HOW TO MAINTAIN A RETRACTABLE AWNING

KEEP AWNINGS CLEAR OF PLANT MATTER

One key to keeping your awnings looking like new is to keep them free of leaves and plants. Surprisingly, leaves contain an acid that can damage and stain fabric. Try to have your awning installed away from trees that may drop leaves onto it. Short of this, it is advisable to remove adjacent tree branches. Likewise, do not allow vines or other plant life to extend up to your awnings; always keep these trimmed back.

WHEN TO RETRACT YOUR AWNINGS

While awnings can protect you and even some of your indoor furnishings from the effects of the sun, this is not so for other weather conditions. Keep your awning retracted during periods of hail, heavy rain, and winds above 20 mph, which may damage the arm and even the fabric. Remember that an awning does not double as an umbrella; it should be retracted during periods of rain. Rainwater that is allowed to pool on the fabric can stretch and damage the fibers, even leaving them permanently damaged. 

Keep in mind that an awning’s warranty is unlikely to cover damage from exposure to wind, rain, hail, and other weather events. In order to stay in compliance with your warranty, it is wise to retract the awning when it’s not in use and especially when there is a threat of a storm or other inclement weather. Retracting your awning at the end of a day of use is a good habit to get into–if a storm hits while no one is at home, the awning will be protected.

Ensure that the surface of the awning is free from dirt and debris before retracting it. This will avoid damage from objects that could get lodged in the cassette. NEVER retract an awning that is not completely dry. This could cause mold growth or even damage to a motorized unit if it is opened when the fabric has hardened from frozen water.