Care and Operation
PATIO AWNINGS AND EXTERIOR DROP SHADES
Congratulations on your purchase of a retractable patio awning or exterior drop shade from SugarHouse Industries. With occasional cleaning and care you will enjoy your shade product for many years.
The following information pages will help you configure and troubleshoot your motorized retractable patio awning or exterior drop shade.
Operating your Motorized Awning or Drop Shade
Adjusting the Sensitivity of your Somfy Motion Sensor
Setting a Favorite Position (my)
Programming Additional Transmitters
Troubleshooting Motorized Units
Download Retractable Patio Awning Care & Use Instructions
Download Exterior Drop Shade Care & Use Instructions
Important Care and Operation information regarding your Motorized Awning or Drop Shade.
Warranty:
10 years – lifetime limited manufacturer warranty on the frame, depending on model
10 year limited manufacturer warranty on: Solution Dyed Acrylics (Sunbrella, Dickson), and Open-Weave Vinyl Coated Polyester Fiber (Texteline 95)
5 year limited manufacturer warranty on: Open-Weave Vinyl Coated Polyester Fiber (Awntex 160), and Somfy motors
1 year limited warranty against defects in materials after delivery or installation
1 year limited warranty on remote controls and wind sensors
Warranty can be redeemed through SugarHouse Awning directly. Detail information regarding warranty coverage is available on our warranty page.
Warning:
Retractable patio awnings and exterior drop shades are primarily designed to protect you from the damaging and harsh rays of the sun. They are not intended for use at all times and in all weather conditions.
To maximize the longevity of your retractable patio awning or exterior drop shade, always retract your awning and turn off any automatic control systems:
- When you will be away from the home for an extended period
- When winds stronger than 18 MPH are expected to avoid damage to the fabric or retractable arms
- When persistent, heavy, driving or freezing rain is expected. Puddles of water can stretch the fabric, and mildew may form after retracting a wet and dirty awning.
- When frost or snow is expected. Motor damage can occur by retracting a wet awning after the fabric has frozen.
SugarHouse Awning does not cover storm and wind damage in our warranty. Should damage occur, however, we can quickly repair or replace the fabric, hardware or motor.
Operation:
- Gear Driven Retractable Patio Awning or Exterior Drop Shade: Turn the crank counter-clock wise to unwind the awning to its full extended position. To retract the awning turn the crank clockwise so the fabric rolls to the top side of the roller tube. Remove the winding crank from the roller gear when not in use to prevent damage to your home.
- Motorized Retractable Patio Awning or Exterior Drop Shade: Push the switch down to extend the awning. The motor has been preset to stop when the awning reaches its full extension. Push the remote up to retract the awning or drop shade. The motor has been preset to stop when it is fully retracted.
- Rope-Operated Drop Shade: To roll up your shade, pull all the ropes together and wrap the ropes around the cleat to secure them. If two cleats are provided, wrap the extra length of rope between them when the screen is pulled up. Shades which are protected from the weather when rolled up (such under an eve) can be left on your home year-round. We recommend the removal and storage of rope-operated drop shades during the winter months to prevent debris and water from accumulating in the rolls and overexposure to the sun.
Care:
Do’s:
- Retract your awning system when you’re not using the area that your awning shades.
- Keep your retractable awning clean. The fabrics used in the products we sell are mildew resistant, but mildew damage can occur if moisture, dirt or other foreign materials are left to accumulate on the fabric.
- Keep shrubbery and vines away from your shade product. Some plants secrete acids that can damage the fabric and/or hardware.
Don’ts:
- Don’t operate in freezing weather. If frozen, wait until it thaws naturally before retracting.
- Don’t subject your awning to direct flames or hot temperatures. Grease and smoke from barbeques, smokers or fire pits may coat and damage the fabric.
- Don’t use pesticides on the fabric as they can impair the water repellency and cause staining.
Hardware:
- The powder coated metal components and profiles of your shade products should be cleaned twice annually. Wash with mild soapy water and rinse off. Build up of dirt on these surfaces reduces the life of the powder coating.
- Hinges and joints should not require lubrication. However, if lubricants are applied, they should be of the non-staining silicone type.
- Roller gear mechanisms are factory sealed and cannot be lubricated.
Fabric:
Solution-Dyed Acrylics – (Sunbrella, Dickson)
Acrylic fabrics can withstand years of normal exposure to sunlight and rain. They resist mildew, sun-rot, and atmospheric chemicals while retaining their color and strength. They carry a 10-year, limited manufacturer’s warranty and feature a water and stain resistant finish which simplifies cleaning.
To prevent the need for vigorous cleaning and to maximize the life of your awning, the fabric should be rinsed off with a hose each month to remove dirt and other debris. The fabric should have a deep cleaning every 2-3 years. Solution-dyed acrylic fabric does not promote mildew growth. However, mildew may grow on dirt and other foreign substances that are not removed from the fabric.
For simple stains or a light cleaning the fabric may be washed with a solution of mild detergent (i.e. Woolite or Dawn) and lukewarm water. Let the solution soak into the fabric and use a soft-bristle brush to scrub gently. Rinse thoroughly with clean water until all cleaning residue is removed and then air dry.
For a deep cleaning or to remove stubborn stains (i.e. mildew, roof run-off, etc.), prepare a solution of one cup of bleach, 1/4 cup of mild detergent, and one gallon of water. Allow the solution to soak into the fabric for 15 minutes. Use a soft-bristle brush to scrub gently. Rinse thoroughly with clean water until all cleaning residue is removed and then air dry. After a deep cleaning or five years of use, the water repellent finish (i.e. 303 High Tech Fabric Guard) should be reapplied to the fabric.
Smaller fabric pieces that can be removed entirely from their supporting framework can be machine washed in a front-load washer using cold water with a mild detergent and air dried.
Never machine dry acrylic fabrics or apply heat to them – AIR DRY ONLY. Never dry clean.
Open-Weave Vinyl-Coated Polyester Fiber – (Awntex, Phifertex)
Mesh fabrics display many of the same characteristics of solution-dyed acrylics and they carry a 5-10 year, limited manufacturer’s warranty.
They should be rinsed off with a hose each month to remove dirt and other debris. They may also be washed with a solution of mild detergent (i.e. Woolite or Dawn) and lukewarm water. Use a soft bristle brush to scrub gently. Rinse thoroughly with clean water and air dry.
CAUTION: Never steam clean, dry clean, or machine dry these fabrics – AIR DRY ONLY. For storage, place fabric on a shelf or in a breathable container. Do not store fabric on the ground. NEVER POWERWASH FABRICS.
Spring and Fall Services:
We provide a paid service to remove your drop shade, awning, or canopy in the fall and re-install it in the spring. The fabric cover may be stored at your home or at our facility. However, we do not provide storage for the supporting framework for canopies. It would be your responsibility to contact us in the fall and spring to schedule an appointment when you are ready for the work to be done. We are generally working on a 2-3 week schedule for these services, so please plan ahead.
Cleaning Services:
We provide a paid service to clean and protect your awnings on-site. We will remove debris, dirt, and most stains. We also retreat solution-dyed acrylics with a water repellent and UV finish. Call and schedule an appointment to get your awning looking brand new!