Do I need to do anything special for winter storage?

The answer to this question is relative to the type of awning you have and the features/accessories you have purchased. Generally, you should not have to perform any kind of maintenance for Winter storage as the units are built to withstand winter weather.

With that said, a better way to answer this frequently asked question is to lean on our experience with the instances and remedies our customers have faced over the years. Below are some recommendations that we make to our customers to ensure proper storage during wintertime based on particular environments and scenarios they have experienced.

• It is always advised to use vigilance and common sense when operating your awning. Regardless of Winter storage or not, it is not recommended to operate your awning during a wintertime event (snowing, freezing, etc.), high winds, rain, etc. Our basic rule of thumb is, if you wouldn’t want to be outside, then your awning wouldn’t want to be outside either.
• Winter Storage Remedy for windy environments: Occasionally customers have mentioned that their valance fabric, while the awning is closed, flaps in the wind and can become a nuisance. Our recommendation is to remove the valance fabric which can be done easily. If this is an issue for you, please give us a call and will gladly describe how to perform this remedy.
• Winter Storage Remedy for motorized awnings: In the past we have recommended to customers with motorized awnings to either unplug the unit for the wintertime or deactivate/”trip” the breaker/GFCI outlet that powers your awning. The purpose for doing this is to ensure you do not inadvertently open your awning when the weather is at its harshest. This remedy will truly “store” your awning because there will be no power to the unit.
• Winter Storage Remedy for awnings without the Aluminum Hood Assembly: for customers who have not purchased the SunSetter Protective Aluminum Hood Assembly for their awning we recommend having Douglas L. Gibson Enterprises order and  install the SunSetter Awning Cover. The Awning Cover is a tarping system made of SunSetter’s Traditional Laminated fabric (Color: Cream), and is intended to be used for storage purposes only. The cover must be manually installed around the awning fabric roller bar and secured using the provided tie downs. This cover will achieve similar protective qualities to your awning fabric from built up snow and ice during the Winter months.