Outsunny 10' x 8' Retractable Awning, Patio Awnings, Sunshade Shelter w/Manual Crank Handle, UV & Water-Resistant Fabric and Aluminum Frame for Deck, Balcony, Yard, Beige

LOVE LOVE LOVE this awning! I bought a 10' one when it was on-sale because I couldn't afford it otherwise. My mistake was assuming it would be inexpensive to install!! NOT SO!! I kept getting crazy quotes near and Over (!) $1,000 to install it. I called Handymen and Contractors....some even wouldn't attempt it for fear of damaging the siding. I couldn't believe it. I was about to return and send it back because I could not afford that expense for installation. It is a small awning going on Hardy Plank...nothing fancy at all. The instructions did not look hard and there were not many pieces, but it would require 2 people. Then I found a GREAT handyman. He had installed a larger awning at his own home, so felt comfortable doing it. He only charged me $250.00. I was so happy I wanted to make him cookies and give him a beer!! I LOVE this awning. Works great and looks great!! The manual system works fine for me. Even in the rain, I keep it slightly extended a little, so I don't get rain right at my doorstep of my back door. Works perfectly!! I will roll it up if we have major winds expected. Also, it has helped to keep UV sun rays out of directly going into my den, which has kept my home cooler...a major thing if you live in the Gulf of Mexico coast where it is hot and humid. Thanks for putting this on-sale! UPDATE, almost 1 yr later, STILL LOVE this awning! No problems!Update now 1.5 yrs after install: I STILL love it! It has reduced the heat into my living room tremendously. Living in Houston, our summers (and now Spring & Fall) are brutal! The air conditioners can't keep up, nor your bank account running them! I bought the manual version to limit any potential breakdown. I do close it 90% when heavy rains are coming, which is no big deal because here we are on a daily watch for storms and flooding. The company is top notch!! Initially, because of my problems finding a reasonable installer, I wanted to return it way outside of the return policy and they graciously gave me more time to find someone, if not they'd take back. However, that kindness turned out perfect because 10 days later I found someone who installed it for a fraction of several quotes I had been given before. My only complaint is that I ordered a 10' for a 9' window area. If I did it over, I would order the 12', slightly bigger than what you think you need. One reason for that is the rain. Rain doesn't always fall straight down, so even though I may be covered above in a light rain, rain blows to the center where the door opens. A foot extension on both sides would solve that. I have absolutely no complaints with the product. Our humidity is high in rainy years. I can see where a small amount of mold is thinking about starting on the edge. But, I have to spray areas of my stone and siding house every 2 years as well. So I don't see this as an issue, but rather general home maintenance. Otherwise it still looks brand new! I don't know how long it will last but I would order a replacement in a heartbeat!!!

Overall, I am so far satisfied. With the understanding this is a sub $200 retractable awning, you get your money’s worth. The directions are precise and accurate (one exception, more details later in review). No problem following installation directions. Other buyers seem to have struggled with the installation instructions; It’s possible the company has updated the instruction manual since the other reviews were written. Works as advertised. Installation was easier than anticipated, only some minor, self-inflicted glitches. While the sturdiness of the arms seem questionable, I’ve had no issues with operation or any type of failures. I’ve only had it up a few weeks, and have only open and closed it maybe 20-30 times. Can’t attest to durability at this time.As for the instruction manual. As stated, it is precise and accurate. It does explain clearly how to assemble and install. I can understand why some may have trouble with the instructions, as they do lack detailed explanations. Proceed slowly, follow the directions step by step, study the diagrams closely, read ahead and understand what is going to be required and why, and it will make installation go smoothly and trouble free. There are 2 or 3 places where the wording is not clear, but common sense should overcome the few grammatical errors. Some suggestions on the areas which caused me confusion. Direction to roll canvas onto roller. Directions are accurate, but some of the close up images are reversed. Just follow the directions. There is a second picture showing direction of canvas onto roller in the ‘adjusting the awning’ [pitch angle]. If something about the directions don’t make sense, study it until it does. Again, the directions are highly accurate. Only one important step seemed to be missing from the instructions, and that was distance apart to mount brackets. When figuring this out for yourself, measure from center of actual canvas part of the awning, as the awning roller itself is offset onto the awning arms. You only have about an inch to play with when it comes to horizontal positioning of the awning into the right bracket. If you are trying to center the awning over an opening, line up center of canvas over center of the opening (unless you want to offset the canvas). Hint to help make sure roller and canvas is positioned correctly, if you are unsure. Roller has one end with square central nub (goes on left side of awning arms, if facing awning as shown in instructions) and round end (right side). Canvas should roll over the top, or counterclockwise if facing roller from the left (square nub) side.Minor issues. The manual states “Each awning comes with pre-set pitch/angle that is considered ideal”. Don’t believe them. I imagine those who had issues with damage to the extension arms or material roller issues might have not taken into account the awning pitch. Instructions stated make sure arms are installed level on the wall, which mine were. Upon first use, awning was not straight. One side was 2-3 inches lower than the other. I needed to adjust pitch on just one arm to correct this factory error. I had to open and close the awning a few times, loosening and retightening adjusting bolts, to make slight pitch adjustments after each operation, before finding the correct setting. The instructions did not show correct diagram explaining how to adjust pitch, but it is easy to figure out. Slightly loosen the appropriate bolt (the top one of the two) and adjust ‘Jack Bolt’ accordingly. If you can’t visualize how this is done, I’d suggest not playing around unless you understand the simple mechanics of the adjustment process. Adjusting incorrectly could probably cause problems and premature failure of the extension arm.Overall, I am happy with this product and plan on purchasing a second awning to install over my other sliding glass door.

It took me all day to set it up by myself, and I just can’t seem to get it to hang straight, even after trying all the troubleshooting tips in the instructions. I really think that for something as large and heavy as the 8'x10', it should have come with an extra mounting bracket for the middle section. The aluminum feels a bit flimsy to me, and the plastic pieces easily come off. I even accidentally dented the attachment bar just by tightening a bolt too much. I guess you get what you pay for. I also had to search online to figure out what kind of bolts I needed for installation since the instructions only talked about the brick anchors. I ended up buying different nuts and bolts to fit it to my roof's fascia, and I also needed a metric driver bit. On the bright side, I’m glad to have an affordable temporary solution, and it does look nice in red.