Mar 26 2008
Many homeowners spend more of the summertime outside than they do inside -- and as a result, decks and patios have become extensions of the home like never before. Once little more than postage-stamp-sized areas for a barbecue, outdoor living spaces have grown in size and evolved to include plush furniture, fireplaces, bars, hot tubs, and even complete kitchens. With outdoor living, however, comes an increased threat of UV exposure and the interruptions of wet weather ... that is, until now.
ShadeFX Canopies Inc. have introduced a new way to cover decks, patios and docks. Offering protection from sun and rain, the retractable ShadeFX Canopy can cover a space up to 16 feet wide and 30 feet long. It mounts to an overhead frame, including beautiful pergola structures that have become more popular than ever. Its patent-pending monorail drive won't jam or bind, even after years of exposure to the weather. And best of all, because it uses a frame, the ShadeFX Canopy is strong enough to be left extended in the wind and the rain. Traditional retractable awnings are limited to projecting only 13 feet from the house and cannot be relied on to withstand wind and rain.
"ShadeFX Canopies offer UV and weather protection while making the deck, patio or dock comfortable and private all summer long," stated Steve Ostrowski, ShadeFX Canopies sales and marketing director. "ShadeFX was designed to provide best-in-class performance. No other retractable canopy offers the same combination of large coverage areas, wind and rain resistance, and the ability to mount and operate reliably on an aesthetically pleasing and affordable wood pergola frame."
Available with a motorized remote-control drive or manual draw cord operation, ShadeFX comes with a 12-year mechanical warranty. Its unique monorail drive system mounts to the underside of any overhead frame including pergola rafters, with no need for alignment with any other guides or frame rails. This eliminates the possibility of the drive jamming if the frame or pergola warps or twists with age. Ostrowski and his team designed the canopy with top-quality aluminum and stainless construction, Sunbrella fabrics, Somfy compact outdoor-rated motors, and the convenience of a cut-to-order custom fit for each kit shipped. Consumers can purchase ShadeFX in any width up to 16 feet, and any length up to 30 feet, in quarter-inch increments.
"ShadeFX Canopies represent a big step toward a green and sustainable home," said Ostrowski. "Our canopies will reduce solar loading by up to 70 percent in the summer, while allowing the sun to help heat the home in the winter when retracted. In the meantime, homeowners can enjoy more of the great outdoors in any season."