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General questions | |
| 1. |
Q: What is the difference between your Model 900XT, Model 1000XT, the Motorized, the VISTA, and the SunSetter Oasis Awning? Answer: The SunSetter Motorized awning and the VISTA awning are both Lateral-Arm awnings. They do not have vertical support arms. The SunSetter Motorized Awning is an electric-powered awning that opens and closes with the touch of a Remote Control (included). You just plug it into a grounded electrical outlet. The motor is hidden in the roller bar itself. The VISTA awning is manually - operated using a hand-cranked gear mechanism. The Motorized awnings come in widths from 10 ft. to 20 ft. and the VISTA awnings come in widths from 10 ft. to 18 ft. If your Awning is 10 ft. or 11 ft. wide it will project out 9 ft. from your house when fully extended. If your Awning is 12 ft. to 18 ft. wide it will project out 10 ft. 2in. from your house when fully extended. The Motorized and VISTA models are available in both our Traditional Laminated Fabric (12 color choices) and our decorator Woven Acrylic Fabric (16 color choices.) The Model 900XT and Model 1000XT are both manually-operated. They open easily in less than a minute using a hand-cranked gear mechanism — no electricity needed. One person can operate them with ease. They also both have vertical support arms, which gives them added strength and rigidity, especially in breezy locations. The only difference between the Model 900XT and the Model 1000XT is how far out they extend from your house. Of the two, most of our owners prefer the Model 1000XT, our larger awning, that extends out from your house a maximum of 10 ft. 2 in. This model gives you the most coverage and the most shade — at very little extra cost. It’s a SunSetter "Best Buy". If your deck is small, or if you’re on a budget, you may choose the smaller Model 900XT that extends out a maximum of 9 feet from your house. This is more than enough to protect a large table and chairs, several chaise lounges, a deck full of guests, or just about anything you want to cover. (Remember, a 9 x 12 foot wide awning is 108 square feet — the size of a small room in a house!) Both the Model 900XT and Model 1000XT come in widths from 7 to 20 ft. These XT models are available in our Traditional Laminated Fabric, in 12 color choices. The SunSetter Oasis model is a 10 ft. x 16 ft. freestanding awning that can be placed on any stable, level surface, such as on your lawn or poolside, as well as on a deck or patio. The Oasis operates manually, like our XT and Vista models, using a hand crank (included.) It requires no electricity. It features our Woven Acrylic Fabric in 16 color choices. For model comparison Click Here |
| 2. |
Q: Which SunSetter model is right for me?
Answer: That depends on your needs, where you live, where you want to install the awning, how you plan to use it, and your budget. Each Model offers distinct advantages. If you live where wind is a factor; if you plan to leave your awning open much of the time; if you want to take advantage of accessories such as our Screen Room or Rainaway arches; if you have low eaves; or if you want the most awning for the least cost, either the Model 900XT or Model 1000XT is your best choice. (The Model 1000XT is our most popular manual awning.) You can also adjust the pitch of the 900XT and 1000XT simply by raising or lowering the support arms. If you want the absolute ease, elegance, and simplicity of one-touch operation and an awning that has no vertical supports, the Motorized SunSetter is the obvious choice. (The Motorized Awning is designed to be retracted when not in use.) It is not designed to be used with a Screen Room or Rainaway Arches. Our Motorized Awning costs more than the manual models — because of its superb quality SOMFY® motor and "lateral arm" system. But it’s still hundreds of dollars less than the competition — without sacrificing any features or quality. If you prefer the Lateral-Arm design over the XT models, but do not need motorization. The manually-operated VISTA should be your choice. And if you want to put shade and protection anywhere, near your pool or just further away from your house, our freestanding SunSetter Oasis is the model you want. We want to emphasize that no matter which model you select, you can’t make a bad choice when it comes to a SunSetter. You'll always be getting a superbly built, easy-to-operate, beautiful awning at an exceptional price. We guarantee your satisfaction or we'll give you your money back. For model comparison Click Here |
| 3. |
Q: Why do SunSetters cost so much less than a custom awning? Will it stand up to years of service? Will it last?
Answer: SunSetters are such good values because as the largest American manufacturer of home Awnings, we buy raw materials at the best prices possible, we assemble our awnings at the most efficient way, using electricity generated by the sun, and we pass the savings along to you. Yet when it comes to quality you’ll find you're not giving up anything. Your SunSetter Awning is assembled with care in America in 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. The Somfy® Motor we use for our motorized model is the absolute best in the industry. The SunSetter Motorized Awning, the VISTA awning and the freestanding SunSetter Oasis use a sophisticated "dual cable" mechanism found only in the best "lateral arm" awnings. Our 14-oz. Traditional Laminated 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 or crack for 5 years, it's mildew resistant and gives you up to 99% protection against harmful UV rays. Our water-repellant Woven Acrylic Fabric also gives you up to 99% UV protection. It is solution-dyed, which means the color goes all the way through the fabric, so its rich color stays beautiful for years. 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. |
| 4. |
Q: How are SunSetters 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 Motorized, SunSetter Oasis, and VISTA Awnings are intended to be retracted when not in use anyway.) In fact, that's an advantage of SunSetters. Because they retract, they're great for breezy locales where a permanent awning would be somewhat impractical and prone to damage. Our optional Wireless Wind Sensor for the Motorized awning gives you additional peace of mind by closing your awning automatically on very windy days. If you'd like to keep your Model 900XT or Model 1000XT open most of the time, even in breezy locales, we recommend that you order our optional Center Brace or Rainaway Arches, or our Add-a-Room Accessories Package. These accessories make the awning more rigid and keep the awning fabric at maximum tautness, preventing the fabric from "flapping" in the wind. With these accessories in place, you can make your XT awning like a semi-permanent structure on your home, leaving it open most of the time, (except during severe storms or in winter, when we recommend you roll up the awning when snow might collect on the fabric.) |
| 5. |
Q: What accessories do you offer for the SunSetter?
Answer: Answer: Optional accessories for our Model 900XT and Model 1000XT include our Screen Room attachment that sets up or breaks down in minutes. We have Rainaway Arches that add rigidity to the awning frame (for breezy locals) and headroom, while helping rain run off your awning fabric easily; DeFlappers that keep your awning fabric from flapping in the wind; and our Center Brace for breezy locales. Accessories that work for all model awnings (including the Motorized and VISTA) are: Front and side SunSetter Weatherbreaker Panels 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 Awning Cleaning Kit. We also offer a Wireless Wind Sensor for the Motorized Awning that closes your awning automatically on very windy days. And for the freestanding SunSetter Oasis we offer the Patio Lights for a great evening ambiance and the Oasis Awning Cover for extra protection during off season. Best of all, we now offer accessories in different money-saving packages that let you purchase our most popular accessory combinations for far less than what you would have to pay for them individually. All SunSetter accessories are warranted for 5 years. |
| 6. |
Q: 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! A SunSetter helps cut energy use, and lowers your carbon footprint. |
| 7. |
Q: Is the motor included or do I have to purchase it
separately ?
Answer: All SunSetter Motorized Awnings come with a quiet, rugged, Somfy electric motor (the world’s best awning motor) with remote control and a manual override (in case of power outage), included. |
| 8. |
Q: Can I pay for my awning over time, in installments?
Answer: Yes. We offer two different payment plans. The Easy Payment Plan, which lets you get your awning immediately, with no money down and no payments or interest for 180 days! You can apply online or by phone and get this great plan in just two minutes (available for orders from $300 or above). We also offer our popular Deferred 5-Payment Plan for credit card users. For more details on these plans, Click Here. |
| 9. |
Q: How long have you been in business?
Answer: We've been in the awning business for over 30 years, and we've sold more patio and deck awnings than anyone else in America. |
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Measurements and Installation
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| 10. |
Q: 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 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 our Toll Free Installation Hotline: 1-800-876-2340. We have experts on hand who have helped 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, tell us when ordering.) The SunSetter Oasis freestanding model doesn’t require installation -- just some simple assembly. |
| 11. |
Q: I have a Ranch house with low eaves. Will the SunSetter fit on my home?
Answer: You can install the Model 1000XT on houses with mounting heights as low as 7 ft. under overhangs and gutters. The Model 900XT can be installed under overhangs as low as 6 ft. 8 inches. 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. For ideas on how to install your awning directly on your eaves, or if you do not have enough vertical clearance under your eaves to install an awning, click here. |
| 12. |
Q: 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. |
| 13. |
Q: My deck only comes out 8ft from my house. Can I
still use the SunSetter Motorized Awning ?
Answer: Yes. You can roll the awning out completely past your deck edge or railing, or you can adjust the pre-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 using the remote control. |
| 14. |
Q: Can I install the awning on vinyl or aluminum siding, stucco, or on masonry?
Answer: Yes. It's easy. For the Model 900XT and Model 1000XT, you just mount a 1" x 4" board (the same length as your awning width) on the siding first, then mount the awning to the board. You can paint the board the same color as your house or trim if you want so it will blend in nicely with your siding or trim. Our Lateral-Arm models (Motorized or VISTA) can be installed directly onto any siding without a board. |
| 15. |
Q: Can I mount the SunSetter Lateral-Arm awnings
(Motorized or VISTA) directly to a soffit
or overhang ?
Answer: Yes. We have special brackets for mounting the Lateral-Arm awnings to a soffit or overhang. When ordering be sure to tell us you need the soffit mount brackets instead of the standard wall mount brackets. |
| 16. |
Q: Will I need to hire an electrician to wire the Motorized SunSetter?
Answer: No. Your SunSetter Motorized Awning comes with a 12 foot cord with 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.) And, depending on where your outlet is located, you can order your awning with the motor on the right or on the left as you face the house. 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.) |
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Independent Dealers
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| 17. |
Q: Can I purchase a SunSetter awning from a local dealer?
Answer: Yes you can. Many local dealers around the country are selling our "Lateral Arm" style awnings – The SunSetter Motorized and the SunSetter VISTA models. Some also sell the SunSetter Oasis. They are independent businesses who buy the awnings from SunSetter for resale to the consumers. These dealers are not affiliated with SunSetter Products but have a SunSetter awning on display and can answer any question you might have. Our independent dealers will show you the benefits of our awnings and how they operate. They will also let you touch and feel the construction of our fabrics, including our traditional laminated line and our woven acrylic line. All SunSetter dealers set their own pricing and might not match SunSetter Factory Direct prices. To find a SunSetter independent dealer near you, click here. |
| 18. |
Q: What awning models can I purchase from an independent dealer?
Answer: All the independent dealers sell our "Lateral Arm" style awnings – The SunSetter Motorized and the SunSetter VISTA models. Some carry the freestanding SunSetter Oasis, too. If you wish to purchase a Model 900XT or 1000XT, which are the models that can also be used with our optional Screen Room, you must purchase them directly from SunSetter online, or by calling Toll Free: 1-800-876-2340. |
| 19. |
Q: Will the dealer install my awning?
Answer: Most dealers will install the awnings they sell for an additional charge. To find a SunSetter independent dealer near you, click here. |
| 20. |
Q: If I purchase my SunSetter awning from a local dealer, will SunSetter warranty the product?
Answer: Yes. No matter where you purchase your SunSetter, our 5-Year Limited Manufacturer Warranty will cover your awning against any manufacturing defects according to the Terms and Conditions set forth in our warranty. SunSetter Products is not responsible and does not provide a warranty for installation services provided by the dealer. |
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Fabrics
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| 21. |
Q: What type of fabric do you use and how long does it
last?
Answer: Our decorator Woven Acrylic Fabric is the same superb quality woven fabric found on custom-made awnings across the country, but we offer exclusive stripe combinations available only from SunSetter. This woven fabric is water repellant, and 100% solution-dyed. The color goes all the way through, so it resists fading and will hold its beautiful colors for years. Our Traditional Laminated Fabric is a strong, flame-resistant, commercial grade, 100% waterproof re-enforced vinyl. The fabric is 5 layers, mildew and fade resistant with a clear protective coating on each side, and 1000 denier scrim. Easy to clean so your awning fabric will look beautiful for years to come. Both fabrics give you up to 99% protection against UVA and UVB rays, with an equivalent SPF of over 50! The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends this product as an effective UV protectant. With proper maintenance and care, and basic common sense, both fabrics will provide you 8 to 10 years of trouble free, dependable service. |
| 22. |
Q: What about rain? Will I have problems with leaks?
Answer: Our Traditional Laminated Fabric is 100% waterproof, and will protect you from rain and passing showers, as long as the water does not pool on the fabric. To let rain water run right off your Model 900XT or Model 1000XT, just lower one side of the awning slightly. You can also purchase our optional Rainaway Arches which create a gentle “arch” in the fabric so that light rain rolls off the awning and doesn’t “pool”, even if you leave the awning open most of the time. You still need to lower one support arm, however, to create enough pitch for the water to run off. (If a really heavy storm is expected, we suggest you retract your awning fully.) While our Motorized, VISTA, and SunSetter Oasis awnings will protect you from light rain and drizzle, you must retract them when the water starts to pool. Our Woven Acrylic Fabric for the Motorized, VISTA and SunSetter Oasis models is water repellent and will protect you from light rain and passing showers, as long as the water does not pool on the fabric. |
| 23. |
Q: Why is Woven Acrylic Fabric more expensive than Laminated Fabric?
Answer: The Woven Acrylic Fabric is made of 100% solution dyed fibers which are then twisted into threads and then weaved into our luxurious and rich color patterns. This fabric is then treated for water repellency. This process is more extensive and expensive – thus the reason for the higher cost. |
| 24. |
Q: Why are the acrylic patterns not available in the laminated fabric?
Answer:The process of weaving the acrylic fabric from 100% solution dyed fibers allows for more rich and bright color combinations compared to a laminated process which is based on printing technology. Our acrylic vertical stripe patterns are made exclusively for SunSetter and can not be found anywhere else. |
| 25. |
Q: Why is the Woven Acrylic Fabric not available on SunSetter’s XT models?
Answer: Due to their extra supports and the ability to tilt the XT awning toward one side to let rain water run off, these awnings are used by our customers as a semi-permanent protective structure both from sun and rain. By providing these model awnings with our 100% waterproof laminated fabric, we give our customers the best rain protection available. Our Lateral arm models are used mainly for sun and light rain protection, which fit the features of our acrylic water repellent fabric. |
| 26. |
Q: What is the difference between waterproof and water resistant?
Answer: Waterproof fabrics like our laminated fabrics are constructed in such way that water can not penetrate through the fabric. In the case of woven fabrics like our acrylic fabrics, we treat the fabric to seal between the weaves. Since over time this treatment could reduce its ability to shield water, it is not considered as a waterproof fabric, only as a water repellent. |
| 27. |
Q: Is the awning fabric easy to clean?
Answer: Yes. Most dirt will come off just by brushing the fabric while dry and then further washing it with lukewarm water and mild soap. For stubborn dirt, follow our care and maintenance instructions included with your awning. |
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Operation
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| 28. |
Q: Can I adjust the front height of the awning?
Answer: Yes, the Model 900XT and Model 1000XT have adjustable arms which allow you to adjust the front height easily to suit your preferences or the weather. You can move it up or down to block the sun, wind, or rain as you wish. You can even adjust the two arms independently, so that one side is higher than the other for better rain runoff. The front height on the SunSetter Motorized Awning and the VISTA awning can also be adjusted, but it requires a few mechanical steps. |
| 29. |
Q: 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. The SunSetter Oasis freestanding model can also be left retracted outside -- no need to store it. Our fabrics have been designed to withstand the elements year round. But if you're looking for the ultimate protection, our optional matching awning cover will do the job! |
| 30. |
Q: It looks as though the support arm of the Model 900XT or 1000XT awning might block the stairs to my deck when the arm is angled back against the house. Can this be solved?
Answer: Place either or both awning support arms in the vertical position, so the bottom of the support arm is secured to the deck or patio floor with the deck plate included with your awning, rather than angled back. Or purchase our Lateral-Arm Awnings (Motorized or VISTA models), which do not have any vertical support arms. |
| 31. |
Q: What do I do if I lose my electricity? How can I close the Motorized awning?
Answer: No problem. Since your safety is very important to us, all our SOMFY™ motors come with a manual override as standard. To retract your awning, just turn the manual gear using the wand that comes with your awning. |
| 32. |
Q: How do your manually operated models open and close?
Answer: The Model 900XT, Model 1000XT, VISTA, and SunSetter Oasis Freestanding Awning all operate with a hand crank (included). To open, you simply unroll the fabric using the hand crank wand we provide. On the XT models, you then set the support arms at the desired height. To close, just roll the fabric back toward the house (on the XT models, you need to lower the arms before rolling the fabric back toward the house). |
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