Retractable awnings for Portland decks and patios
Shade when you want it, open sky when you don’t. We size, install and service SummerSpace retractable awnings, motorized with Somfy controls or run by hand, from our shop on NW Nela Street.
What is a retractable awning?
A retractable awning is a fabric awning on folding arms that extends from your house to shade a deck, patio or window, then rolls back into a hood or cassette when you don’t need it. Motorized versions run from a remote or switch; a wind sensor can retract one automatically when gusts pick up.
- Brand
- SummerSpace
- Drive
- Stainless steel chain
- Controls
- Somfy motor and remote, or manual
- Options
- Wind sensor, remote control
- Fabric
- Sunbrella or Tempotest
- Installed by
- Our own crew
Inside the awning
Anatomy of a SummerSpace retractable awning
The parts that decide how an awning looks, how long it lasts and how it handles a Portland afternoon. Hover a part to find it in the photo.
Hood or cassette
Wraps the rolled fabric when it’s retracted. Full-cassette models all but disappear into the house.
Roller tube, chain drive and motor
A stainless steel chain turns the roller, driven by a Somfy motor or a hand crank.
Folding arms
Articulating shoulders set the pitch so rain runs off and the shade lands where you sit.
Front bar
Closes tight against the hood to protect the fabric when the awning is in.
Awning fabric
Sunbrella or Tempotest, in solids and stripes you can see in our showroom.
Wind sensor
Retracts a motorized awning on its own when the wind picks up.
Awning builder
Build your retractable awning
Pick what matters to you and send the summary to the shop. We’ll confirm sizing, fabric and mounting on a site visit.
SummerSpace retractable awning models we install
Six models cover most Portland homes, from a single window to a full deck. They’re grouped below by how the awning closes; each name links to the maker’s product page.
| Housing | Model | What stands out | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Semi-cassetteA hood covers the rolled fabric | Performance 250 (opens in a new tab) | Commercial grade; articulating shoulders for easy pitch control; drop-forged components; wrap-around hood and front bar | Decks and patios that see heavy use |
| Pro Series 97 (opens in a new tab) | Covers the whole fabric roll when retracted; wall and roof mounts | Exposed spots where fabric needs protecting | |
| Full cassetteHides away completely | Series K300 (opens in a new tab) | Closes into a sleek cassette that virtually disappears into the house | Modern homes where a clean line matters |
| Open rollThe classic open roller | Traditional 87 (opens in a new tab) | Powder-coated frame; flex-pitch shoulder to set the angle | Patios where you want to tune the angle |
| Traditional 77 (opens in a new tab) | Classic open-roll patio awning | Patios where a traditional look fits | |
| Window awningShades the glass | Robusta (opens in a new tab) | Retractable window awning; motorized or manual gear operation | Windows that take afternoon sun |
Stainless steel chain drive vs. rubber belt drive
Inside every retractable awning, something has to turn the roller. Every SummerSpace awning we install uses a stainless steel roller chain. Many budget and big-box awnings use a rubber belt glued in place.
| Feature | SummerSpace steel chain | Rubber belt |
|---|---|---|
| Drive material | Stainless steel roller chain on sprockets | Rubber belt held with adhesive |
| How it fails | Essentially doesn’t under normal use | Glue lets go, belt stretches and slips |
| Wet–dry cycles | Corrosion-proof and UV-stable | Moisture and heat break down adhesive |
| Lifespan in the PNW | 15–20+ years | 3–7 years typical |
“At Rose City Awning, we carry Summerspace because it’s built right.”
“We had a challenging situation: high elevation and lots of wind while trying to protect our view… designed an awning that did the job.”Mark J., Google review
Retractable awnings and Portland weather
Rain, wind and freezing nights followed by 80-degree days. Here’s how a retractable awning copes.
Can a retractable awning stay out in the rain?
In light rain, yes. The fabric is water-resistant and the arms set a pitch that sheds water. Retract it in heavy rain or wind. For cover all year, a fixed awning, canopy or screened enclosure is the better tool.
What does a wind sensor do?
It retracts a motorized awning on its own when gusts pick up, so a stormy afternoon doesn’t turn into a repair. On exposed sites we design around the wind from the start.
Do I need to take it down for winter?
No. Retract it into its hood or cassette when it’s not in use. Semi- and full-cassette models protect the rolled fabric from rain and sun, which helps it last longer.
How much does a retractable awning cost?
It depends on size and options. A retractable awning’s price is set mainly by its width and projection, the housing, motorized or manual operation, a wind sensor, the mounting surface and the fabric. We quote each one after a free consultation, and photos often get you a ballpark first.
For a ballpark, send us
- Photos of the wall and the area to shade
- Rough width and how far out you want it
- Which way it faces
| Line item | What decides it | Decided by |
|---|---|---|
| Width and projection | How wide it runs and how far out it reaches | You, measured on site |
| Housing | Traditional open roll, semi-cassette or full cassette | You |
| Controls | Somfy motor and remote, or manual | You |
| Wind sensor | Retracts a motorized awning in a gust | Optional |
| Mounting | Wall or roof, and what the surface is made of | Checked on site |
| Fabric | Sunbrella or Tempotest, solid or stripe | You, in our showroom |
| Your price | Quoted after a free consultation | |
Reviews of our retractable awnings
“Now it is a living space we can use anytime and not a hot oven in the summer.”
“The shade it provides has significantly reduced the heat coming into our house, making our home much more comfortable.”
“They did a great job of educating us to the pros and cons of retractable awnings, gave us a great price, and the delivery and installation went like clock work.”
Retractable awning questions
Straight answers from the shop that sizes, installs and services them.
- Brand
- SummerSpace
- Drive
- Stainless steel chain
- Typical life
- 15 to 20+ years with a chain drive, in our experience
- Quote
- Free consultation
Don’t see your question? Call the shop at (503) 226-2761
What is the typical cost of a retractable awning in Portland?
It depends on width, projection, housing, motor or manual operation, sensors, mounting and fabric, so Rose City Awning & Flag quotes each awning after a free consultation. Send photos and rough measurements and we can often give you a ballpark before a site visit.
What retractable awning brand does Rose City Awning install?
SummerSpace is the only retractable line we carry. We chose it partly for its stainless steel chain drive, which avoids the glued rubber belts that commonly fail in budget awnings. Motors and controls are Somfy, and fabric is Sunbrella or Tempotest.
What are the downsides of a retractable awning?
A retractable awning isn’t meant to stay out in heavy rain or strong wind, so it should be retracted in a storm, or fitted with a wind sensor that retracts it for you. If you need cover every day of the year, a fixed awning, canopy or screened enclosure may fit better.
What are the common problems with retractable awnings?
On budget awnings, the rubber belt drive can slip or stretch as its adhesive breaks down, leaving the awning sagging or unable to extend evenly. Motors and limit switches can also need adjustment. Rose City Awning repairs these, including on awnings other companies installed.
How long does a retractable awning last in Portland?
With regular cleaning and the occasional adjustment, many years, and the fabric can be replaced when it wears. In our experience, SummerSpace awnings with stainless steel chain drives run 15 to 20 or more years in Portland’s climate; belt-drive budget awnings often run 3 to 7.
Should I get a motorized or manual retractable awning?
Motorized awnings run on a Somfy motor and remote and can take a wind sensor that retracts them automatically. Manual awnings use a hand crank and cost less. If you’ll open it often, or the deck is exposed to wind, motorized is usually worth it.
What is the difference between a semi-cassette and a full cassette awning?
A full cassette closes completely, hiding the fabric, arms and roller in a sleek box that all but disappears into the house. A semi-cassette has a hood that covers the rolled fabric from above. A traditional open-roll awning leaves the roll exposed. More enclosure means more protection for the fabric when it’s retracted.
Can a retractable awning be mounted on the roof?
It depends on the model and the house. The SummerSpace Pro Series 97 takes wall and roof mounts. We check the mounting surface on the site visit and recommend the model and mount that fit.
Are retractable awnings worth it in Portland?
For a deck or patio you use in summer, they usually are: you get shade when you want it and open sky or winter light when you don’t, and the awning rolls away for storms. Customers tell us it turns a hot deck into a room they use. Read our homeowner’s guide for the honest pros and cons.
How do I get a quote for a retractable awning in Portland?
Call the shop at (503) 226-2761 or send photos of the wall and the area to shade, with a rough width and how far out you want it. We can often give a ballpark from photos, then confirm sizing, fabric and mounting at a free consultation.
Get a retractable awning estimate
Send a few photos of the deck or patio and the wall above it. We’ll follow up with a ballpark and set up a site visit.
- Call
- (503) 226-2761
- Showroom
- 2728 NW Nela St, Portland
Send us your project
Photos and rough measurements are often enough for a ballpark.
