Replies

1. 
   frammer52 | Dec 08, 2009 12:15am | #1

   My experience, I have one, is that retractable awnings are made for keeping the sun out, not snow, rain or wind.

2. 
   xxPaulCPxx | Dec 09, 2009 05:30pm | #2

   So you are proposing to shoot the awning straight down to act as a screen over the carport entrance, instead of out to act as shade.

   The problem I see is without the arms that hold the thing out away from the house, the sides and bottom will be allowed to flap in the wind.

3. 
   k1c | Dec 24, 2009 03:21pm | #3

   Thank you for all replies. I can't find prior replies so I will post my anwser this way. I will try making my own, although I have one question. If I make the axle with 4" and 3" schedule 40 pvc, one sliding into the other, would this axle be stiff enough to hold 18'x10' heavy canvas without bending in the middle? Again, thank you in advance.

1. 
   MarkH | Dec 25, 2009 08:39am | #4

   I think it would work, but expect some slight sagging.

2. 
   DanH | Dec 25, 2009 09:11am | #5

   In the 10 foot direction. Would sag badly at 18 feet.

4. 
   restorationday | Dec 25, 2009 10:01am | #6

   http://forums.finehomebuilding.com/comment/2056236#comment-2056236

5. 
   restorationday | Dec 25, 2009 10:04am | #7

   What you need is something that is like a retractable video screen. It would be fairly easy to make one. Have an independent awning dealer or sign company make you a sheet of heavy canvas that will span the opening and is a foot or two taller. Sew sleeves into the top and bottom. At the bottom you slide a piece of galvanized pipe through. Attach the top to a drum the length of the sheet that is connected to a motor with limit switches. Connect all that to your switch of choice (remote, wall switch, etc). If the opening is exposed to wind you could run the pipe long and make a track for it to run in on the sides of the opening.

   If the length is too much for one drum to span you could make two drums on one shaft and be supported in the middle.

1. 
   DanH | Dec 25, 2009 01:03pm | #8

   Don't need a roller -- rope
   Don't need a roller -- rope and pulley would work fine.

1. 
   restorationday | Dec 26, 2009 07:41am | #9

   My reasoning behind the motorized roller is that his parents might be getting older and rolling up a wet/frozen canvas might not be that easy for them.

1. 
   frammer52 | Dec 26, 2009 09:27am | #10

   As a person who has one and installed several, the directions indicate you are not to use a retractable awning, except on sunny, non windy days.

   The frame is not made strong enough, and attachments are not strong enough for anything other than sun control, sorry guys!

1. 
   k1c | Dec 29, 2009 09:49am | #11

   Thank you all for replies. The question has become moot. My parents have changed their mind. They'll live with just covering the back of the cars then attaching things to the facade.

   But the ideas I'll keep and again thank you.