Contra Costa County – Awnings

Check over your awnings and all included materials upon delivery. Ensure that the item is new, undamaged, and exactly what is listed on your invoice. If you’ve had your new awnings installed, also verify that all work has been done to your satisfaction and is done the way the contractor promised.

At this point, you should review the invoice from your Contra Costa County awning company. All complete invoices should include the following:

• The name, physical address and state license number (if installation work was performed) of the Contra Costa County awning store or awning installation company.
• A list of the awnings you’ve purchased, including brand, size, color, material and model number.
• A complete list of all work performed.
• An itemized list of all installation materials purchased.
• The total cost for awning installation services, including an itemized amount due for labor.
• A written explanation of any warranties or guarantees provided by the product manufacturers, awning store and awning installation contractors.

Confirm any warranties offered by the awning manufacturers or awning stores in Contra Costa County, including those in the larger cities of Pleasant Hill, Martinez, Concord, Richmond, Brentwood, Danville, Antioch, Walnut Creek, Pittsburg and San Ramon or your area.

For your protection, written warranties should include the following information:

• The Contra Costa awning store’s physical address.
• What the warranty covers. This should include whether the awning company or awning seller will replace or repair faulty products. Any exclusions must be explicitly stated.
• Your responsibility in the case of a problem with your new awnings and what you need to do in order to redeem the warranty.
• How long the warranty is valid, and whether it expires on a specific day or if it is prorated.
• If the awning warranties are transferable if you sell your home or the building on which the new awnings were installed.

A huge variety of awnings and awning services are available in Contra Costa County, including Danville, Antioch, San Ramon, Walnut Creek and Pittsburg and other areas.

Some are more popular than others, however. A list of those popular awnings and awning services is listed below for your convenience. Talk with the awning companies near you to find out exactly what types of awnings are available to you.

Retractable Awnings
These awnings are retractable, meaning they roll or fold up manually or automatically. Retractable awnings are popular on porches, patios, restaurants, windows and other areas where the awning is only needed to block out direct sun during part of the day. When the area is shaded or at night, the awning can be retracted or rolled up, leaving the area more open.

Shade Sails
Shade sails are tightly-tensioned fabric swaths that are anchored at the corners and provide shade. Unlike awnings, shade sails are not permanently affixed to the side of a building. These shade sails come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and colors, and are often made out of high-density, UV-resistant fabrics. Shade sails can be an inexpensive and visually-pleasing option for homes, businesses and areas that aren’t good fits for traditional awnings and canopies.

 Patio Canopies
Sun canopies are fabric-covered structures that provide protection from the elements, decoration or business identification. Canopies are usually free-standing, or are attached to a building on one side and to support posts on the other side, whereas most awnings are completely supported by the building on which they are mounted.

RV Awnings / Mobile Home Awnings / Camper Awnings
Awnings specially built to attach to RVs and mobile homes are known as camper awnings. These are usually retractable awnings that roll up tight to the side of the RV to allow for easy transport. RV awnings can help provide a shady place to sit outside of the camper and may help keep mobile homes cooler by deflecting direct sun from the exterior.

Window Awnings in Contra Costa County
Window awnings are those awnings that are installed over windows and doors to block direct sun. Window awnings are often made of high-grade coated fabric, but they can also be aluminum awnings that are permanently affixed to the window frame. Window awnings can help keep homes cooler and prevent fading of furniture and carpeting by blocking UV rays.

Aluminum Awnings / Metal Awnings
Aluminum and other metal awnings are permanently affixed to the side of homes and businesses. These are often decorative and block harmful UV rays and the heat of direct sun. Many homes use permanent metal awnings as a decorative feature. Aluminum awnings may come in a variety of colors and styles.

Patio Awnings
Patio awnings are retractable or fixed awnings that stretch over a patio or deck area. They block direct sun and keep the patio cooler, making for more comfortable outdoor living in San Ramon, Danville, Brentwood, Martinez and Pleasant Hill and rural areas.

Movable Awnings
Awnings that are affixed to the sides of homes or businesses are considered permanent. However, movable awnings and canopies are those that are freestanding. These freestanding awnings can be shifted, like very large patio umbrellas, to block sun at whatever angle is needed. Movable awnings are popular on residential patio and decks, business courtyards, and in restaurant outdoor seating areas.

Business Awnings / Professional Building Awnings
Awnings at businesses in Contra Costa County may serve dual purposes: blocking sun and providing decoration and even identification. Business awnings can have the business name, address and even advertising slogans or information included on them.

Awning Installation in Contra Costa County
Simple awnings can be easy to install, but some awnings require professional installation. Awnings for multi-story buildings, metal awnings, permanent awnings, and homes that require awnings on many windows may be good candidates for professional awning installation services in Contra Costa County.

Awning Manufacturers Serving Contra Costa County and the Greater Bay Area
Regardless of what type of awning you’re looking for, or whether you live in Pleasant Hill, Concord, Martinez, Richmond and Brentwood or another area, there is a manufacturer who can provide it. Some of the more well-known awning manufacturers and awning companies are listed below.

• Sunbrella Awnings
• Sunsetter Retractable Awnings
• Durasol Awnings
• Taylor Made Retractable Awnings
• Caravan Canopy
• King Canopy
• Nulmage Awnings
• Shelter Logic Awnings and Canopies
• Craftbilt Awnings
• Aleko Retractable Patio Awnings
• Outsunny Retractable Awnings
• Homcom Awnings
• Sunesta Outdoor Retractable Awnings

Awnings companies have their own language to describe the products, materials and installation techniques used in their industry. The glossary below may help you decipher the phrases used by your awnings provider. If you still have questions regarding the exact products you’ll be receiving as part of your deal with a local awning contractor, be sure to ask for clarification and descriptions in layman’s terms.

abrasion resistance
A material’s ability to withstand wear from flapping, friction, scraping, rubbing or other awning-to-awning contact or contact between the awning materials and the building on which they’re mounted.

Also known as: withstand abrasion, resist abrasiveness

acrylic
Acrylic fabrics are those with manufactured fibers made from synthetic polymers. Acrylic fibers often stand up to weather, wear and harsh conditions better than natural fibers.

Also known as: acrylic awnings, acrylic fiber awnings, acrylic canopies, acrylic fabrics, acrylic coated fabrics

aluminum tubing
Like aluminum pipes, aluminum tubing is a light, strong alternative to steel piping and tubing. Aluminum tubing is often used to create the frame of outdoor awnings because it is available in a variety of sizes and shapes. It also resists rust and is light enough to install on eaves of homes and businesses.

Also known as: aluminum awning frames, aluminum canopy frames, aluminum pipes, aluminum tubes

awning
Awnings are additions to homes or businesses that are used for decoration, business name advertising, and protection from the elements. Most awnings are made of a light aluminum skeleton covered with a fabric or acrylic-coated fabric sheet  to keep out sun and rain. Some permanent awnings come in the form of metal awnings. Awnings may be permanently affixed, stand-alone units, removable, manually-retractable, automatically retractable or motorized. Awnings are different from canopies in that the weight of awnings are completely supported by the building they are attached to, while canopies are usually free-standing or supported  on one side by separate posts.

Also known as: canopy, motorized awning, business awnings, metal awnings, patio awnings, patio cover, retractable awnings, window awnings, camper awnings, rv awning

canopy
Like awnings, canopies are fabric-covered structures that are meant to provide protection from the elements, decoration or business identification. Canopies are usually free-standing and are often attached to a building on one side and to support posts on the other side, whereas most awnings are completely supported by the building on which they are mounted.

Also known as: canvas canopies, house canopies, porch canopies, canopy tents, shade canopy, patio canopy, caravan canopy, car canopy, beach canopy, outdoor canopy, gazebo canopy, pop-up canopy

canvas
Canvas is a heavy fabric usually made from cotton, linen or synthetic threads. Canvas is identified by its tight, even weave and smooth feel. Canvas is most often used for industrial purposes, sails, awnings and canopy tops. Canvas may be dyed to provide additional decoration.

Also known as: canvas awning, canvas canopy, synthetic canvas awnings

coated fabric
Coated fabrics are those that are treated or covered with a substance that makes them resistant or impervious to water, fading and wear. Most coated fabric used for awnings is acrylic-coated canvas, but they can also be made from other tough fabrics coated in rubber, resin, plastic, melamine, oil, PVC, urethane, neoprene and other tough industrial coatings.

Also known as: coated canvas, coated awnings, weather coated awnings, water-resistant awning fabric, waterproof awning fabrics

drop
The total length of awnings from the mounted wall to the farthest edge when they are fully extended is known as the drop.

Also known as: awning length

fireproof
Some awnings are coated to be fireproof or fire resistant. These fabrics are treated with flame retardants that make the fabric impervious or resistant to flame. Awnings on homes in fire-prone areas should be fire resistant or fireproof for added fire protection.

Also known as: fireproof awnings, fire-resistant awnings

freestanding awnings
Most awnings attach to and are supported by a home, building or other structure. However, freestanding awnings do exist. These are awnings that are supported by posts poured into concrete footings or heavy, but moveable, bases. Freestanding awnings are sometimes considered canopies.

Also known as: temporary awnings, movable awnings, patio awnings, self-supporting awning

illuminated awning
Awnings with built-in lighting are considered illuminated awnings, or lighted awnings. These lit awnings have lighting systems built-in behind the fabric so that the canvas of the awning is lit.

Also known as: lit awning, lighted awning

mildew-resistant awning
Most canvas awnings and canopies are treated with substances that prevent or discourage the growth of mold, mildew and other fungus. While most awnings can’t be made completely mildew-proof, mildew-resistant fabrics can impede the growth of mildew and extend the life of the product.

Also known as: anti-mildew awnings, mold-resistant awnings

rain sensor
Some automatic retractable awnings are enabled with an electrical contact that measures the air for moisture and automatically retracts the awning if it begins to rain.

Also known as: automatic rain sensor, automatically retractable awning

retractable awning
Retractable awnings are those that can be manually or mechanically retracted, rolled or collapsed. This is usually done to prevent the awning from being damaged by snow accumulation, rain, heavy wind and when the canopy isn’t being used. Retractable awnings are popular over patios and yards where coverage is only wanted during peak sun hours. Retractable awnings can last longer than fixed awnings because they are less likely to be damaged by bearing heavy loads.

Also known as: collapsing awnings, lateral arm awnings, retractable patio awnings, motorized awnings

sun sensor
Some automatic awnings are enabled with a sun sensor that causes the awning to automatically extend when the sun shines and automatically retract when the sun sets or clouds cover the sun. This prevents you from having to physically extend your awning or monitor for weather changes, while still protecting your home or patio from direct sun.

valance
A decorative front piece that attaches to awnings to create visual appeal. Valances are often scalloped and edged with a complementary color to provide decoration. Most valances are approximately six inches long and drop down from the front support bar, which hides the mechanical workings of the awning from view.

Also known as: awning valances, decorative awning

wind sensor
Automatic awnings may be outfitted with wind sensors that automatically  retract the awning if the wind or wind gusts become to strong for the awning. This helps prevent damage to your awning and keeps you from having to monitor the weather.

Also known as: wind gust sensor, automatic awning retraction

winding mechanism
Some awnings are automatic, some are closed using a manual winding handle, and others have a combination that allow you to use either manual or mechanical means of retraction. Automatic winding mechanisms are usually housed in a box to protect the electrical components. Manual winding mechanisms are usually in the form of a crank handle.

Also known as: winding handle, manual winding handle, manual awning retraction, electrical retractable awning, electric awning mechanism

Obviously each awning and installation site are different, so you’ll want to ask job-specific questions of the awning contractor you’re considering. However, there are some common questions that homeowners and business owners want to know before purchasing a new window awning.

Many of the most common questions and answers are listed below for your convenience.

Q: Why choose Diamond Certified awning provider?
A: Diamond Certified helps you purchase new awnings with confidence by offering a list of top-rated local companies who have passed the country’s most in-depth rating process. Only local awning manufacturers and awning companies rated Highest in Quality earn the prestigious Diamond Certified award. Most companies can’t pass the ratings. American Ratings Corporation also monitors every Diamond Certified company with ongoing research and ratings. And your purchase is backed by the Diamond Certified Performance Guarantee. So you’ll feel confident choosing a Diamond Certified awnings company to build, provide and install your awnings.

Q: How do I know what type of awning is right for my home or business?
A: To find the right awning solution for you and your home, you’ll want to consider your specific needs, the location of your home or business, the number of awnings you’ll want to install and on which windows you want them, how you hope to use your awnings, your goals for your new awnings and the amount you have to spend on purchasing and installing new awnings. Think about whether you want fixed awnings, removable awnings or motorized awnings. Freestanding awnings are also available.

Q: Can I expect my awnings to hold up in windy conditions?
A: Most high-quality awnings are sturdy enough to handle windy weather. However, if your home is in an area that regularly faces strong or gusty winds, ask your awnings dealer which brands and models they recommend. Some awnings are better built to stand up to high winds or gusty conditions. Some also come with optional braces and accessories to reduce strain and movement in the wind. You may also want to invest in retractable awnings and motorized awnings that can be closed on very windy days.

Q: Will a window awning help keep my home cooler?
A: Yes, properly-positioned awnings can block direct sun rays from shining in windows and glass doors, which can keep your home much cooler on even very hot days. This can save you money on air conditioning and cooling.

Q: Will awnings keep my furniture and carpeting looking newer?
A: Yes. Opaque awnings that shade windows and glass doors keep direct sun from fading carpeting, furniture and other belongings. You’ll want to take note of when the direct sun shines in your home so that you can be sure you get new awnings in the correct size and position.

Q: Can I install my new awning myself?
A: That depends on the type of awning you’ve purchased, where you want to install it and how handy you are at such home improvement projects. Some awnings are easy to install, and come with all of the setup materials and instructions. Other awnings or installation locations may require you to hire a professional awning installer to do the work. As with any home improvement project, consult a professional or company representative with questions and advice if you are unsure whether you can install the new window awnings yourself. Many awning dealers provide installation services for an additional charge.

Q: Where can I install awnings?
A: Awnings are flexible, and styles exist for installation almost anywhere. Homes, businesses, mobile homes, garages, pool decks, outdoor living areas, porches, patios, restaurant outdoor dining areas, playground areas and other spaces are all good fits for awnings. You will have the most installation options if the area in which you wish to install the awning has a stationary wall, but freestanding awnings are also available for yards, patios, playgrounds and other areas without solid walls.

Q: What are awnings made out of?
A: Most awnings are made from specialty woven fabrics. Many are laminated or coated to make them stronger, waterproof, fire-resistant and resistant to mildew and fading. Some awnings are also treated with materials that make them UV resistant, which can provide you with sun protection equal to high SPF sunscreen. Good-quality outdoor awnings are often made with dyed-in colors, so they hold their color and don’t fade over time. You can also find awnings with protective coatings that help them last even longer, despite weather and natural degradation. The metal parts are usually built with powder-coated aluminum, or another lightweight metal that resists rusting and corrosion. Well-made awnings can last up to 10 years if you care for them as the manufacturer recommends.

Q: Will my new awning be waterproof, or will it leak in the rain?
A: That depends on the type and quality of awning you purchase. Many outdoor awnings are made with laminated or coated fabrics and then sealed with a clear coat that renders them water-repellent or even waterproof. In most cases, this will prevent leaks and keep water from seeping through. To prevent standing water or pooling, you may want to install the awning at a slight angle to help water roll off the fabric. Some awnings are peaked or pitched, which naturally discourages water pooling. Other awnings should be rolled up, lowered or retracted during rain, especially heavy rain.

Q: How should I clean my retractable awning?
A: Each manufacturer has their own preferred cleaning instructions for each of their products, and you should find out the recommended method for your exact model. Cleaning your awning in a way or with solutions other than those recommended may void any warranties. This said, most awnings can be cleaned by brushing the dry fabric with a soft or medium bristled brush. For heavier dirt, you can usually safely use warm water with a mild detergent. Stains and heavy soiling may require special cleaning instructions from the manufacturer. Your awning may very well last longer if you clean it often and schedule preventative maintenance for moving parts that require service.

Q: Will I have to remove and store my new awning during winter or inclement weather?
A: Permanent awnings are normally made to withstand all types of weather, and usually do not need to be removed. Retractable awnings can almost always be left up year-round; however, you may want to close the awning during snowy conditions or strong storms. Refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for suggested care and storage.

Q: Should I invest in a motorized retractable awning, or is a crank awning just as useful?
A: Awnings will block sun just as effectively whether they are motorized or manual, but motorized awnings are more convenient. Motorized awnings immediately roll out or retract with the flip of a switch, while manual awnings need to be cranked and/or pulled in and out. The decision is yours, but think about your priorities and whether you’d use the awning more often if it was easier to open and close.