Looking at one of those Sunsetter type retractable awnings for the patio. Not necessarily that brand. Anyone have one? Good? Avoid?

I installed a Sunsetter three years ago and have been very happy with it. Installation was easy with help lifting it (20'wide). We don't leave it open when we're not using it, wind would probably have it's way with it.

They're on a couple of yachts I manage. They work well, look clean when closed up, as easy as pushing a button.

That being said, if about 25 mph is blowing towards them, it will bend the arms right over. We get around that on yachts by having a 1" S/S pole that connects to each end and connects to the boat. Also the canvas can grow mildew all over it, if it's kept closed to too long.

I've got a round 13' model that unfolds on a center pedestal to cover most of one end of the patio. It's now 10 seasons in regular use save the coldest wettest 4 months.

Just did a minor spray lube on the mechanism last fall, first time; now works like new. Canvas umbrella part hold up very well. Not a Sunset mfg.

We have a Sunsetter we got a deal on through Costco. Love it, back of our house faces west with no trees and sun would just cook it in the afternoons. Awning easily keeps indoor temp down at least 5-10 degrees on those days. It is powered and opens/closes via remote. Has sensor that will automatically close it if wind picks up and starts bouncing it around.

Poly material of some sort doesn’t saturate with water and no worries about mildew like canvas.

Powered model is the way to go, we had a manual one years ago on a previous house and it could be a pain to deal with, especially if unexpected wind came up.

We had one in Colorado Springs. It developed the habit of somehow unrolling itself in windy conditions when nobody was home, and got torn off the house by the wind.

Parents had a Sunsetter 14' I think and it was fine.
Just know the tarps can wear out eventually and need replacing.
It depends on what and how much it is getting hit from above ~ sun, wind, rain, snow etc.
Still a nice product, considering one myself.

They are basically the same thing as the awnings on Recreational Vehicles. Sunsetter has many options to upgrade when purchasing. I would add one to our house if the layout would work.

They hold up well, and can be secured when closed to prevent wind opening them. Most RV folks learn what o bu to do this. Camping World actually sells awning accessories (in store and online). They stuff you didn't know you needed, they have

Haven't looked at the Sunsetter brand, specifically, but we've looked into the idea of installing some retractable awning. Problem is our patio is on the southern exposure. Retractable awnings simply don't roll out far enough to shade even half the patio, much less all of it. So we dropped the idea.

One of our next door neighbors installed one. (Don't know the brand.) I asked him how he liked it. He said he never uses it because it doesn't roll out far enough to do much good.

We're instead going to install a pergola over the entire patio, with manually-operated, collapsible (and removable) awning sections between each cross-rafter.

I'm in the commercial window shade business. Our business concentrates on interior, so this is a little outside my expertise.

However, most exterior motorized shade/awning systems have a wind sensor option; perhaps it'd be a wise upgrade...

Yes, we have two (remote controlled awnings). They were on the house when we bought it, but last year, we had them reworked with new material and wind sensors, etc.

Contact me directly and I can try to share pricing, video of operation, etc. if you'd like.

What do we think? Really like them.