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Q: How is Thatcher Retractables different from other awning dealers?
A: Thatcher Retractables is the only local Chicagoland Company that manufactures, installs, and services Retractable Awnings. Other dealers may sell and install awnings, or manufacture and ship the awnings to you, but we are the only company to offer our customers an easy, one-step process. This results in World Class Customer Service, expert awning installation, and, most importantly, we can offer higher quality product for guaranteed low prices. |
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Q: Does Thatcher Retractables
really manufacture retractable awnings?
A: Thatcher
Retractables is recognized by the Professional Awning Manufacturers Association (PAMA),
the Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI), Somfy Motors, and numerous
component and equipment manufacturers as an Original Equipment Manufacture or OEM.
Similar to automobile manufacturers, we assemble the finished product for you. If you
would like to see our 22,000 square foot manufacturing facility, we can arrange factory
tours! |
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Q: Can I install a retractable
awning myself?
A: It is possible
for some customers to install a retractable awning, but most
people choose to leave this job to a professional installer.
If you are thinking of installing the awning yourself, you should
make sure that you can perform the following:
Be able to lift 150 lbs. with two people.
Locate the studs of the house and accurately attach the brackets
to the home or locate rafters to attach the home to the roof.
Be prepared to identify problems and adjust the awning after
it is installed. Note- very few awning dealers will service
an awning that they did not install.
In addition, you should be prepared to take
financial responsibility for any damage to the awning or your
home. When you install
the product, you become the general contractor.
Most importantly, installing the awning yourself
will not really save money. If you compare Thatcher Retractables
installed prices with competitors that do not install, you will
find that the prices are competitive. Additionally, there
are no hidden charges, such as delivery. Plus, Thatcher Retractables
guarantees all of our installations, which saves you money and
headache! |
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Q: Why are there no support
poles on Thatcher Retractable awnings?
A: All
Thatcher Retractable Awnings are lateral arm awnings. A lateral
arm retractable awning uses spring-loaded arms to provide tension
to the fabric as it rolls from a tube. The springs push out the
arms to keep the fabric taut while the awning is extended. This
style of awning is superior to the RV-Style Awning that drops
from the side of the house. The RV-Style requires manual
adjustment of side poles. Additionally, many customers find the
RV-Style poles to be unsightly, and a barrier to moving around
the deck or patio. |
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Q: How
much wind can a Thatcher Retractable awning handle? Wind Sensors? Wind
Poles?
A: Retractable
awnings are not meant to be left extended in harsh weather conditions.
A good test is whether you could comfortably read a newspaper
on your deck or patio. Our average size awning is engineered to withstand wind
gusts up to 25 mph in its extended position, however we advise against exposing the
awning to these conditions to ensure the longest life possible.
Unlike other shade solutions, like umbrellas and gazebos,
retractable awnings can withstand 60-80 mph winds when retracted against the home.
With the press of a button, the awning is safe.
Automatic Wind Sensors can be attached to the awning motor
to retract the awning under heavier wind conditions. However, a wind control is not a
substitute for common sense, and wind sensors do not always prevent damage. If a storm
moves in quickly, which frequently happens here in Chicago, the awning can be damaged
before it fully retracts.
Note: Wind Sensors were designed by motor manufacturers to
be used in applications where an awning or shade system is over a window or door to
shade the interior. These sensors are commonly and improperly sold by others as a sort
of insurance policy in case you forget to retract your awning.
Wind Stabilization Poles can be added to
an awning to provide additional protection from the wind. The bottom
of the Wind Pole slides into a plate that attaches to the deck or
patio. The top of the pole attaches to the front bar of the awning in its
extended position. A set of two wind poles enable the awning to
be used on moderately windy days, but they are not a tool to leave
the awning unattended, or to use the awning in heavy wind and rain. |
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Q: What sizes can a retractable
awning be made?
A: Thatcher
Retractable Awnings can be made as small as 3 or 4 feet for windows,
and as large as 40 feet for large commercial awnings or an ambitious
residential project. Our lateral arm awnings can project to a maximum
of 17’. The home owners choose awnings that suit their individual
needs. The most common sizes are between 11’ & 18’ wide, with a
projection from the home of 10’- 13'. |
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Q: How much do they cost?
A: Just as
they vary in size, Thatcher Retractable awnings vary in price from product to
product. A basic model starts at $999. Our experts can help
you choose the best awning and size for your needs, and clarify the best
installation for your home. |
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Q: How long will the installation
take?
A: Professional
installation usually takes between 1 and 2 hours, depending on
the size of the awning and the complexity of the installation. As
a part of the installation process, the installers will make
sure that your expectations have been met, and demonstrate how
to operate and care for the awning. |
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Q: What
is the fabric and how long does it last? How many colors
are there?
A: Thatcher
Retractables uses only 100% Solution Dyed Woven Acrylic Fabric. The advantage of
this type of fabric is that the color is dyed completely through
the material. This makes the fabric more resistant to the
fading caused by UVA and UVB Rays (harmful Ultra-Violet Rays from
the sun, which have been proven to cause sunburn and skin cancer). In
fact, these fabrics block 98% of UVA & UVB rays, and are recommended
by the Skin Cancer Foundation. Because the fabric is woven,
it is strong enough to withstand years of being stretched by the
arms of the awnings and endure our harsh Chicago weather. Sunbrella and Para fabrics
are under warranty for a period of 10 years, and typically last 10-12 years.
Thatcher Retractables offers over 400 shades
and patterns of Dixon, Sauleda, Para, Sattler, and Sunbrella colors. These
materials provide optimum quality and offer the greatest selection
of colors and patterns. |
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Q: I
live in a home that has a homeowner’s association. Are
these awnings allowed?
A: Many homeowner
associations already have rules regarding retractable awnings, Thatcher
Retractables can comply with the existing rules. In addition,
Thatcher Retractables has worked with many associations, small
and large, to create standards that work for both the individual
home owners and the association board.
Some communities that we have worked with are: DelWebb Shorewood,
DelWebb Elgin, DelWebb Huntley, Carillon Lakes, Carillon, Grand
Haven, Carillon StoneGate, Sunset Ridge at Aspen Shores, and many
more. |
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Q: What do I do with the
awning in the winter?
A: Even in
the case that an awning is under an eave, or the awning was installed
with an optional protective hood, it is always advisable to remove
the valance for the winter. This is a simple process, and
we provide full instructions on how to slide the valance out
of its track in the front bar.
If your awning’s fabric cover is exposed when
retracted for the winter, a Winter Cover can be purchased that
protects the fabric and valance. Our Winter Covers are manufactured
from high-quality vinyl, and custom fit to slide easily over your
awning. We
have a several colors to choose from, to ensure that the Winter
Cover suits your home.
These measures are done to extend the life
and beauty of the fabric, and are not truly necessary for the
awning to operate correctly. The
powder-coated aluminum frame will withstand years of exposure to
the elements. |
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Q: Should I get a motorized
or manual awning?
A: In most cases, a motorized awning
is recommended. An awning can be operated manually, but some strength
is needed to bring the awning in against the tension of the arms.
The majority of people choose a motorized remote control operation,
because the ease of operation outweighs the slight cost difference. |
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Q: What if I have limited
space below my soffit or overhang?
A: Thatcher
Retractable Awnings require approximately 8” of space between
the top of the windows or doors and the bottom of the soffit
or overhang. All awnings should be at least 90” (or 7’6”) off
the ground, in order to provide sufficient clearance and comfort
during use. If your home does not have those conditions, don’t
worry. The awning can
be installed using special roof mount brackets. This is a
desirable installation on Tri-Level and Ranch style homes. Note-
No need to worry about the brackets causing your roof to leak.
We guarantee the installation! |
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Q: Can an awning be installed
on vinyl siding, aluminum siding, brick, stucco, etc.?
A: Thatcher Retractable awnings
can be installed on any siding surface. Each installation
requires different specifications; your installation will be explained
by one of our experts. |
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Q: Do I need to get an
electrician to hook up the motor?
A: No electrician is needed to
install the electric. The motor comes with an outdoor cord that
plugs into your existing 3-prong grounded outlet. |
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Q: Will a Thatcher Retractable
protect me from Rain or Snow?
A: Thatcher
Retractables are engineered to handle light rain and wind. Water
should never be allowed to pool on the fabric, so supervision
is, as always, required when using the awning in light rain.
Thatcher Retractables are NOT
engineered to handle any kind of a snow-load. |
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Q: Does Thatcher Retractables
provide other shade solutions?
A: Thatcher
Retractables’ product line includes the Thatcher RetractaDrop,
Thatcher RetractaShade, and TigerFrame stationary awnings. The RetractaDrop
awning is a retractable awning used to cover small windows and
some doors. The Thatcher RetractaShade utilizes open-weave
materials to provide soft, discreet shading. Both are available
with manual or remote control motorized operation. TigerFrame
stationary awnings utilize welded aluminum or steel and fabric
to create a year-round shade and weather solution. |
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Q: Do I need a protective
hood for my awning?
A: If the awning
is under a soffit or eave, you do NOT need a hood. If the awning is exposed
to the elements, you may choose to purchase the optional hood. If you choose to
do so, it is important to note that we recommend removing your valance in the winter
as this is not covered by the hood. In Chicago, many extreme weather conditions
occur in the winter and our winter cover is also a cost-effective solution. |
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Q: What kind of accessories
do you offer?
A: Our most popular accessories
are our Front and Side Solar Screens. These are manufactured
of an open-weave mesh material that enables you to look through
the screen without obstruction. At the same time, our Solar
Screens provide additional sun protection, no matter the angle
of the sun.
Wind Stabilization Poles provide additional support to allow the
awning to be used in marginal weather.
Winter Covers and Hoods provide protection to the fabric, and
maintain its life and beauty for years to come.
How do retractable awnings affect the temperature on my deck or
patio? Inside my home?
Thatcher Retractable awnings
reduce the temperature on your deck or patio by up to 20 degrees.
Also, our fabric awnings reduce heat gain by 55-65% on Southern
facing windows and 72-77% of Western facing windows. These
properties make retractable awnings an excellent way to save
on cooling costs. |
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Q: What is the InvisiSeal
Process and why is it better?
A: Thatcher
Retractables uses the InvisiSeal Process to heat-seal the widths
of fabric together. This has two benefits over traditional double
needle sewing. The first benefit is the strength of the seam.
By using heat and pressure, the material fuses together and has
a much smaller failure rate than thread. The other benefit of this process
is that the seam is virtually invisible. Lesser awning manufacturers
use automated machines to sew the fabric to increase the speed
of production. For this reason, they do not change the color
of thread to match the awning. Many home owners are dissatisfied
with the unsightly visibility of the thread on the seams. |
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