Answers to Our Most Frequently Asked Question

1. I'm not a professional carpenter - I'm not even that handy with tools. Can I really install my awning myself?
2. I have a Ranch house with low eaves. Will the SunSetter fit on my home?
3. Is the SunSetter good for use on a garage, outbuilding, or mobile home?
4. Why do SunSetter's cost so much less than a custom awning? Will it stand up to years of service? Will it last?
5. I notice that the SunSetter Awnings in stripe patterns come on a cream background. Why?
6. What type of fabric do you use and how long will it last?
7. How are SunSetter's in the wind? Can I leave my awning open all the time?
8. Can I adjust the front height of the awning?
9. My deck only comes out 8ft from the house. Can I still use the SunSetter Motorized awning?
10. What about rain? Will I have problems with leaks?
11. Can I install the awning on vinyl or aluminum siding, stucco, or on masonry?
12. Can I mount the motorized awning directly to a soffit or overhang?
13. What accessories do you offer for the SunSetter?
14. Do I have to take down my awning and store it over the winter?
15. Is the awning fabric easy to clean?
16. Can a SunSetter help keep the inside of my home cooler?
17. Will I need to hire an electrician to wire my new Motorized SunSetter PRO?
18. Is the motor included or do I have to purchase it separately?
19. What do I do if I lose my electricity? How can I close the Motorized awning?
20. Can I pay for my awning over time, in installments?
21. How long have you been in business?

1. Question: I'm not a professional carpenter - I'm not even that handy with tools. Can I really install my awning myself?
    
   Answer: Absolutely. It doesn't take any special background or skills to install our awnings properly. All you have to do is follow the easy steps in the handy Installation booklet we'll send you. We'll show you everything you need to know. You can have your SunSetter up and functioning in a short morning's work, using a few simple tools. The SunSetter Motorized PRO Awning is even designed as a "Plug-in" unit: Just secure the support brackets to the studs, then "plug" our factory-pre-assembled awning into the brackets and "plug" the power cord into your outdoor outlet, and you are ready to enjoy your awning! If you don't have the time or desire to install it yourself, your local handyman can do it for you in approximately 2 to 3 hours.
    
   If you need help, call us Toll Free at: 1-800-780-8677. We have technicians on hand who can help homeowners on all skill levels put up their own awnings. Our staff can have you enjoying your self-installed SunSetter in no time. We're always there if you need us. Your awning comes complete with all the mounting hardware you need. ( if you need special brackets for eave mounting or other special situation, please specify that when placing your order online or by phone.)
    
   
    
2. Question: I have a Ranch house with low eaves. Will the SunSetter fit on my home?
    
   Answer: The SunSetter motorized Awning and VISTA awning need a floor-to-eave clearance of 7 ft. 6 inches. You can install any model up to 10 ft. off the deck floor. If you need help, call us Toll Free at: 1-800-780-8677.
    
   
    
3. Question: Is the SunSetter good for use on a garage, outbuilding, or mobile home?
    
   Answer: Yes. Many people have installed SunSetter Awnings on their garages, mobile homes, poolside fences, and other stationary walls.
    
   
    
4. Question: Why do SunSetter cost so much less than a custom awning? Will it stand up to years of service? Will it last?
    
   Answer: SunSetter are such good values because as the largest American manufacturer of home Awnings, they buy raw materials at the best prices possible, and pass the savings along to you. Yet when it comes to quality you'll find you're not giving up anything. Your SunSetter PRO Awning is assembled with care in America at our 64,000 sq. ft. factory using only the finest quality materials. Our struts and supports are made from aircraft-quality aluminum for superior strength without excess weight. Our rolling mechanisms have been tested for over 20,000 cycles without failure - the equivalent of over 20 year's use.
    
   
   Our 14-oz. fabric is 5 layers. It's coated on both sides and has no seams or stitches to wear or leak over time. It's guaranteed not to fade, crack or mildew for 5 years and gives you 99% protection against harmful UV rays. Your SunSetter comes with a 5-Year Limited Warranty against defects in materials or workmanship. These quality awnings are made for years and years of hassle-free operation.
    
   
    
5. Question: I notice that the SunSetter PRO Awnings in stripe patterns come on a cream background. Why?
    
   Answer: We experimented with various color combinations to find the best choices that would both let in sufficient light and keep temperatures down under the awning canopy. Our solid cream or five accent stripe patterns go well with all types of house colors and siding styles, and also let in wonderful, soft filtered light - so the living area under the awning is bright and cheery. The cream color in each striped style helps reflect sunlight, thus keeping temperatures down in the comfort zone.
    
   Of course, for those who prefer solid colors, we also offer awnings in solid green or cream. We've chosen the most popular colors and produce them in efficient quantities to keep costs down.
    
   
    
6. Question: What type of fabric do you use and how long does it last?
    
   Answer: The SunSetter fabric is a strong, commercial grade, 100% waterproof re-enforced vinyl. The fabric is 5 layers, stain-resistant with a coating of acrylic on each side, fade-resistant pigment and 1000 denier scrim. Easy to clean so your awning fabric will look beautiful for years to come.
    
   
    
7. Question: How are SunSetter in the wind? Can I leave my awning open all the time?
    
   Answer: Our awnings are sturdy and do very well in the wind. However, we do recommend that you retract them during strong, gusty winds. (The SunSetter Motorized PRO Awning is intended to be retracted when not in use anyway.) In fact, that's an advantage of SunSetter. Because they retract, they're great for breezy locales where a permanent awning would be somewhat impractical and prone to damage.
    
   
    
8. Question: Can I adjust the front height of the awning?
    
   Answer: Yes, the front height on the SunSetter Motorized PRO Awning can also be adjusted, but it requires a few mechanical steps.
    
   
    
9. Question: My deck only comes out 8ft from my house. Can I still use the SunSetter PRO Motorized Awning?
    
   Answer: Yes. You can roll the awning out completely past your deck edge or railing, or you can adjust the preset factory settings so that your awning only opens to the desired extension. You can also stop the awning anywhere during the opening or closing process simply by putting the switch in the neutral position.
    
   
    
10. Question: What about rain? Will I have problems with leaks?
     
    Answer: No. Unlike awnings made with woven materials, our awning fabric is 100% waterproof. You won't get a "fine mist" coming through the fabric. Please note that, while our awning will protect you from light rain and drizzle, you must retract it when the water starts to pool.
     
    
     
11. Question: Can I install the awning on vinyl or aluminum siding, stucco, or on masonry?
    
    Answer: Yes. It's easy. Our Motorized PRO model can be installed directly onto any siding without a board provided the proper anchors are in place.
     
    
     
12. Question: Can I mount the motorized awning directly to a soffit or overhang?
     
    Answer: Yes. We have special brackets for mounting the motorized awning to a soffit or overhang. When ordering be sure to specify that you need the soffit mount brackets instead of the standard wall mount brackets.
     
    
     
13. Question: What accessories do you offer for the SunSetter?
     
    Answer: Optional accessories for our SunSetter PRO Awnings include our are: side SunSetter Weatherbreaker Panels (front panel is included with our SunSetter PRO awnings) designed to block sun, rain and wind from coming in under the awning; Patio Lights that let you enjoy your awning in the evening, our Awning Cover for storage, and our deck mats available in 9 ft. wide by 9 to 16' long!. All SunSetter accessories are warranted for 5 years.
     
    
     
14. Question: Do I have to take down my awning and store it over the winter?
     
    Answer: No. Just close your awning and leave it on your house all year long. Our fabric has been designed to withstand the elements year round. But if you want extra protection, our optional matching awning cover is perfect!
     
    
     
15. Question: Is the awning fabric easy to clean?
     
    Answer: Yes. This is a major advantage of our fabric over those of other awnings. With its coating of acrylic on each side, fade-resistant pigment, and 1000 denier scrim, our awning fabric is stronger and easier to keep clean than virtually any other awning fabric. Dirt and stains that would "set" in other woven fabrics will just wash off ours. So your awning will look beautiful for many years to come.
     
    
     
16. Question: Can a SunSetter help keep the inside of my home cooler?
     
    Answer: Yes. In addition to keeping your deck or patio up to 20 degrees cooler, by blocking the sun from shining in a patio door or window, you can keep the inside of your house cooler, save on air conditioning bills and prevent your carpets from fading!
     
    
     
17. Question: Will I need to hire an electrician to wire the Motorized SunSetter?
     
    Answer: No. Your SunSetter PRO Motorized Awning comes with a 12 foot cord with a UL approved outdoor switch about 6 feet down the cord, and a regular electrical plug at the end. Just plug your awning in and it's ready to go! (As with all outdoor appliances, a ground fault interrupter outlet is highly recommended.) The only reason you might want an electrician is to install an outlet if you don't already have one within reach of the awning cord. (Of course, you can use a heavy duty grounded extension cord with your awning, too.)
     
    
     
18. Question: Is the motor included or do I have to purchase it separately?
     
    Answer: All SunSetter PRO Motorized Awnings come with a quiet, rugged, Somfy electric motor. (the world's best awning motor).
     
    
     
19. Question: What do I do if I lose my electricity? How can I close the Motorized awning?
     
    Answer: No problem. All our SOMFY™ motors come with a manual override. Just turn the manual gear using the wand that comes with your awning.
     
    
     
20. Question: Can I pay for my awning over time, in installments?
     
    Answer: No. We do not currently offer payment plans for SunSetter PRO Motorized Awnings.
     
    
     
21. Question: How long have you been in business?
     
    Answer: We've been in the awning business for over 40 years, and we've been selling patio and deck awnings for many years.