| Installation
and Service Support |
Factory - trained local professionals with outstanding customer service reputations. Professional advice and instructions for the "Do It Yourself" Homeowner that would like to install their own Solarus Retractable Awning. | Shared national 800 telephone numbers and in-experienced tele-marketers with little to no support. |
| Factory completion |
Web site orders ship out from our factory within 3 - 5 workdays. |
2 weeks at best |
| Production process |
Each individually and custom made to order. Outstanding quality control utilizing Built to Last,Technology. |
Pre-fabricated to only a few sizes. Poor quality control emphasis on product. |
| Standard Warranty |
*Sun Shield TM, Patio awning frame, fabric and motor guaranteed against manufactures defects for a period of 5 years. This only applies to shipped out, self installed units. (Please note locally installed units by Solarus USA carry a Lifetime warrantee on frames, 10 years on fabric, Lifetime on stitching and 5 years on motors.) |
The fabric is usually not covered. The frame and parts carry a limited "pro-rated" warrantee, meaning that the customer must pay a portion of the cost of replacement. |
| Additional Warranty
Required |
No additional warranty required |
Additional warranty to cover
the fabric costs between $119
and $159. |
| Mounting fixtures |
All types: heavy duty wall, ceiling, soffit and roof brackets. |
2 types at most: standard, lightweight wall or soffit brackets. |
| Mounting Bar |
Special "German", corrosion proof, hot double dipped galvanized, hard carbon memory flex steel to allow for extra windy climates and many years of corrosion resistant service. |
Flimsy, light weight, collapsible recycled aluminum square bar and roll tube that will , warp, and/or� permanently bend in windy and salty climates. |
| Arms |
Heavy gauge hard carbon aircraft grade aluminum alloy with a Solarus exclusive flat fabric stainless steel spring tensioning system. Allows for Heavy rain runoff with proper pitch settings. Electrostat ArmorCoat TM, with 5mils super strong, corrosion resistant powder coating, equivalent to 5 to 6 coats of paint. |
Inferior recycled aluminum with 1 mil standard powder coat. Chips, bends and pits easily in the outdoors elements. |
| Cables |
NON STRETCH STAINLESS STEEL CABLES, permanently lubricated, sealed in 20 year PVC casing. Super strong, time tested, never stretches and does not corrode. |
Exposed to the elements. Utilizing a single or double exposed steel cable that will rust in time or a Kevlar band system which stretches with time and will put “sags” in the fabric causing the fabric to collect water and potentially damage the awning.. |
Projections, (how far out) |
Shipped web site projections from 5 feet to 11 feet 6 inches. Local projections from 5 feet to 14 feet 8 inches |
2 Projections: 9 feet and 10 feet only |
| Widths, (Side To Side) |
On Line shipping widths up to 24' wide,(side to side measurement), local custom built widths from 5' to 65' wide. |
Pre-cut for a few sizes between 10 feet and 18 feet only. |
| Fabric Cover |
Sunbrella Premium and High End European 100% Solution-dyed woven acrylic with color lock technology, used throughout each fiber during the weaving process. 100% waterproof, 100% UV heat block and rain block fabric. High quality fabric, longest lasting up to 20 years life expectancy with proper care. |
Imitation Chinese fabric or 14 oz. urethane-coated vinyl over scrim filler. Color applied only to top and bottom layers. Only 40% to 60% UV block. 2-4 year life expectancy. Limited colors, fades and tears eventually.. |
| Fabric Cover
Color Choices |
Exclusive Solarus USA Designer Fabric Collection with 100 choices shown on the web. Locally there are well over 400 color choices in stock. |
Up to 20 standard colors in china imported imitation fabric, and up to 6 choices in laminated urethane coated vinyl. |
| Stitching |
All seams are robotically/ ultrasonically sealed and double lock-stitched, with Gortex /Tenera 20 year clear stitch. |
Single stitched on braids and hemmed by hand, using a weak cotton or polyester thread, easily disintegrates from the sun and weather elements within 2 years. |
| Hood and Protective casing |
Optional, sturdy seamless extruded hard cased aluminum, thick PVC powder coated, year round cover that protects the entire awning whenever it's retracted. Water and dirt-proof flexible seal included with the hood. |
12' vinyl cloth winter cover that must be manually attached to the awning with grommets and cords |
