Betterliving™ Retractable Patio Awning FAQ

What Are The Available Widths for Betterliving™ Retractable Patio Awnings?

Choose your awning in 1″ increments. This is the total width from endcap to endcap, the fabric will be 6 to 7½ inches less. Fabric awning widths are priced in one foot increments. For example if you purchase an awning 13’6″ wide, it is the same price as an awning that is 14′ wide.

What Are The Available Projections for Betterliving™ Retractable Patio Awnings?

The folding arms are made in standard sizes. Projection selection varies, refer to the store page for the model that you are interested in.

What Fabric Colours Are Available?

The standard fabric for our Betterliving™ retractable awnings is Northport heavy duty acrylic fabric. See our 12 year warranty or fabric page for more information. Actual fabric may not be exactly as shown in the thumbnail due to the low quality of the image, your monitor or other issues. You can not return an awning because you do not like the colour. Samples can be mailed upon request.

We also offer fabrics from Sunbrella and other fabric mills, as well as fire resistant fabrics. If you need to match another mill, just tick the check box for Optional Fabric on our web store page, select the fabric manufacturer, and enter their fabric part number.

Does My Awning Include a Valance?

The valance is an ornamental piece of fabric that hangs down from the front bar of your awning. All Betterliving™ Retractable Awnings include a valance. You have a choice of about 10 valance styles to choose from! The standard valance shape is “Serpentine”. The valance is hemmed with a fabric called “braid trim”. Braid trim is available in many colours, you typically choose the colour that best matches the dominant colour of your awning fabric. You can find braid trim and valance styles on our fabric page.

Can I Specify Awning Fabric of a Particular Mill?

If you require the fabric of a particular mill, it is available at a slightly higher cost. We offer fabrics from many mills like Sunbrella, Recacril, Para and Dickson. When ordering you will need to provide the colour code from the manufacturer. Refer to the mill for your fabric warranty.

What Is The Difference Between the Standard Patio Awning Frame And The Hood And Back Cover Options?

In addition to the base model, Betterliving™ retractable awnings have a hood option (except Model 4 Manor, which is a full cassette so it already has a hood). A Hood cover is recommended for awnings with motors.

The awning hood offers some protection to the fabric roll from falling debris, dirt or weather, and may extend the life of your fabric.

When installing under a soffit there is no reason to order a hood.

The back cover option is recommended for roof mount installations. The back cover option always includes the hood option. The back and hood are connected to each other, so the fabric roll is protected from any snow or dirt coming down the roof.

What Colours Are Available For The Retractable Patio Awning Frames?

Colour availability varies with the model. Some models are available in White, Sandstone,

Earthstone, and Black colours, others are available in white only. Refer to the store page for the model you are interested in.

Do you Offer Electric Motors For Your Retractable Patio Awnings?

All Betterliving™ Retractable Patio Awnings come standard with crank handle operation. The awning prices includes a 55″ crank handle. Shorter or longer handles are available for a slight additional cost.

You can also motorize your awning. Betterliving Patio Awnings use genuine Somfy® motors. Most customers choose the remote control motor, which is controlled wirelessly with a hand held 1 zone remote control. If you have lots of awnings you need a 4 zone remote. There is also a Wall Mounted option that puts the remote in your wall so it looks just like a light switch. Another option is the Somfy® myLink™ system that allows you to operate your awning with your smart phone. You can also order a motor without the remote feature.

Did you know all awning motors create a great deal of heat? You should only operate your awning one to 1½ cycles (in & out) at a time. Excessive cycles can result in the internal thermostat shutting off the motor. It can take up to 30 minutes for the motor to cool down enough to operate again.

When ordering your awning you need to tell us whether the gear or motor is on the left or right side. Make sure you are outside looking back at your house when you make this choice.

The standard cord that comes with most awning motors is 10′ long with a 120V plug. An optional 24′ cord is available. Check the store page for complete offering.

What Is An Override Motor?

An override motor combines motor and gear operation. In the case of a power failure you can operate your awning manually. This might be handy if you are located in an area prone to power failures or if the awning will be operated often (read section above about over heating).

Can My Patio Awning Go In Or Out Automatically?

Some people choose the Somfy® Eolis wind sensor option. This is a motion sensor affixed to the front bar of your awning. When the front bar moves due to wind, the awning will retract automatically. There is a sensitivity adjustment. This option is only available when you order a remote control motor for your awning. Read below about wind.

You can also have your awning extend automatically when it gets sunny. Select our Somfy® Sunis Sun Sensor. The sun sensor includes the hand held remote control, so you don’t have to order an extra one for your motor. Use this feature with care, read the wind info in the next FAQ.

How Much Wind Can A Patio Awning Withstand?

Always install your awning according to our factory guidelines. Betterliving™ Patio Awnings are designed to pass the European Standard EN 13561 Class 2, 28-37km/h (17-23mph). This is equivalent to the Beaufort 5 wind rating.

Do not rely on your wind sensor. Someone should always be home to retract the awning when it gets too windy. Never leave the house with your awning extended. There is no warranty for weather related damage.

How Do I Install My Betterliving™ Retractable Awning?

Installation guides are included with your shipment. They are available from our awning installation page and they can also be emailed on request.

Your mounting brackets will usually be fastened to a 2×8 board. It’s a good idea to cap this board with aluminum flashing to protect it from the weather. Not everyone has access to aluminum flashing and bending tools, so we have an extruded vinyl cap that fits over your 2×8, colour matched to the awning frame. Just select the Vinyl Capping option from any of our store pages.

Can I have lighting with my awning?

In the evening, instead of sitting on your patio under a bright porch light, enjoy the ambience of gentle LED lighting. Betterliving™ Retractable Awnings have the unique option of LED light strips installed along the folding arms.

How Do I support The Front Bar Of The Awning?

From our store pages you can select our Telescoping Legs option. Betterliving™ Telescoping legs are designed with a unique quick disconnect mechanism in the event the awning is retracted without notice. Make sure you order at least two.

Supporting the front bar with legs can provide stability in mild wind and reduce the load on the wall brackets. Make sure you retract the awning when it gets too windy. Refer to “How Much Wind Can A Patio Awning Withstand?” in this FAQ and our Retractable Awning Installation page.

What Are The Mounting Options For Patio Awnings?

Betterliving™ Patio Awnings have optional brackets for roof mounting and soffit mounting. Select the appropriate check box from the store page.

Can I Order Additional Mounting Brackets?

Betterliving™ awnings come packaged with the necessary amount of brackets for the size of the awning. You are free to use extra brackets if you desire, make the selection from the store page.

Is the Mounting Bar Made of Aluminum or Steel?

Most Betterliving™ Patio Awning frame components are made with maintenance free aluminum. The mounting bar has to endure a great deal of stress when the awning is extended. For this reason a steel bar is standard. If you want your mounting bar to be aluminum we have an optional heavy aluminum mounting bar. Make your selection from the store page.

What is the Universal Override Shaft?

When installing your awning on the roof (using our roof mount brackets), it will be difficult to reach the gear with the crank handle. Basic awnings include gear operation, as well as our Override Motors. Our Universal Override Shaft is an extension with universal joint that makes it easier to reach the gear on a roof mounted awning.

What Is The Vario Valance?

Vario Valance is an additional shade that lowers vertically from the front profile of your awning. It’s handy if you need shade from the evening sun or to provide privacy. The maximum drop is 52″. Standard fabric is our Shadeview solar fabric or the same fabric as your awning. Other fabrics are available.