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Betterliving Awnings

Quality Is Built In

There are vast differences in awning design, engineering, and fabric quality. Betterliving® awnings are manufactured in the U.S. by CraftBilt Manufacturing Co. to the highest quality standards. We have earned the stringent European TUV certification that is only granted to retractable awnings of superior construction and performance. The following information points out just a few of the differences between Betterliving awnings and others.

The square bar you see at the bottom of this Betterliving® retractable awning helps to prevent twisting and sagging that causes accelerated wear on the mechanical components and can cause the fabric to roll up unevenly. Most awning manufacturers use aluminum square bars or have none at all. Betterliving uses galvanized steel for improved stability and durability.

This photo shows the shoulder where the awning arm attaches to the base of the awning at the house. There is a tremendous amount of stress on this joint because it supports the entire weight of the arms, front bar and fabric. As is common with many retractable awnings, this awning has only one bolt supporting all this weight. Betterliving® uses three bolts and then covers the connection with a vinyl cap.

Betterliving shoulder

with three bolts     

Awnings arms have springs inside that are designed to keep tension on the front bar, essentially pushing it away from the house so the fabric stays tight. Most retractable awnings use a single spring in smaller sizes and a double spring in larger sizes. Betterliving® uses double or triple springs, providing more tension. You get a tighter fabric with a higher quality appearance. 

Betterliving arm     

Competitor's arm with single spring                                                                                                                                                  with  triple springs

Some retractable awnings are designed in a way that requires a roller or plastic guide so the fabric rolls up properly. As you see from this photo, these systems can leave rub and wear marks on the fabric. Betterliving® awnings are designed so the fabric will not rub anything. With our optional tray and hood, the fabric is protected from dirt and the sun's UV rays.

               Note wear marks from roller guide

Betterliving® awnings have a baked on enamel and powder coated finishes similar to your kitchen appliances. Many awnings use a simple spray paint that can chip and peel over time as shown on the left photo.

                  Betterlivng Finish  is designed to last    

                Spray paint finish after only 3 years.

Fabrics are cut using a high-tech ultrasound cutter that eliminates the fraying produced by knife cutters and the brittle ends produced by laser cutting.  Betterliving® offers solution dyed acrylic fabrics from Sunbrella® and other suppliers. Solution dyed means the color is in the thread and there to stay, not just dip-dyed or printed on the fabric. Acrylic awning fabrics are highly resistant to fading, mildew, and and UV light damage and do not have a clear coating applied over their surface. These clear coatings are prone to sun damage similar the cracking and peeling a plastic tablecloth left in the sun experiences. All Betterliving® awning fabrics are sewn

on computer operated machinery leaving a flat seam that does not pucker. Puckered seams will cause the seams to bunch up when the awning is rolled onto the tube, and can cause the fabric to stretch or the seams to fail. Betterliving seams are sewn with Gore® Tenara thread, made of 100% expanded PTFE, one of the most chemically resistant substances known! Seams are lock-stitched to prevent unraveling. You may choose from hundreds of fabric colors, patterns and 8 valance styles for your retractable awning.

These are just some of the differences that you will find between retractable awnings. There are many others.

Product Options

• Motor Drive: press a button and get shade

• Wind Detector: automatically retracts the awning if winds get too strong

• Sun Detector: awning extends when the sun comes up and retracts when the sun goes down

• Remote Control: It doesn't get any easier than this!

• Betterliving semi-cassette model with hood, and tray covers to conceal and protect fabric when retracted

• Light built into front bar

• Vario Valance shade rolls out of the front bar providing protection from low afternoon sun. Available in semi-transparent mesh or acrylic fabric to match the awning

Sizes

• Projections from 4'11" to 13'1"

• Widths from 7' to 40'.  Can be custom ordered to any length up to 40'.

Mounting Options

• Projections from 4'11" to 13'1"

• Widths from 7' to 40'.  Can be custom ordered to any length up to 40'.

Which Awning Do You Prefer?

                  Internet awning that you have to install                                                               Betterliving awning installed by professionals

                                With 5 year prorated warranty                                                               With lifetime / 12 year / 5 year non-prorated warranty

Sun when you want it.

Shade when you need it!