The Aristocrat Estate (left) and Manor (right) — semi-cassette and full cassette retractable awning models.
After 35+ years of selling and installing retractable awnings across South Jersey, we’ve heard every question homeowners ask before pulling the trigger. This guide covers the answers to all of them—straight from our experience, not a manufacturer’s brochure.
Whether you’re comparing awnings online, getting quotes from local companies, or just trying to figure out if a retractable awning is right for your patio, this is everything you need to know.
Will the Fabric Fade?
This is the number one concern we hear, and for good reason—nobody wants to invest in an awning that looks washed out after a few summers. The short answer is no, and here’s why.
Our awnings come standard with NorthPort fabric, a solution-dyed acrylic with a Teflon® coating. “Solution-dyed” means the color is baked into the fiber at the molecular level during manufacturing, not applied to the surface afterward. This gives NorthPort fabric a best-in-class 12-year warranty against fading—two years more than the industry standard.
We also offer the full Sunbrella® fabric library for homeowners who want access to Sunbrella’s broader selection of colors and patterns. Sunbrella carries a 10-year fade warranty, which is still excellent and has been the industry benchmark for decades.
A portion of our NorthPort fabric library. Solids, tweeds, and stripes in every color family.
Can I Use My Awning in the Rain?
Yes—absolutely. The Teflon® coating on NorthPort fabric makes it virtually impossible for rain to penetrate the fabric itself. You can leave your awning extended during a rainstorm and stay dry underneath.
The one thing to keep in mind: let the fabric dry before retracting. If you roll up wet fabric into the cassette or hood, trapped moisture can promote mildew growth over time. Extended it during an afternoon shower? Just leave it out for a bit afterward until it dries.
How Much Wind Can It Handle?
Our rule of thumb is simple: if you’re comfortable being outside, the awning can be out too.
In more specific terms, the Aristocrat Estate is rated for gusts up to 25–30 mph, and the Eko handles up to 20 mph. But regardless of what the specs say, we always recommend not leaving your awning extended unattended when the weather looks uncertain. You can check the forecast before heading out—the awning can’t.
What About Wind Sensors?
We get asked about wind sensors all the time, and this is one area where our advice differs from what you might read online. Based on over 35 years of experience, we strongly advise against wind sensors.
Here’s the reality: the sensitivity is extremely hard to calibrate correctly. Set it too sensitive and the awning retracts every time there’s a light breeze while you’re trying to enjoy your patio. Set it too loose and it stays out when a real storm rolls in. The majority of awning damage calls we receive are from customers who relied on a wind sensor instead of simply retracting manually when the weather turned.
HOA exception: A small percentage of HOAs require wind sensors. If your association mandates one, we will install it. But for everyone else, we recommend managing it yourself—it’s the most reliable way to protect your investment.
Motorized vs. Manual: Which Should You Get?
Motorized awnings are by far the more popular choice these days, but manual crank awnings are still a solid option for some homeowners. Here’s the question we always ask: these awnings can last 30+ years. Will you want to be manually cranking it 10 or 20 years from now?
The other concern we hear is that a motor is “just another thing that can break.” We get it. But after 35+ years in this business, our experience tells a different story: the motors actually outlast manual gear mechanisms. Manual gears have more moving parts that wear over time. A quality tubular motor, by contrast, is sealed and operates with minimal internal friction.
If you go motorized, you can also add Tahoma smart home integration for app control and scheduling—extend and retract from your phone, or set it on a timer based on time of day.
What Sizes Are Available?
We carry three main Aristocrat retractable models. Here’s what each can do:
- Eko: Maximum projection of 10’ 2”. Wind rated to 20 mph. A great entry-level model.
- Manor: Full cassette design with larger front bar and bottom tray that completely encloses the fabric and mechanism. Maximum projection of 13’ 1”. Sleek, modern look—no fabric valance needed.
- Estate: Semi-cassette with hood, tray, and back cover options. Maximum projection of 13’ 1”. Wind rated to 25–30 mph. Already does an excellent job keeping out birds, critters, and weather. Our most popular model.
Maximum width on any model is 23 feet in a single unit. For extra-wide patios or commercial applications, we can go up to 41 feet by assembling the awning in two sections.
The Aristocrat Estate — semi-cassette design with hood, tray, and back cover options.
What Can You Mount It To?
We can mount to virtually all substrates—vinyl siding, brick, stucco, wood, aluminum, and more. In some cases, installing on carports or sunrooms may not be possible due to structural limitations, but we’ll assess that during your free consultation.
Here’s something that sets our installation apart: we typically install the awning on a ledger board rather than bolting brackets directly to your house. This distributes the load evenly across your wall, creating a stronger and more secure mount that protects both the awning and your home’s exterior. It takes longer—our installations run 3–4 hours versus the 1–2 hours you might see from companies that just drill into siding—but the result is a more solid, long-lasting installation.
Available Accessories
Beyond the awning itself, there are a few accessories that can make a big difference in how much you enjoy your outdoor space:
Vario Valance — A retractable shade that rolls off the front bar of the awning. When the sun drops low in the afternoon and comes in under the awning, the Vario Valance drops down to block it. Also adds a layer of privacy.
LED Light Kit — Four diffused light bars that attach to the underside of the arms. Turn your patio into an evening hangout without adding separate lighting fixtures.
Tahoma Smart Home Integration — Connect your motorized awning to your smart home ecosystem for app control, voice control, and automatic scheduling.
Drop shades add low-angle sun protection and privacy to porches and covered patios.
How to Clean Your Awning
We’ve always recommended a simple cleaning solution: 30 parts water, 1 part bleach, 1 part mild detergent (something like Woolite works great). Apply with a soft brush, rinse thoroughly, and allow the fabric to air-dry completely before retracting.
Canvas cleaner and Simple Green are also good alternatives if you prefer a ready-made product. Never use a pressure washer on awning fabric, and never retract the awning while the fabric is still wet.
How Does Pricing Compare to Buying Online?
This surprises a lot of homeowners: our pricing for a premium Aristocrat awning with professional installation included is the same or less than what large online retailers charge—and they don’t include installation.
Once you factor in shipping costs and sales tax, the online price advantage evaporates quickly. And here’s an important detail: when you buy an awning with installation from a local company, it qualifies as a capital improvement to your home, which means lower sales tax in New Jersey compared to buying the product alone.
Plus you get the benefit of working with a local team who has a showroom you can visit, 35+ years of awning experience, and the ability to help you choose exactly the right size, model, and fabric for your specific space. We also service everything we sell—and can get parts for our awnings going back 25+ years.
Can You Put New Fabric on an Existing Awning?
Yes. We can replace the fabric on all of the awnings we sell and on most awnings made by other manufacturers as well. If you love your frame but want a fresh look, or your fabric has seen better days after 15–20 years, a re-cover is a cost-effective way to make your awning look brand new without replacing the entire unit.
Hundreds of fabric options in the NorthPort and Sunbrella® libraries.
Beyond Retractable Awnings
Retractable patio awnings are our most popular outdoor product, but they’re not the only solution we offer. Depending on your space, one of these might be a better fit:
Cottage Window & Door Awnings — Classic retractable window awnings with cassette housing. Protect entryways from rain and reduce heat gain through windows.
Solar Shades with Clear Acrylic — Motorized panels with Keder-captured edge technology that create a fully enclosed outdoor space while maintaining visibility. Popular with restaurants and breweries that want year-round outdoor seating.
Insulated Roof Patio Covers — Permanent aluminum structures with insulated roof panels for true all-weather outdoor rooms.
Pergola Shades — Retractable fabric panels that mount to existing pergola structures, adding shade and wind protection.
Ready to Explore Your Awning Options?
We offer free consultations at your home or at our Pennsauken showroom. We’ll bring fabric samples, assess your space, and give you a clear quote—no pressure, no gimmicks.