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Retractable Awnings

More living space, increased flexibility, better value.

More and more, homeowners are looking for ways to expand their living space. One of the first places they turn to is their patio or deck.

While this outdoor area offers many advantages, it does have one big drawback—the BLAZING SUN! Between the hours of 10AM-5PM, the patio area is so hot, and virtually unusable.

To remedy this problem and extend their time outdoors, homeowners look to create shade. Some choose to add a permanent roof. Others opt for a single deck or patio umbrella. And a growing number of homeowners are turning to a third option- the retractable awning.

Q: What are the differences between a retractable awning and a patio or deck umbrella?

A: An umbrella shades a small area and must be operated manually. It also is highly susceptible to wind damage. An awning, on the other hand, is more durable and can be equipped with features such as remote controls and automatic wind sensors. Most importantly, an awning can cover a large area, giving you additional useable outdoor living space for entertaining, playing with the kids or relaxing.

Q: Why would I want a Solair® retractable awning versus a fixed frame awning or permanent roof?

A: Retractable awnings make more sense for homeowners who are looking to extend their living area, yet maintain flexibility. Thanks to its spring-loaded arms, an awning can be extended or retracted to the length you want, so you are in complete control to enjoy the sun or shade whenever you want. Permanent structures give you no flexibility or freedom.

Q: Does a Solair awning really make it cooler on my deck or patio?

A: YES! Your Solair® awning can reduce heat gain in your home by as much as 77% and can lower your indoor temperature by as much as 15 degrees. By lowering the temperature, you lower air conditioning usage and your energy bill.

Q: What kind of fabric is on a Solair awning?

A: Solair awnings use Sunbrella fabrics – the industry leader in durability and beauty. These high-grade materials have the color embedded in every fiber, ensuring that they won’t significantly fade over time.

Q: Does the fabric color I choose affect how hot it is under my awning?

A: While color choice has some slight impact, the fabric itself has the most impact on heating. Because the Sunbrella awning fabric is woven, air is allowed to circulate through the fabric instead of building up under the awning, which also keeps the temperature down.

Q: Does my Solair awning come with a warranty?

A: Of Course! We stand by our products with one of the most generous warranties in the industry. The Solair PS2000 comes with a 5 year warranty, while the Solair PS5000 offers a 10 year warranty. All Sunbrella fabrics have a 10 year warranty against any fading, staining or mildew.

Q: What happens when it rains?

A: Solair retractable awnings are designed to provide protection from the sun’s harsh rays. Your Solair awning can be used during light rains with proper unit pitch. In heavy rains or wind, your Solair awning must be retracted to keep water from “pooling” on the fabric and causing irreversible damage.

Q: How much wind can an awning handle?

A: Light winds of less than 5 mph should not harm your awning. To prevent wind damage, it’s best to retract the awning before wind speeds reach the point of causing the awning to sway side to side or up and down. You may want to consider a Solair model with an optional automatic wind sensor that automatically retracts the awning when stronger winds are detected.

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MOSQUITO MISTING SYSTEMS

Are Mosquitoes keeping you from enjoying one of the best parts of your home? Your Yard, It's your personal sanctuary, your refuge from the world. You've worked hard to create an environment that your family can enjoy. So, when you want to take in the pleasure of your own yard – landscaping or pets, patio or pool, fun with the kids or parties with adults – you deserve to do so in complete comfort, you shouldn't have to be at the mercy of annoying insects and their painful bites. Fortunately, you won't with Tuxedo Mosquito Control…. The revolutionary automatic insect mist system that effectively eliminates mosquitoes and other biting insects from your yard.

There has never been a more effective, convenient, method for preventing mosquito bites in your yard. Better still Tuxedo® Mosquito Control works automatically and is virtually maintenance free. You will never again have to spray your kids with messy repellents or remember to fog your yard before a cookout. The Tuxedo Mosquito Misting System sprays a very fine mist of botanical insecticide through nozzles installed around the perimeter of your yard. The mist settles on the grass and landscaping, killing and mosquito that comes in contact with it. The system is timed to mist 2 to 3 times a day, early in the morning and early in the evening when mosquitoes are most active and beneficial insects, like bees and butterflies are not. It also kills or repels other unwanted pest like spiders, flies and gnats.

How Does it Work?

PYRETHRUM IS THE MATERIAL WE USE!

Pyrethrum is a botanical insecticide produced primarily in the flowers of Tanacetum cinerariae folium, a species of the chrysanthemum plant family. Pyrethrum plants have historically been grown in commercial quantities in Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Papua New Guinea. Over the past decade, Tasmania and Uganda began producing pyrethrum. Today Kenya and Tasmania are the largest pyrethrum growing and
producing countries while Rwanda and Papua New Guinea have ceased production. In East Africa the mature pyrethrum flowers are picked by hand, sun dried to remove moisture, and sent to a processing plant for extraction of the active ingredient pyrethrins, a mixture of six closely related esters. In Tasmania the flowers have been bred to synchronously flower so they can be mechanically harvested. As in Africa, the flowers are sun dried and processed to produce the insecticide pyrethrum.

IMMEDIATE KNOCKDOWN EFFECT !

Because of its safety, pyrethrum has long been preferred for household and agricultural application. Recent research is revealing new power and new uses for this old and trusted insecticide. Combined with a synergist, pyrethrums are one of the fastest acting insecticides known. Even before it kills, it knocks down and paralyzes insects almost immediately. When it encounters pyrethrum, the insect is thrown into a state of nervous disorder. It runs from it's hiding place and scuttles around erratically, or adopts a confused flight pattern. Both responses show that the insect has lost all control of its central nervous system. This contact effect is called activation. Recent practice exploits the activation effect by adding small amounts of pyrethrum to a routine residual agricultural formulation.

SYSTEM CONTROLLER

The Controller is the brains of the Tuxedo Mosquito Control system. It activates the system based on input from the consumer or installer. The panel is housed in a weatherproof enclosure and features a digital display and easy to use buttons, through which the consumer can easily set, reset or confirm the timing and duration of the mist cycles. There is a backup battery to protect the settings if the power is interrupted and a panel door lock to control access. The Controller also provides tank level information to the user. A remote control is included with each system. It allows you to mist in between scheduled mists or even turn the system off from inside the house and up to 300 feet away

NOZZLE CIRCUIT

Our precision-engineered nozzles are installed around the perimeter of the area to be protected and connected with high pressure rated nylon tubing. The mist pattern is conical in shape and projects 8 – 10 feet from the nozzle tip. So, the nozzles are typically placed about 10 - 15 feet apart to ensure full coverage. The nozzles themselves have a high engineering content. The tips are made of a high quality metal and weather well. The orifice has been designed to yield a very fine droplet size at our operating pressure. Because pyrethrins breakdown in ultraviolet light, black, tan & white tubing is used where it will be exposed to sunlight. Clear tubing may be used when it is not directly exposed, for example under the eaves of the house or buried underground. The tubing also may be painted to match its background. The nozzles are connected to the tubing through push-to-connect fittings, which are highly machined pieces of precision hardware and are nickel plated for weather resistance.

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