Frequently Asked Questions

Most residential retractable awning installations take 3 to 5 hours. Motorized awnings typically run 4 to 6 hours due to wiring. Fixed aluminum or canvas awnings are usually 2 to 4 hours depending on the number of units. Pergolas take 2 to 3 days of construction once permits are approved.

Never. The same crew that shows up for your estimate is the crew that installs your awning or builds your pergola. We've operated this way since 2006. This is our most important commitment to our customers — same crew, start to finish, no exceptions.

We serve all of Nassau and Suffolk Counties from our Copiague shop. This covers every town from the Nassau-Queens border to Montauk and the Hamptons on the East End. Free in-home estimates throughout Long Island — no travel charge.

Yes. For projects that require permits — pergolas, patio covers, and some fixed commercial awnings — we handle the entire permit process. This includes engineering drawings, permit applications, and inspection coordination. Permit fees (set by the municipality) are separate and typically run $200–$700.

We provide a 2-year labor warranty on every installation, in addition to the manufacturer's product warranty. If anything we installed fails due to workmanship, we fix it — free of charge. Manufacturer warranties range from 3 to 7 years on frames and motors, and 3 to 10 years on fabric depending on the brand.

We install awnings year-round. The best time to schedule is late fall through early spring (November through March) when our schedule is most flexible and lead times are shortest. For spring installations, we recommend booking by February. Summer months are our busiest — expect 3 to 6 week lead times.

For Long Island's coastal salt-air environment, we recommend solution-dyed acrylic fabric exclusively — either Sunbrella or Dickson. Solution-dyed means the color is in the fiber itself, not printed on the surface, so it won't bleach, peel, or fade in salt air. We do not install polyester canvas awnings on Long Island.

With proper care: Sunesta awnings last 12 to 20 years, SunSetter awnings 8 to 12 years, canvas awnings 8 to 15 years, and aluminum awnings 25 to 40 years. Key maintenance: retract before major storms, clean annually with mild soap, and apply fabric reproofer every 3 to 5 years on canvas awnings.

Properly specified awnings, yes. We install only marine-grade aluminum frames with powder-coat finishes rated to ASTM B117 salt-spray standards, stainless steel or hot-dip galvanized mounting hardware, and Sunbrella or Dickson solution-dyed acrylic fabric. These are our baseline standards for every Long Island installation — not premium upgrades.

The single best protection for any awning in a nor'easter is to retract it before the storm. For motorized awnings, a wind sensor that auto-retracts at 18 to 20 mph sustained winds is our most important recommendation for Long Island. Structurally, Sunesta's heavy-gauge aluminum arms withstand more wind load than SunSetter when fully extended.

SunSetter is excellent value at the entry and mid tier — 5-year fabric warranty, 8 to 12 ft projection options, 8 to 20 ft width range. Sunesta is a premium step up — 10-year fabric warranty, up to 15 ft projection, up to 40 ft continuous width, heavier-gauge arms, and a lifetime frame warranty. We recommend Sunesta for wide patios (20+ ft), waterfront properties, and commercial applications.

For window and door awnings designed to stay up year-round, aluminum is almost always the right choice. It withstands snow loads, never needs seasonal removal, requires virtually no maintenance, and lasts 25 to 40 years. Canvas window awnings are beautiful but require seasonal removal or replacement fabric every 8 to 15 years.

Retractable awning installation on Long Island runs $1,800 to $5,500+ fully installed. A 10×10 ft manual SunSetter starts at $1,800. A 14×12 ft motorized SunSetter Vista runs $3,200 to $3,800. A 18×14 ft motorized Sunesta with wind sensor is $4,200 to $5,000. Exact pricing depends on size, brand, and installation details.

Pergola installation on Long Island runs $4,500 to $18,000. A 12×16 ft cedar attached pergola is typically $6,000 to $9,000. A 16×20 ft freestanding cedar pergola is $8,000 to $14,000. Premium aluminum louvered pergola systems run $10,000 to $18,000. All prices include permits, materials, and labor.

Yes. We offer flexible financing through GreenSky and other programs. Many customers use 12-month no-interest financing for larger awning and pergola projects. Ask us about current financing options when you call or during your estimate.

We accept cash, check, credit card, and financing. Our typical payment schedule is 50% at contract signing and 50% at project completion. For smaller repairs, we accept full payment at the time of service.

Permit fees are separate and set by the municipality — they're not our fee to set. For most retractable awning installations, no permit is required (fee: $0). For pergolas and patio covers, permit fees typically run $200 to $700 depending on the municipality and project size. We always advise you of anticipated permit costs before you sign.

No. Free in-home estimates throughout Nassau and Suffolk Counties. We measure your space, assess the installation conditions, discuss your options, and provide a detailed written proposal — typically within 24 hours of the estimate visit. No travel charge, no obligation.

Retractable awnings attached to a home wall or fascia generally don't require permits in most Nassau County municipalities. Pergolas and patio covers do require permits from the local building department. Nassau County municipalities include incorporated villages that may have additional requirements — we check your specific location.

Similar to Nassau County — retractable awnings attached to a home usually don't need permits in most Suffolk County towns. Pergolas and patio covers require permits from the relevant Town Building Department (Town of Babylon, Town of Islip, Town of Huntington, etc.). Suffolk County requirements vary more by town than Nassau.

Yes, significantly. Waterfront homes within 2 miles of the Great South Bay, Long Island Sound, or the Atlantic face salt-air conditions that accelerate the degradation of cheaper outdoor structures. We specify marine-grade powder-coat aluminum (ASTM B117 rated), stainless steel hardware, and Sunbrella or Dickson solution-dyed acrylic for all coastal installations. We also strongly recommend motorized awnings with wind sensors for waterfront properties exposed to coastal gusts.

For motorized retractable awnings: retract fully and keep retracted through winter. For manual retractable awnings: retract and secure the manual crank. For canvas fixed awnings: we recommend removing the canvas for winter storage if the frame allows it — canvas removed in October and reinstalled in April extends fabric life by 30 to 50%. For aluminum fixed awnings: no action needed — leave them up year-round.

First, retract or secure the awning to prevent further damage. Then call us at (631) 565-8314 — we prioritize storm damage calls and typically schedule within 1 to 3 business days after a major storm. We provide written damage assessments compatible with most homeowner's insurance claims. Do not attempt to force a damaged awning to retract if the frame is visibly bent.