner; the larger arm cable can
handle the weight load of the awning more efficiently.
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ARM
SHOULDERS:
Connection from the arm to the torsion bar is
made with the arm shoulders. With arm shoulders, you want to
have a minimum number of parts to avoid play and
instability. When the shoulder is extruded, it consists of
parts that are bolted together.
Cast
arm shoulders require a much greater investment in moulds
and dyes, but they provide a “cleaner” look and a more
stable awning that requires less "readjustment" after
installation.
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INSTALLATION BRACKETS:
These sturdy mounting brackets attach to the
wood frame studs or masonry of your home. Durasol, Eclipse
or Sunair utilizes a bracket that can be mounted on both
walls and soffits. To accommodate every type of mounting
area, this bracket, combined with additional parts, can also
be mounted on the roof of your home. If you have less then
an 8’ clearance or desire a longer projection, we strongly
recommend you consider a roof mounting application. The
vacuum-injection cast molding of these brackets provides
unsurpassed strength and durability.
Over
the years, we have recognized that customers may move or put
an addition on to their homes, thus requiring the removal of
their awning. The versatility of the installation brackets
allows for the customers to have their local dealer
re-install the awning on a different mounting surface or
area. Many customers are happy to know that they can go from
a wall mount to a soffit mount and vice versa, without the
purchase of additional parts. |
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FRONT BAR:
Durasol, Eclipse or Sunair uses a front bars that are
unmatched in quality to prevent sagging, bowing and
deflection. Most competitive systems use a single or double
chambered bar that offer less than half of the stiffness of
the Durasol, Eclipse or Sunair bar. The arms, fabric and
valance are all connected to the front bar. The front bar is
the outer most point of the projection.
On
lateral arm awnings, the fabric is only connected to the
roller tube and the front bar. When the wind gets underneath
the awning, the arms will bend or react to changing weather
conditions, thus allowing the awning to billow up. All the
stress of this billowing is transferred to the connection on
the roller tube and front bar. Durasol, Eclipse or Sunair
uses a front bar that has been unmatched in its quality to
prevent sagging, bowing and deflection. There are items you
can buy to lock down the front bar, such as legs and poles.
Remember, a lateral arm awning is designed to have the
fabric billow up and the arms fold inward during wind. This
eliminates stress on the wall and the rest of the system.
When the wind dies down, the arm extends back out using the
fabric as a cushion. |
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PROTECTIVE HOOD:
Retractable awnings are self-storing when retracted, but,
the need for additional protection may be required depending
on the mounting area. The majority of units we sell will
require a protective hood if the unit will be roof mounted
or mounted on a wall that does not have an overhang or
soffit in close proximity. The hood may also be utilized to
protect the unit from ice, snow or any other type of harsh
weather when the awning is not in use. A hood will also keep
the fabric cleaner and help to protect the enclosed motor
from the elements. |
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ELECTRONIC OPTIONS:
Many
people question the option of whether or not to motorize
their awning. Over 85% of the awnings that Durasol, Eclipse
or Sunair produces are motorized. The average time it takes
to extend a motorized awning is about 20 seconds, using a
hand crank can take up to 2 minutes. By simply pushing a
button, you can save considerable time and effort, as well
as avoid possible unit damage associated with rolling it up
wrong or extending it too far. Another thing to consider
about motorized awnings is the various electronic options
that can further suit your needs. Durasol, Eclipse or Sunair
offers an assortment of electronic options including remote
controls, indoor and outdoor switches, and weather sensors. |
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FABRIC CUTTING AND SEWING:
For an awning to have the best fabric fit possible, nothing
beats computerized cutting of the fabric panels and
computerized sewing of the seams.
Computerized cutting insures that all cuts are straight,
square and concise. These cutting machines are accurate to
within 1/100 of an inch!
Computerized sewing provides consistent and straight sewing
with turned a tailored edges. This allows the fabric to lay
better and provides a more visually pleasing appearance. It
also guarantees a square cover, for better performance. Lock
stitching is used in the sewing process so that the panels
will not separate if a link in the stitching is broken.
Quality and consistency at this level cannot be achieved
without the aid of computer assistance. Many companies are
still cutting and sewing their awning covers by hand. |
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FABRIC:
The
first thing to consider is what type of fabric will best
meet your needs. The fabric choices today for lateral arm
awnings are acrylic or vinyl. The waterproof nature of vinyl
fabrics makes them ideal for commercial applications and for
use on trailer-type Awnings. These types of systems have
limited dimensional stability requirements for fabrics,
relying mostly on the unit’s framework. The lack of
dimensional stability found in vinyl fabrics does not make
them an ideal candidate for lateral arm awnings.
With
changing weather conditions, vinyl covers will heat up and
stretch, affecting the performance and factory settings of
your awning – not to mention the smell of the plastics
leaching out. |
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Today’s acrylic fabrics are woven specifically for use on
retractable awnings. This heavy-grade acrylic fabric
provides protection from harmful UV rays, while allowing
most of the sun’s energy to be deflected. Acrylic fabric on
your lateral arm awning will allow the area under the
awning, as well as the nearby indoor areas, to be much
cooler. Acrylic fabric is woven, which it allows it to
“breathe” and increase resistance from moisture and mildew.
Durasol, Eclipse or Sunair uses solution dyed acrylic
fabrics from Sunbrella, Dickson, Para and Statler – both
woven by the world’s leading producer, Glen Raven Mills.
Solution dyeing (adding color while still in a liquid state)
locks the colors into the acrylic fibers. This process
reduces fading and increases the aesthetics of the product,
making each fiber much like a carrot – the same color all
the way through.
The
second thing to consider is which color will work best.
Durasol, Eclipse or Sunair offers over 200 designer colors
and patterns to choose from. Many consumers wonder if they
should choose a dark or light color fabric. Dark color
fabrics will provide anywhere from 95-98% UV protection,
while light color fabrics will resist 94-96% of these rays.
If you are considering an awning to conserve energy, then
lighter color fabrics are your best choice. Please keep in
mind that the lighter the fabric, the more dirt will
typically show over time, which may require periodic
cleaning. |
A Dependable Manufacturing Company
An awning is a long-term investment in the comfort and the beauty of
your home. You need to be sure that the manufacturer of that awning
will be able to supply any replacement parts, should you ever have
the need for them.
Durasol, Eclipse and Sunair were founded in 1970’s
and 80s’ and are the largest manufacturers of awnings in the United
States.
They each have
over 100,000 square feet of floor space dedicated to the
manufacturing of retractable arm awnings. Their size and depth
enables them to have a large selection of replacement parts on the
shelf, ready for immediate delivery. In fact, they continue to have
parts availability for every awning they have ever manufactured.
Be certain that any other awning you are considering
has this type of factory support. You can get a feel for the
stability of a potential manufacturer by asking:
1. If they
have had significant turnover in ownership or key management
positions in recent years, or months.
2. If they are currently up for sale, or have been so recently.
3. If they are currently profitable and have been over the last
several years.
4. How long they have been in business.
The warranty
put on a product is also indicative of the strength of the product
and the company behind it. Durasol, Eclipse and Sunair warranty all
components for 5 years and frame components for 5, 10, or 12 years.
An Established and Well Respected Local Dealer
Southwest Shade Solutions has been in business since
1993. As the largest retractable awning Durasol, Eclipse or
Sunair dealer in Texas, we have the experience and stability
necessary to provide you with the peace of mind you want when making
an investment in a retractable awning or solar screen system.
We carry $2
million of liability insurance should any unusual or unforeseen
circumstance arise. Ask the other companies how much insurance they
carry.
We are members of the Better Business Bureau and the Industrial
Fabrics Association International.
A Flawless Installation by Factory Trained Installers
A poor installation is your worst nightmare.
Improperly installed awnings can put you family at risk and the
integrity of your home in jeopardy. In a windy environment like
North Central Texas do not take chances, a poor installation can
cause sever damage to your home.
You can purchase various systems from many dealers in
your area. The best place for you to purchase a Durasol, Eclipse or
Sunair awning is from Southwest Shade Solutions. We are factory
trained and will ensure that your awning is professionally installed
and serviced. Consider that the awning will be mounted directly over
the heads of your family. Do you want to risk having an installation
failure? Why not leave your installation to the professionals – it’s
money well spent. Durasol, Eclipse and Sunair dealers are selected
to provide you with peace-of-mind – knowing you have chosen a
quality local company that stands behind their work and can provide
references on request.
Buy a Quality Product, From a Quality
Manufacturer, Installed by a Quality Company
Remember that an awning is a long-term investment in
your comfort and safety. Be certain that you are choosing the right
solution to deliver these results.
Durasol,
Eclipse or Sunair awnings are the best-engineered and designed
system for a basic retractable lateral arm awning today. Durasol,
Eclipse or Sunair are one of the few, if not the only, awning
manufacturers that is not concerned with how many dealers carry
their product line, but rather are more concerned with the quality
of the dealers that they partner with. Not everyone can be a Durasol,
Eclipse or Sunair dealer – only the best will do. That’s why we have
over a 98% nation-wide customer satisfaction rate. Your investment
in a quality long-term shading product, installed by professionals,
will prove to be a decision that you and your family will enjoy for
years to come. We back your purchase with a factory-registered
warranty, something unheard of in the industry. |
