Expert Spotlight: Berges Trenton Awning

Berges Trenton Awning Inc. is a family owned and operated custom awning manufacturing company. They have been established in Southern New Jersey since 1927. 

Berges Trenton Awning is always setting their eyes on how to improve their product, and with Somfy motors they have been able to become one of the leading retractable awning and screen suppliers in South Jersey. They have already installed over 100 Somfy motorized retractable products in 2017 so far and are still ordering and installing more every day!

Over Nine Decades in South Jersey

In 1927, Louis Berges was looking to establish a new business. Living out his American dream, Louis decided what better place to secure the future for his family than to move to “America’s Playground,” Atlantic City, New Jersey. 

Drawing from his own abilities and his wife’s seamstress skills, Louis founded an awning company. Paying homage to his first home in the US, he named the new venture “Berges Trenton Awning”. Right at the start, his wife Mary set the bar high and coined their famous motto: "Awnings Just A Shade Better."

Now Berges Trenton Awning is in their fourth generation and celebrating 90 years of continued business in South Jersey. The family’s fifth generation will be growing up within the company’s walls as well. Nate Berges’ daughter and son are already getting their feet wet with the idea of awnings.

(On the far right in this photo from 1934 is Minnie Mary Berges, one of the founders of Berges Trenton Awning. The little boy next to her is Ron Berges, the second generation of Berges Trenton Awning!)

A Family Company That Cares

Berges Trenton Awning is one of the few companies in the area able to manufacture, install, service and provide any shading products a home or business may need; all from under one roof. A family member of some capacity handles each process of a customer’s awning purchase. 

Owner Richard Berges can still be found hand-crafting our traditional awnings and laying out new work on a daily basis. Richard's son Nate Berges handles outside sales, as well as having the knowledge and hands-on skills to manufacture the fabric and frames that have been passed down through generations. Richard’s sister LuAnn can be heard when a customer calls the shop, and she also manages daily schedules. 

The rest of the Berges Trenton Awning team fits into the shop accordingly, and feels as though they are also family. Each member has been hand-picked and added to the company due to their abilities and performance observed over time. 

Berges Trenton Awning truly believes in linear leadership within the company. They believe that you get more done as a team and pull out the best qualities and craftsmanship from the crew when you are doing a job together. They really feel that this approach is what has helped the company thrive for over nine decades in South Jersey.

Why Motorize?

For Berges Trenton Awning, motorizing their awning work really opened a whole new world of possibilities for their customers. The retractable awning and screen market has been taking off in the South Jersey area and they are excited to be at the forefront of this new wave. Being able to tell a customer that their awning can be operated with a wireless remote really puts the right touch on the high-end retractable awnings and screens Berges Trenton Awning sells. 

When Berges Trenton Awning works on projects containing multiple awnings and screens, Somfy even has the right products to minimize the need for finding remotes or having to look for multiple sources to power them. Instead, they’re able to keep customers happy with one hand-held device to operate multiple products harmoniously.

Awnings Just A Shade Better

Berges Trenton Awning live by the motto Mary Berges coined back in the 1920s: "Awnings Just a Shade Better." This family-owned business has been around for generations because they focus on giving customers the best products and experience every time. Here are some things that set their company apart:

• Berges Trenton Awning is proud to be able to manufacture anything from simple window awnings through to large commercial patio enclosures with motorized side walls.
• They have sold over 100 retractable awnings and screens this season alone.
• They provide seasonal service to over 800 customers.
• Berges Trenton Awning produces all fabrication of frames and fabric in house.

Smart Solutions For Outdoor Living

This is a popular new idea Berges’ has been building in beach towns. A custom built canopy structure with motorized drop walls around the perimeter to create an extension of their restaurant that can be used in inclement weather too. The side walls add a level of coziness and function to the deck area that wasn't as usable before Berges’ product was in place. It expanded the restaurant's dining area and is now the place to sit when visiting this local hot spot.

This customer was looking to cover their hot tub and patio area so they could sit outside and enjoy this space more. They didn't want to worry about yearly service, but wanted an awning that could simply "go away" when not in use. Berges Trenton Awning installed this SunRoof Plus and achieved all their goals in one sleek product.

This customer wanted to cover their porch with a "traditional" awning but was also concerned with what to do when the sun sets. The drop arm awnings are really awesome because they allow the customer to drop the awning up to 180 degrees from it's mounting point. Now as the sun is setting the customer can remain in the shade the whole time.

This job is located on the third floor of a very windy city. They wanted to stop the wind as well as create shade on their deck when the sun is setting. The motorized screen was the best of all worlds! It provids a push button solution for them when they need to block the sun and it hides away in its case when not in use. The side retention tracks insures it’s possible to sit close to the screen without it blowing into the customer or their guests when outside. 

Berges Trenton Awning has spent the last nine decades focused on quality products and service. Contact Berges Trenton Awning to see how you can turn your backyard into an outdoor oasis!