FAQ's For Markilux Commercial Awnings
Markilux Awnings Glossary Of Terms (90 KB)
General Questions About Commercial Awnings & Exterior Solar Screens
| Can You Mail Me Brochures? |
We normally don’t mail out brochures, as we have full information and many pictures of all of our products on-line. If you like, you can download the full catalogues for Markilux’s Balcony & Patio Awnings, Window Awnings, and Conservatory Awnings on-line in PDF format. Our website is continually updated as our product lines expand and improve.
If you have questions, talk to us directly by calling 650/685-6888, or email us at info@markiluxawnings.com
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| What Are Side-Arm (Drop-Arm) Retractable Awnings? |
A side-arm or drop-arm awning has arms on each side which can be set to extend horizontally or straight down for optimal privacy and coverage. The design also allows the awning to be retracted fully. This type of awning is very commonly used as window awnings but is also appropriate for doors.
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Commercial Awning Installation & Maintenance Questions
| Can Retractable Awnings, Exterior Window Shades Or A Retractable Canopy Be Fitted To My House Or Commercial Building? |
Markilux retractable awnings can be fitted to almost any style of residential or commercial 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 continuous coverage of up to 100 feet.
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| Who Installs Your Awnings? |
| 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.
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| Can I Install Your Retractable Awnings? |
| Generally speaking, no. We strongly suggest that you utilize one of our authorized, trained installers for Markilux retractable awnings, exterior window shades, solar screens or retractable canopies. 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. 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.
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| How Do I Decide How Large The Retractable Awning Should Be? |
This all depends upon the space you are trying to cover. Generally speaking, it is better to order a larger size for the space rather than risk having one too small for gatherings.
We often recommend to our clients to add an extra 6 to 12" to both sides of the awning and an extra 12 to 18" to the projection (length). The extra area allows for more shade throughout the day as the sun moves, as well as better protection from light rains.
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| Do I Need A Full Cassette Or Semi-Cassette 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.
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| Can I Add A Motor To My Retractable Awning Later? |
| Not without incurring significant cost. It costs much more to add a motor after the fact than to because of the extra labor to retrofit the awning. We highly recommend purchasing the motor and control options with the original purchase of the product.
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| Where Will The Front Bar Of The Awning Be In Relation To The Wall 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.
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| What Maintenance Do Markilux Awnings & Exterior Solar Screens Require? |
| Markilux retractable awnings, exterior window shades, solar screens and retractable canopies are essentially maintenance-free. Markilux recommends washing the fabric and exterior of the awning with a hose once a year in inland areas, and once a month if you live very near the ocean.
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Commercial Awning Usage Questions
| How Much Wind Can Retractable Awnings Withstand? |
| Markilux retractable awnings are designed primarily for sun protection, not wind protection; they are certified in Germany and engineered for sustained winds up to 23 mph. Conservatory awnings such as the Markilux 8000 can remain extended in sustained winds of up to 30 mph. A reasonable rule of thumb is that if it is too windy for you to comfortably sit outside under your Markilux retractable awnings because of the wind, then the awning should be retracted.
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| Can Markilux Retractable Awnings Be Used In The Rain? |
Yes, but generally only in light rain. Most retractable awnings are designed for sun protection; they cannot handle the weight from rain or from other precipitation, like snow. Large amounts of rain can pool on the fabric and damage the fabric or the frame. However, if you anticipate using your awning in rain, if you make sure you have at least a 15 degree pitch, and if we have grommetted rain drain holes placed near the ends of the fabric cover, you can use the awning in a slightly heavier rain.
If you wish to use the awning in heavy rains, then the Markilux 1600 Skylife is your choice, as it can be converted into a gabled front quickly so rain will run off each side. Conservatory awnings mounted on a structure with sufficient pitch and appropriate grommetted drain holes can be used in heavier rains.
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| Do I Have To Have A Motor For My Markilux Retractable Awning Or Exterior Solar Screen? |
| You don’t have to have a motor unless the awnings are large – coupled awnings for example are only sold motorized. If it is a small awning, you can easily extend or retract it in and out with a manual winder made of stainless steel. However, a motor makes it much more convenient, and increases the likelihood that you will actually use your awning or exterior window shades. And if you are trying to save energy, that’s an important consideration. Motorization also allows complete sensor-controlled automatic operation of the awnings or shades.
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Commercial Awning Fabric & Frame Questions
| Why Don't You Offer Fabrics From Sunbrella, Dickson, Para Or Other Manufacturers? |
| Markilux is the only awning manufacturer in the world to make their own fabrics. Markilux has been in the fabric business since 1927, and created the worldwide standard for solution-dyed acrylic fabrics. Our fabrics are unique in style and quality, and we’d be happy to provide a side-by-side comparison of Markilux fabrics to any other awning fabric available. The difference in quality is obvious to the eye. Markilux also has their exclusive Sunsilk fabrics, which are lighter and more silky-looking, have more vibrant colors and even have a nanotechnology finish to repel dirt – far superior to any solution-dyed acrylic fabric available.
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| How Long Will The Fabrics Last, And Can I Replace Them? |
| Markilux fabrics are tested to show less than 1% fade per year. That means that after 10 years, your fabric will still have 90% of it’s original vibrancy. Typically Markilux fabrics last at least 10 years without fading, rotting, or wearing. If your awning cover wears to the point you would like to replace it, or if you change your home color scheme and you’d like to update the awning cover, we can provide replacement covers from Markilux.
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| What Options Do I Have For Awning Frame Colors? |
| Markilux is unique in that we have over 200 DuPont RAL colors available to choose from – most awning manufacturers have only 2 or 3. You can choose a frame color to exactly match the paint of your building, a color that will match your trim, or a color that will provide a complimenting contrast. Certain colors on each Markilux model are standard, and all others are available at a nominal extra charge.
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Commercial Awning Purchasing Questions
| Do You Have A Showroom? What Areas Do You Cover? |
| No. There is such a wide range of Markilux products (over 30 frame styles, 200 colors, 200+ fabrics), and since each product is custom-made to measure for you in Germany, and since we cover such a wide area (all over Northern California, plus special situations across the country) we feel it doesn’t make sense to have a showroom.
If you are in Northern California, our consultants can come to your house or commercial site, evaluate your specific situation, and make recommendations as to the right products and the right sizes and colors. If you are outside Northern California, we can still work with you - give us a call!
We do have many pictures of installations here in Northern California and around the world. In addition, our customers love their Markilux products and many love to show them off - it’s usually easy to find an installation we’ve done close to you that we can show you if you’d like.
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| How Much Do Markilux Retractable Awnings and Solar Shades Cost? |
| The prices vary depending on the size, style, and accessories, but range from under $2,000 to around $9,000 for our top-of-the line, largest single lateral arm retractable awning. Retractable Exterior Solar Shades and Side-Arm Window Awnings start below $1000.
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| Why Are Markilux Awnings More Expensive Than Awnings I See Advertised On TV Or The Internet, Or Sold At Warehouse Stores? |
That’s a bit like asking why a Mercedes Benz is more expensive than a Kia. Both are cars, and both might get you where you need to go, but there is a vast difference in quality – of materials used, of workmanship, and of design.
Markilux products are custom-made to measure – they are not made in advance in a few standard sizes. There are also almost no other full-cassette or semi-cassette awnings sold in the United States – Markilux has a complete line of highly engineered full and semi-cassette awnings. That difference alone creates quite a bit of the cost differential. No other awnings sold in the U.S. can come close to matching their quality and design.
We always tell our customers that if you are just looking for a basic shade solution and aren’t planning on staying in your house for more than a few years, then cheaper awnings might do the job for you. But if you’re looking to make an investment in your house that will match the quality and style of your home, and last for years, you should only consider the best – which is Markilux.
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| Will I Stay Cooler Inside, And Save Money On Air Conditioning? |
| Yes, you should definitely save money on your air conditioning bills. According to a study by the American Society of Heating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), awnings and exterior window shades reduce interior heat gain by up to 77% during the day. That means your house will stay 15 to 25 degrees cooler - which will significantly decreases your energy costs. Other university studies have shown that awnings will reduce air conditioning usage by 27% to 33%.
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