Expert Spotlight: RetractableAwnings.com Inc.

RetractableAwnings.com  Inc. is a family owned and operated manufacturer, distributor and installer of all types of high quality, best in class, commercial grade European retractable exterior sun, wind, rain, bug and snow protection systems. 

This includes retractable awnings, retractable patio and deck pergola cover systems, retractable canopies, retractable vertical drop awnings/screens, retractable telescopic awnings, retractable side arm/drop arm awnings, rotating louver roof systems, retracting louver roof systems, retractable butterfly shading systems and more.

A Family Business Turns Digital

RetractableAwnings.com was originally an interior window treatment business known as New View Blinds that company President Morris D. Scop and V.P. of Sales and Digital Marketing Eric M. Scop purchased in 1986. The Scops soon realized that the demand, and therefore growth, was higher in the exterior sector of the window and door covering industry. So to help with growth, brother Ivor C. Scop CPA joined as V.P. of Operations and brother-in-law Rocky Clavelo Jr. joined as Production Manager, making it a true family affair.  

The company name was changed to New View Retractable Awnings and is still in existence today, providing shop-at-home sales from Key West to Jupiter, FL. The local company then began to sell retractable awnings by purchasing prefabricated units. The Scops were selling so many that they decided to begin fabricating and assembling themselves.

In 1998 Steve Scop, their techy brother not in the business, mentioned something called the Internet and recommended reserving the domain name www.retractableawnings.com  for $35 at Network Solutions. The rest is history! 

Through their website, www.retractableawnings.com has shipped thousands of retractable awnings and other retractable sun, wind, rain, bug and snow protection products to every single state in the US, most of Canada and many other countries including 24 retractable awnings for the US Marines in Japan.

Products are used to cover residential, commercial and institutional patios, decks, gardens, pergolas, carports, porches, walkways, windows, gazebos, cabanas, pavilions, swimming pools, golf course driving ranges, rooftops and much more.

Clients worldwide include architects, landscape architects, interior and exterior designers, general contractors, hotels, restaurants, golf clubs, nightclubs, pubs, institutions and the public at large.

Treating Customers Like Family

RetractableAwnings.com is unique in the following areas:

● They provide one on one personal service via phone, Skype, live chat, in person or even over WhatsApp!

● They’re committed to providing outstanding service prior to, during and after the sale.

● They believe an educated consumer is their best customer.

● They only use the very best components and vendors in the world.

● Customers are their first priority, because without them RetractableAwnings.com would not exist!

Why Motorization is a Smart Choice

RetractableAwnings.com is a Somfy Expert because they see the benefits motorization brings for their customers, including: 

● Convenience - Customers can control their application at the touch of a button, tablet or smartphone. No need to rotate a manual crank many, many times to open and close!

● Privacy – Motorization provides the ability to open and close an exterior retractable screen for added privacy.

● Protection – Users can close an exterior retractable screen or a retractable awning at different times of the day depending on the sun location, thus protecting furniture, flooring and more from fading.

● Home Value – Motorization added to any or all products increases home value because it simplifies life.

● Safety – Motorization protects children and pets from strangulation risks by eliminating exterior cords.  

Shading Solutions For Residential and Commercial 

RetractableAwnings.com worked with an architect from HOK, one of the largest architectural firms in the world, to provide four free-standing retractable patio and deck pergola cover systems for the Four Seasons Hotel in Disney World. The hotel was looking to provide a retreat for hotel guests from the heat, sun, glare and UV rays while still enjoying the outdoor setting. 

RetractableAwnings.com specified Ferrari Precontraint 502-1499 Shifting Grey fabric which, in addition to matching the decor, is also fire retardant. They also provided a grey hood for the rear of each to prevent rain water, leaves and debris from collecting in the folds of fabric. 

When installing, a running profile from end to end in the rear was necessary to attach the specified Somfy RTS motors. The client chose to control the units with a Telis 5 remote, allowing them to operate the units both individually and as a group. Somfy RTS wind sensors were also provided in order to protect the fabric and frame by automatically retracting during high wind events or hurricanes.What made this project complex was that the units had to be mounted on top of separate concrete, side by side girders. This meant calculating and manufacturing the units had to be very, very precise. There was really no room for error. 

Another challenge was to make sure these structures would meet local wind load requirements for the property. Custom made aluminum “L” Brackets for the post base connections were designed and installed to meet the high wind loads required for this Florida Disney property. 

The end result turned out great and the client was ecstatic with all four retractable patio cover systems! These shading systems dramatically transformed the lake and swimming pool areas of the hotel, making them a truly outstanding example of the marriage between design, function and aesthetics. 

Creating Functional Outdoor Spaces

Home should be a comfortable place, where you can enjoy the world around you. In Atlanta, Georgia the lush foliage is tempered by high heat, blistering sunshine, periodic rain and occasional storms and wind. Unfortunately, these conditions can keep homeowners from truly enjoying their properties. 

This residential project had one simple goal: create an outdoor oasis. The homeowners enjoyed spending time in their lovely garden and entertaining friends on their back patio. Unfortunately, the heat and changing weather limited how often they could use their outdoor spaces. A motorized awning was a great way to take back their backyard from the elements and enjoy their space more fully. 

RetractableAwnings.com chose the Monza model because its treated wood is extremely resilient, but has an earthy, soft aesthetic that complemented the classic red brick of the house. To prevent water or debris from accumulating in the fabric folds, a hood was added to the awnings. In order to match it to the decor, it was powder-coated a warm brown to blend into the wooden frame. Purlin covers were also used on the beams for additional protection.

The challenge for RetractableAwnings.com when installing is that the wall and frame of the house were unusually thick, yet uneven in depth. The Monza frame has to be installed against a wall or eave and on the ground. Since the awning was motorized, the cables for the motor are generally run through holes to connect to the electrical system. Because of the thick walls, drilling the holes and feeding the cable was more challenging than usual. 

But those challenges don’t show in the end result. The homeowner was so pleased with the initial patio system that he decided to add retractable vertical drop awning screens and gable ends to allow the space to be completely enclosed. Now he’ll be able to heat the newly created outdoor living space in winter and air condition it in the summer, creating an outdoor space his family can utilize year round!

Retractableawnings.com ships and installs all products offered worldwide. In addition, https://www.retractableawnings.com has over 200 installers worldwide at their sister website www.awninginstallers.com (owned by Retractableawnings.com).

Retractableawnings.com has been in business since 1986 as a “brick and mortar” business and online since 1998. Retractableawnings.com is an A+ Better Business Bureau member since 1992 and in addition has an A rating on AngiesList.com – the highest rating on both websites. Contact RetractableAwnings.com for more information!