When we lived in NH we built a passive solar home and had a motorized one made. We loved it.

Here is a link that might be useful: Sunnsetter

Hi Msmarion! Where in New Hampshire did you live? I moved from Nashua, NH to PA four years ago and still long for NH.

I am so glad you mentioned Sunsetter. My husband has 3 quotes on awnings, but was concerned that Sunsetters lowest price might mean lower quality. I will pass this info on to him.

Kim

This is funny...I just went shopping for awnings with my sil. They were a lot more expensive than I expected them to be.

We have shade cloth on the top of our deck...It is great for keeping the heat down...so I can easily believe that an awing would...

Hi Kim we lived right on Rt 102 in Raymond on the Chester line. I still miss it and would move back in a heart beat.

We never had problems with our awning or the motor etc. and were very happy with it. We had lots of friends to help DH do the install, but I just googled them and found this web site. Things must have changed.

Here is a link that might be useful: You might want to read these reviews

We've had our Sunsetter (manual) over our back patio for almost 2 yrs. LOVE IT! We NEEDED the shade in this brutal Houston sun. The fabric is holding up well (a little sun-bleached, but no tears) which was a big concern for us, since this intense Southern sun destroys fabrics.

We don't have one like that attached to the house. We have the old metal ones. However, We have had one kind or another of RV for the last 15 years. They have the same type you are looking at. On the camper we just traded in, the awning was 11 years old. The camper was exposed to the weather year round. Most of that time, the awning was rolled up, as the camper was not in use, except in the summer, mostly weekends. It lasted us up until the last storm came up real fast. We had been watching for it, as we had driven thru several on the trip. We put it down long enough to eat supper, with my Dad and DH watching the weather all around us, walking around with their plates. DH went in to start putting food away while we finished what was on our plates. On large gust of wind, and that sucker ripped right at the top! The frame falling to the ground. Just missed my Mom. Within two weeks, we had the new one, which we installed ourselves. The fabric was by carefree of colorado. Some kind of vinal. We were very pleased with it. With all the exposure it had had, we hadn't expected it to last that long. Hopefully, the one on the new motor home will last as long!

Just remember to NOT leave it up full time. When you are going away, make sure it is rolled up. If it looks like it's going to rain hard, roll it up, if the wind is going to blow, tie it down (special tie downs), but if it's going to blow hard or storm, roll it up.

A cousin in CA has a Sunsetter and love it. It is an older one, and no motor.

Tami

We've had our Sunsetter open for almost 2 yrs. (close it to clean it -- twice!) in the brutal sun and during storms, high winds (we have the wind clips), small hail. It's GREAT.

MsMarion - My son attended a small highschool in Candia, NH and had a friend that lived in Raymond. Small world.

Thanks to all the KT'ers who offered up their opinions on awnings. It is MUCH appreciated. We are going to look at the Sunsetter's for sure!

Our thought is to save money and forego the motorized option. Instead we will upgrade the arm crank and fabric.

I will post a pic once the choice and installation is done.

Kim

Hi Kim - I don't have any input on awnings, but I wanted to let you know that I live in Westford, MA, about 10 minutes from Nashua!

Suzieque

Kim, we got the Rainaway Arches & Deflappers with our Sunsetter. Don't know if that's helped it to keep it's shape, or not. We have had 60 mph winds & water chestnut-sized hail with it open & no problems with the fabric stretching out, so far.