Deck Awnings - Looking for input

The #1 community for Gun Owners in Indiana

Member Benefits:

  • Fewer Ads!
  • Discuss all aspects of firearm ownership
  • Discuss anti-gun legislation
  • Buy, sell, and trade in the classified section
  • Chat with Local gun shops, ranges, trainers & other businesses
  • Discover free outdoor shooting areas
  • View up to date on firearm-related events
  • Share photos & video with other members
  • ...and so much more!
  • mmpsteve

    Real CZ's have a long barrel!!
    Site Supporter
    Rating - 100%
    11   0   0
    Nov 14, 2016
    5,869
    113
    ..... formerly near the Wild Turkey
    Deck Awnings. I'm looking at a 10' x 18' roll up awning, probably electric powered one. Anybody have experience with these? Any quality local contractors? I'm in NWI. I have the Sunsetter brand brochure. One thing is, I only have 7' 3" under my soffits to the deck surface, and they recommend 7' 6". I really don't want to mount it on the roof, for fear of future leaks. Thoughts and comments welcome. Thanks.

    .
     

    eldirector

    Grandmaster
    Rating - 100%
    10   0   0
    Apr 29, 2009
    14,677
    113
    Brownsburg, IN
    I'll have to check what brand we have. It is a manual crank, and has served us well for several years. Starting to get pretty worn, and the fabric is getting to the point it can't be cleaned. Our only real issue was the wind. Simply can't use it on a windy day at all.

    We have a deck, so clearance was an issue. For the right height, the directions said to roof-mount. Instead, I built a set of brackets that mounted it to the soffit, but placed the awning at the same height as our gutter, and tilted it back slightly. Essentially moved the awning out and up, with a little tilt so it extends more flat. Fully extended it is still at eye level for me, but it works. Our deck is 16', and the awning goes maybe 12', which is the real issue. On a 12' deck, it would have been perfect.

    We really only roll it out maybe 1/2 to 2/3 most of the time. Just enough to shade 1/2 of the table we have. And I can still walk under it. :-)

    Summer project is to remove the awning, add bracing to the deck, and install gazebo of sorts on the deck. Permanent shade that is more wind and rain resistant.
     

    mmpsteve

    Real CZ's have a long barrel!!
    Site Supporter
    Rating - 100%
    11   0   0
    Nov 14, 2016
    5,869
    113
    ..... formerly near the Wild Turkey
    I'll have to check what brand we have. It is a manual crank, and has served us well for several years. Starting to get pretty worn, and the fabric is getting to the point it can't be cleaned. Our only real issue was the wind. Simply can't use it on a windy day at all.

    We have a deck, so clearance was an issue. For the right height, the directions said to roof-mount. Instead, I built a set of brackets that mounted it to the soffit, but placed the awning at the same height as our gutter, and tilted it back slightly. Essentially moved the awning out and up, with a little tilt so it extends more flat. Fully extended it is still at eye level for me, but it works. Our deck is 16', and the awning goes maybe 12', which is the real issue. On a 12' deck, it would have been perfect.

    We really only roll it out maybe 1/2 to 2/3 most of the time. Just enough to shade 1/2 of the table we have. And I can still walk under it. :-)

    Summer project is to remove the awning, add bracing to the deck, and install gazebo of sorts on the deck. Permanent shade that is more wind and rain resistant.

    Thanks very much. That's real-world experience that helps.

    .
     

    DoggyDaddy

    Grandmaster
    Site Supporter
    Rating - 100%
    73   0   1
    Aug 18, 2011
    102,041
    77
    Southside Indy
    Summer project is to remove the awning, add bracing to the deck, and install gazebo of sorts on the deck. Permanent shade that is more wind and rain resistant.
    Our deck is roofed over with corrugated plastic and it works great. We basically treat our deck like a 3 season room. I have a tv mounted up under the rafters in its own box that keeps it safe from the weather.

    1627063387744.png
     

    04FXSTS

    Master
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Dec 31, 2010
    1,789
    129
    Eugene
    We have a "Sunsetter" and love it. It is the electric model with the wind sensor and we had one on our old house in Illinois and now have one on our new house here in Indiana. The wind sensors bring it in fairly often since the awning is on the west side over our deck. The one on our old house rarely brought it in because it was on the north east side of the house where the did not catch it nearly as much.
    The one in Illinois was done on a insurance deal because the old one was damaged in a storm, no wind sensors on that one. Had that one installed because the deductable was already paid. This one I did myself and you just had to make sure the brackets were in line and level. BIL did come over and help me lift it into place on the brackets. The wind sensors will keep it safe but in one case I thought of they could fail. That is if the awning was unplugged or the power went off before the wind came up. Jim.
     

    Super Bee

    Master
    Site Supporter
    Rating - 100%
    10   0   0
    Nov 2, 2011
    4,798
    149
    Fort Wayne
    I have seen a couple different styles of these and they were actually nothing more than an awning you get on a RV. The power unit and crank out units were the exact same thing.
     
    Rating - 100%
    27   0   0
    Nov 2, 2017
    1,528
    97
    LaPaz Junction
    Installed many Sunsetters on motorhomes. A chalkline or plain string is your friend for both up and down and horizontal. Easy to use shims for the horizontal. You will need to use something to seal next to the eaves or you will have water and ice to deal with. Weatherstripping
     

    DoggyDaddy

    Grandmaster
    Site Supporter
    Rating - 100%
    73   0   1
    Aug 18, 2011
    102,041
    77
    Southside Indy
    View attachment 149694

    Would give it 5 stars, but the TV kinda defeats the whole purpose in my opinion, lol
    Basically from April thru October, this is my home office and living room. Gotta have a tv! I'm out here from the time I get up in the morning until I go to bed at at night. Table top propane heater takes the chill off in the mornings and evenings early and late in the season.

    1627155675121.png
     

    TheGrumpyGuy

    Get off my lawn!
    Site Supporter
    Rating - 100%
    3   0   0
    Apr 12, 2020
    2,023
    113
    SE Indy
    Basically from April thru October, this is my home office and living room. Gotta have a tv! I'm out here from the time I get up in the morning until I go to bed at at night. Table top propane heater takes the chill off in the mornings and evenings early and late in the season.

    View attachment 149696

    I've never been the jealous type, but dang!! Rating corrected!

    5 star 02.png
     

    mmpsteve

    Real CZ's have a long barrel!!
    Site Supporter
    Rating - 100%
    11   0   0
    Nov 14, 2016
    5,869
    113
    ..... formerly near the Wild Turkey
    Basically from April thru October, this is my home office and living room. Gotta have a tv! I'm out here from the time I get up in the morning until I go to bed at at night. Table top propane heater takes the chill off in the mornings and evenings early and late in the season.

    View attachment 149696

    Looks like a fancy bug zapper. Love the limestone.

    .
     

    tmschuller

    Master
    Site Supporter
    Rating - 100%
    41   0   0
    Feb 25, 2013
    2,738
    113
    Grant county
    We expanded our deck last year and it’s our family hang out from early spring to late fall. I was going to do a roll out awning but this seems a more permanent solution
    This is not attached to the house. Stays fairly dry unless it’s really windy. 2x6-24” on center frame for the roof. 26’ long. With 14 folks here at times it fills up. Grandkids love hanging out there to play. Thinking about screening it in but definitely needs a rail. 0F0579F3-553A-4612-8C39-71D89E681217.jpeg
     
    Top Bottom