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Eautoe awning reviews
lateral arm patio deck motorized awning
Items in red are areas of concern and should be taken into consideration when making your purchase.
| NuImage 6000 | BST Awnings Elite | SunSetter PRO Awning | |
| Frame | Pro Quality | Pro Quality | Residential |
| Fabric | Acrylic | Acrylic | Acrylic Additional Cost |
| Motor | Heavy Duty | Heavy Duty | Standard |
| Hood | 478.00 | Included | Only a cover is available |
| Manual Override | Included | Included | Over-ride not available |
| Remotes | 1 included | 2 Included | 1 Included |
| Wall Switch | N/A | Included | None Available |
| Warranty | 5 Year | 10 Year | 5 Year Limited |
| Wind Sensor | $289.00 | Included | Add-On $169.00 |
| Base Price | $2,420.00 | $1,899.00 | $2,249.00 |
| Shipping | $ 189.00 | Included | $ 128.00 |
| Options | $ 478.00 | additional costs may be added | |
| Total | $3087.00 | $1899.00 | $2377.00 |
| Not Online | More Info | More Info |
We put all three retractable motorized awnings through testing and evaluated the included features and options. Sunsetter was found to be a light duty awning and lacks many of the features found on most other professional quality awnings.
Both the NuImage 6000 and the BST Awnings Elite series include the following features which we found lacking with sunsetter.
We selected BST Awnings as the best deal based on the overall quality of the frame and motor along with pricing and the manual over-ride. We also feel that the manual over-ride is essential. If there is a storm and the power is interrupted you will be able to retract (close) the awning safeguarding both your home and your awning from damage.
Good Deal High Quality NuImage Not available online
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Frame: The importance of a solid and durable frame can not be over emphasized. We reviewed several awnings and found the SunSetter awning to be the least adequate of all manufactures reviewed. The SunSetter awning has the smallest main bar and thinnest arms. Both the BST Awnings and NuImage Awnings seem to be made for the long haul. The lateral arms on both manufacturers awnings are a robust full 2" x 1" with heavy-duty knuckle and attachment points. The main bar on both awnings measures a fill 1.5" square.
Fabric: Look for a quality fabric. In our opinion, Acrylic fabric should be the only choice for a lateral arm patio deck motorized awning. SunSetter uses a Vinyl multilayer material which we found looks good when new but deteriorates overtime and becomes completely unusable after 3-5 years. The SunSetter Pro awning is available in Acrylic fabric and should be the only choice if you purchase a SunSetter awning. Both the BST Awnings and NuImage Awnings use Acrylic fabric. There are four choices of fabric types found in the majority of awnings, Polyester, Polyester Acrylic Blend and Acrylic.
Motor: Look for the heavy duty use motor in any lateral arm patio deck motorized awning. All manufacturers seem to be using a motor that will last throughout the warranty period with a very small failure rate. Manual over-ride is a beneficial option which allows the owner to retract the awning manually in case of a combination storm and power failure. There are countless stories of lateral arm patio deck motorized awning owners, watching their awning be destroyed due to a wind and rain storm when the power has been knocked out in the initial faze of a storm.
Hood: A Hood is mainly for esthetics but does keep small branches and leaves from accumulating on the awning. Bst Awnings includes a hood with their Elite Awning and NuImage also includes the hood as an add-on option. Sunseter does not include a hood but offers a fabric cover which can be placed on the awning and removed when you extend the awning.
Wall Switch: We feel is an essential part for a lateral arm patio deck motorized awning it is handy when the remote is not available or misplaced.
Warranty: It seems obvious but we will say it anyway, Look for the longest warranty available/ In our opinion these days all products are manufactured and designed to last only as long as the warranty period and something to think about when you make the final purchase.
Updated May 2010