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Installation Of Your Elegant Commercial Shade Solution - FAQs

Who Installs Your Commercial Awnings & Exterior Solar Screens?
SensorShade Solutions is a product company – we are not general contractors. However, we have trained, authorized installers who are general contractors who are our partners that we have worked with on numerous installations on all building types. We'll be happy to coordinate installation of your commercial awning with the contractor of your choice.

Can I Install My Commercial Awnings Myself?
If you are a licensed contractor, or working with an architect and builder to build or remodel a building, we can work with you or them to provide the technical information that will be required to install the products. Markilux products are extremely well made, and because of the quality of materials, they are heavier than most awnings sold in the United States. They are precision engineered, and require substantial knowledge of construction to be successfully and safely installed.

Can I Install My Commercial Awnings Myself?

If you are a licensed contractor, or working with an architect and builder to build or remodel a building, we can work with you or them to provide the technical information that will be required to install the products. Markilux products are extremely well made, and because of the quality of materials, they are heavier than most awnings sold in the United States. They are precision engineered, and require substantial knowledge of construction to be successfully and safely installed.

Can Commercial Awnings, Exterior Window Shades Or A Retractable Canopy Be Fitted To My Commercial Building?

Markilux retractable awnings can be fitted to almost any style of building, regardless of building materials or construction. Markilux awnings and exterior window shades are easily fitted to wood frame buildings covered with stucco or siding; to brick or masonry buildings; or even to metal building structures. So, no matter how your building is made, we can probably find a great solution.

In terms of the actual attachment of the retractable awning or exterior window shade to your building, most awnings can be installed four different ways depending on the construction of the site: against a flat wall, under an eave, against a flat vertical fascia board, or on the roof.

If you have an existing trellis, arbor, or pergola structure, one of our retractable conservatory awnings can be mounted on top of it. These systems can cover a much larger area than a retractable lateral-arm awning, as the weight of the fabric is supported by the structure. If you want to cover an area with a projection more than 13 feet away from the building, then your only choice is a conservatory-type retractable. If you don’t have an existing trellis or arbor structure, Markilux has a wonderful frame system that is designed for the 8000 conservatory awning.

A new alternative to large areas is the free-standing Markilux Syncra. This is two awnings back-to-back attached to a u-shaped, free-standing steel frame. A Syncra can cover up to 13 feet in each direction when opened, for a total of 26 feet wide.

Length is generally not a problem – we can couple awnings and provide coverage of up to 65 feet or more, and can also couple retractable conservatory-style awnings and exterior window shades and solar screens.

I Don't Have An Electrical Outlet Near Where I Want To Install My Commercial Awning or Solar Shade - Can I Still Use A Motorized Unit?
In almost all cases, the answer is yes. First of all even the largest awning only uses less than 270 watts for less than one minute to open or close the awning. The maximum amperage needed for the motors is 15 amps. That means that electricity can be pulled through a wall from an interior wall outlet or an exterior wall outlet or hard-wired lighting fixture. This can typically be done such that the electric power cables are nearly invisible and protected inside conduit. Any competent electrician can do this job.

I Don't Have An Electrical Outlet Near Where I Want To Install My Commercial Awning or Solar Shade - Can I Still Use A Motorized Unit?

In almost all cases, the answer is yes. First of all even the largest awning only uses less than 270 watts for less than one minute to open or close the awning. The maximum amperage needed for the motors is 15 amps. That means that electricity can be pulled through a wall from an interior wall outlet or an exterior wall outlet or hard-wired lighting fixture. This can typically be done such that the electric power cables are nearly invisible and protected inside conduit. Any competent electrician can do this job.

Do I Need A Full Cassette Or Semi-Cassette Commercial Awning, Or Can I Use An Open Awning?
If the awning is in well-protected area, such as under a deep eave, then a cassette isn’t required to protect the awning and fabric, but you may choose to have a cassette awning for the style and look. If an awning is exposed, such as mounted on the wall or roof, a semi-cassette or full-cassette awning is very strongly recommended, as the cassette will protect the awning from sun damage or precipitation, which will increase the wear on the fabric.

Do I Need A Full Cassette Or Semi-Cassette Commercial Awning, Or Can I Use An Open Awning?

If the awning is in well-protected area, such as under a deep eave, then a cassette isn’t required to protect the awning and fabric, but you may choose to have a cassette awning for the style and look. If an awning is exposed, such as mounted on the wall or roof, a semi-cassette or full-cassette awning is very strongly recommended, as the cassette will protect the awning from sun damage or precipitation, which will increase the wear on the fabric.

How HIgh Will The Front Bar Of The Commercial Awning Be In Relation To The Ground When The Retractable Awning Is Fully Extended?
The angle the awning stands out from the wall is its pitch. Markilux awnings can be extended with almost 0 degree pitch – just like a flat roof on a house. However, if you want a light rain to be able to run off effectively, a general rule is that you need a pitch of at least 14 degrees below horizontal. That works out to about 2" of pitch for every foot of projection. So, an awning that extends 10 feet needs 20" of pitch. Therefore, if you want the front bar of the awning to be at least 7 feet high, in this case the awning would need to be mounted at just over 8 1/2 feet high.

How HIgh Will The Front Bar Of The Commercial Awning Be In Relation To The Ground When The Retractable Awning Is Fully Extended?

The angle the awning stands out from the wall is its pitch. Markilux awnings can be extended with almost 0 degree pitch – just like a flat roof on a house. However, if you want a light rain to be able to run off effectively, a general rule is that you need a pitch of at least 14 degrees below horizontal. That works out to about 2" of pitch for every foot of projection. So, an awning that extends 10 feet needs 20" of pitch. Therefore, if you want the front bar of the awning to be at least 7 feet high, in this case the awning would need to be mounted at just over 8 1/2 feet high.