Awnings · Screens · Canopies · Repairs · Flags
Awning services in Portland, built under one roof
Rose City Awning & Flag is a Portland awning company that designs, sews, welds, letters and installs awnings from our shop on NW Nela Street, as we have since 1954. Here is everything we make, and how to choose.
Find your fit
Start with what you want it to do
Most people don’t call asking for a “lace-on welded frame.” They describe a problem. Find yours, and we’ll point you to the right build.
01Shade the deck in summer, open sky the rest of the yearBest fitRetractable awningMotorized or manual, with a wind sensor
02Keep using a covered patio into fall and winterBest fitMotorized drop or zip screensClose the sides against wind, rain and low sun
03Cut heat and glare through big windowsBest fitExterior solar screensMounted outside the glass, not inside
04Permanent cover over a door, window or walkwayBest fitWindow or door awning, or a canopyWelded, pipe-frame, rope pull-up or aluminum
05Put your name on the buildingBest fitStorefront awning with graphicsLettering and logos applied in our shop
06My awning is faded, torn or stuckBest fitRecover or repairNew fabric on a sound frame, or a motor fix
Not on the list? Describe it on the phone or send a few photos. That’s how most of our projects begin.
See an awning on your own home
Our free Awning Studio puts a Tempotest awning on a photo of your house in under a minute. Send the preview to the shop for an estimate.
- 1Upload a photo
- 2Pick a style & fabric
- 3Compare before & after
Fabric Studio
Try it with a photo of your home
Start with a photo of the wall you want to shade. Pick a style and a Tempotest fabric, and see it on your building in under a minute.
Your photo will appear here.
Add a photo of your building
- Stand back and shoot straight on.
- Get the whole wall in the frame, roofline to ground.
- Daylight works best. Skip the flash.
Your photo is used only to create this preview and is deleted after 30 days unless you request an estimate.
Choose an awning style
Show us where it goes
Drag a box on your photo where the awning should hang. Drag the corners to size it. On a phone, pinch to zoom.
Choose a Tempotest fabric
Pick a fabric. You can see the real sample in our showroom.
Saved to compare
Here's your awning
Visualization only. Fabric colors on screen are approximate. See and handle real samples in our NW Nela St showroom before you choose.
Your saved previews
The whole range
Types of awnings we build, compared
Awnings come in two families: retractable ones that roll away when you don’t need them, and fixed ones that stay up year-round on a pipe, welded or metal frame. Screens, canopies, cabanas and shade sails cover the cases in between.
| Type | How it works | Best for | How we build it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retractable & roll-downOut when you want it, away when you don’t | |||
| Retractable awning | Fabric rolls out on folding arms and back into a hood or cassette | Decks and patios you want shaded only some of the time | SummerSpace systems, Somfy motors or manual, optional wind sensor |
| Motorized zip screen | Fabric drops from a slim headbox; edges zip into side tracks | Closing the open sides of a covered patio | SummerSpace FlexShade Zip XL, up to 25 ft wide |
| Exterior solar screen | Mesh shade mounted outside the window glass | Heat and glare on big, sunny windows | Custom-fit drop screens, manual or motorized |
| Fixed fabricUp all year on a frame we build | |||
| Pipe-frame awning | Galvanized pipe frame with a sewn fabric cover | Doors, windows and classic storefronts | Pipe cut and threaded to order; cover sewn in our shop |
| Rope pull-up awning | A fixed awning you can raise in winter and drop for summer shade | Windows where you want Portland’s winter light | Pipe frame with a rope-pull cover |
| Welded aluminum awning | A rigid welded frame, shaped and covered in fabric | Entryways, dome and concave shapes, permanent coverage | Welded in-house; staple-on or lace-on cover |
| MetalLow-maintenance and architectural | |||
| Aluminum awning | An all-metal awning that mounts to most exterior surfaces | Low-maintenance cover over doors, windows and porches | Many styles and colors, usually installed in a few hours |
| Bolt-on metal system | Architectural metal canopies, trellises and screens bolted to the façade | A clean, modern commercial line | Systems such as Tuscany Trellis and Seattle Canopy |
| Freestanding & tensionedCover for open spaces | |||
| Canopy | A stationary fabric roof on posts or a welded framework | Walkways, boat pull-ups, patios and rooftop decks | Frame and cover made to fit the space |
| Shade sail | Tensioned fabric stretched between anchor points | Patios, takeout windows and open areas | Made to fit the space |
| Open Air Cabana | Free-standing aluminum frame with a fabric roof and optional curtains | Pools, terraces and hospitality patios | SummerSpace Open Air Cabana |
Authorized line
we install
01For decks, patios and windows
Retractable awnings
A retractable awning attaches to the outside of your home, opens when you want shade and retracts when you don’t. Even with no one outside, that shade keeps sun off your windows and helps cool the rooms behind them. Add a remote, or a wind sensor that pulls it in for you.
We carry one retractable line, SummerSpace, because its awnings extend on a stainless steel chain instead of the glued rubber belts that fail in budget awnings.
Why chain drive matters in Portland- Chain driveStainless steel
- SomfyMotor or manual
- Wind sensorRetracts in gusts
The lineup we install
Six SummerSpace retractable models, from window awnings to full cassettes. Each links to the manufacturer’s specs; we’ll help you choose on our retractable awnings page or at the showroom.
02For patios, porches, windows and restaurants
Motorized screens and exterior solar screens
Drop and zip screens close off the open sides of a patio or porch against sun, wind, rain and bugs, then roll up into a slim headbox. Solar screens on the outside of a window block heat and glare while keeping the view.
- Up to 25 ft wide
FlexShade Zip XL (opens in a new tab)
Zip edges, a 5-inch headbox and no sag or curl.
- Side channels or cables
FlexShade Non-Zip (opens in a new tab)
Shade and privacy in light breezes.
- Horizontal or angled
FlexShade Tension Zip (opens in a new tab)
Shade for skylights and pergolas.
- Windows and porch openings
Futureguard Vivista (opens in a new tab)
Acrylic awning fabric or 5% open mesh.
03For doors, windows, porches and storefronts
Fixed fabric window and door awnings
Stationary awnings stay up all year. We build the frame, sew the cover from Sunbrella or another proven awning fabric, and install it. Three ways to build one:
- 01
Welded aluminum frames
There’s nothing sturdier than a welded frame. We weld and shape aluminum into dome, concave, convex and other forms, then cover it staple-on (nearly thread-free) or lace-on (laced taut to the frame).
- Dome
- Concave
- Convex
- Staple-on or lace-on
Good for: entryways and year-round coverage
- 02
Pipe-frame awnings
The classic awning: a galvanized pipe frame, cut and threaded to the design, with a custom-sewn cover in the fabric you choose.
Good for: windows, doors and traditional storefronts
- 03
Rope pull-up awnings
Raise the cover in winter to let the light in and clean it off, then drop it back down for summer shade. Well suited to the Pacific Northwest.
Good for: windows where you want winter sun
05Canopies, cabanas & shade sails
Canopies, cabanas and shade sails
For a large open space, a long walkway, or something that needs protecting from the weather. Canopies stand on posts or a welded framework; cabanas and sails cover the spaces in between. Canopies, patio covers & shade sails
Walkways & patiosWalkway & patio canopies
Covered walkways, patios, BBQ areas and rooftop decks, framed to fit.
SummerSpaceOpen Air Cabanas (opens in a new tab)
SummerSpace’s free-standing cabanas: aluminum frame, fabric roof with a ventilating cupola, and optional corner curtains and privacy panels.
DocksBoat canopies
Fabric roofs over boat pull-ups and docks.
TensionedShade sails
Tensioned sails for patios and open areas, like this one over a takeout window.
06For businesses & property managers
Commercial awnings and in-house awning graphics
Storefront, restaurant and entrance awnings, retractables for patio seating, and motorized screens that extend your season. We build to your façade and keep your specs on file for the next recover.
Your logo and lettering are made and applied here, with no outsourcing, which keeps costs down and turnaround quick.
Your storefront next
Send a photo of the façade and your logo file. We’ll come back with layout ideas and a bid.
Request a commercial bid Commercial awnings- Machine
- SGS 100 graphics machine, built for awning and canopy fabric
- Film
- 3M™ Scotchcal™ ElectroCut™ graphic film, welded to Sunbrella
- Permits
- Portland’s awning standards are in City Code Chapter 32.52. We’ll tell you what applies.
Selected commercial work
Portland businesses and venues we’ve built for- ZaraWelded awning, graphics
- SephoraWelded awnings
- Applebee’sWelded awnings
- Papa HaydnStationary awnings
- Fairmount ApartmentsDoor awning, graphics
- Baldwin’s Wine ShopAwning
- Oregon Maritime MuseumCanopy
- Pancake HouseCanopy
- Mississippi StudiosMotorized retractables
- Millennium MusicMotorized retractables
- Providence ParkMotorized screens
- StormbreakersMotorized screens
- Immersive StudioMotorized screen
- Ezell’s & UltaCommercial awnings
07For awnings you already own
Awning repair, recovers and fabric replacement
A recover puts new fabric on a sound frame and makes most awnings and canopies look new. If we installed yours, we likely have the fabric specs and dimensions on file, so we can often recover it without taking it down to re-measure, even if you change the fabric.
- Recovers and awning fabric replacementIncluding hard-to-find patterns, located through the International Fabrics Association’s fabric database.
- Repairs, including other companies’ awningsMotors, limit switches and hardware on retractables and motorized shades.
- Logos, graphics and snap-on valancesAdd branding or an economical valance at the same time.
- Cleaning and maintenancePortland’s dust, dirt and mold are hard on fabric. Ask us about cleaning, or we’ll recommend a pressure-washing company.
Donald P.
Google review · replacement retractable fabric
“…they picked the color from a picture I sent them and with just a couple measurements they had a new cover sewn up and ready in no time.”
Also from the shop
Specialty fabric work
Every job is custom, but some are one of a kind. We work with builders, property owners and anyone who needs something out of the box: industrial curtains, tarps, court netting and commercial patio covers.
- Industrial curtains
- Tarps
- Court netting
- Commercial patio covers
Flags and flagpoles
Flags have been part of our name since the mid-1970s. Shop in the showroom on NW Nela or online.
- U.S. and Oregon flags
- State and military flags
- Indoor and outdoor flags
- Aluminum, steel and fiberglass flagpoles
10Before you hire anyone
How to choose an awning company in Portland
Whoever you call, ask these six questions. They separate a shop that builds and stands behind its awnings from one that only resells them. Here are our answers.
| Ask | Rose City Awning & Flag | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Q1Who makes the awning? | Covers are cut and sewn, frames welded and graphics applied in our NW Portland shop. | Every hand-off adds time, cost and someone else to call. |
| Q2Who installs it? | Our own crew. They set the limit switches and walk you through how it works. | The installer is who you’ll need if anything needs adjusting. |
| Q3What drives the retractable awning? | SummerSpace, with a stainless steel chain drive and Somfy motors. | Glued rubber belts are the failure we repair most on budget awnings. |
| Q4Can they repair it later, or someone else’s? | Yes: recovers, motors, limit switches and hardware, including awnings other companies installed. | Fabric and motors wear long before frames do. |
| Q5Will they check permits? | We tell you what applies to your address before you order. | Portland City Code 32.52 covers awnings; storefronts often need a permit. |
| Q6How long have they been around? | Since 1954, on NW Nela Street. Rated 4.9 from 74 Google reviews. | An awning lasts for years. You want the shop that built it to still be here. |
Systems and materials we work with
- SummerSpace
- Sunbrella
- Tempotest
- Somfy
- Awnex
- Bolander
- 3M Scotchcal
Straight answers from the shop
Questions about our services
How do I choose an awning company in Portland?
Ask who makes the awning, who installs it, what drives a retractable awning, whether they repair awnings later (including other companies’), whether they check permits, and how long they’ve been in business. Rose City Awning & Flag sews, welds and letters in its NW Portland shop, installs with its own crew, and has been in business since 1954.
Do you install the awnings you sell?
Yes. Our own crew installs every awning, screen and canopy we sell, sets the limit switches on motorized products, and walks you through how everything works.
What types of awnings does Rose City Awning & Flag install?
Rose City Awning & Flag builds and installs SummerSpace retractable awnings, motorized zip and drop screens, exterior solar screens, pipe-frame, rope pull-up and welded aluminum fabric awnings, aluminum and bolt-on metal awnings, canopies, shade sails and Open Air Cabanas, plus commercial awnings with graphics made in our shop.
What’s the difference between a retractable and a fixed awning?
A retractable awning rolls out on folding arms when you want shade and retracts when you don’t, so the deck gets open sky the rest of the time. A fixed awning stays up all year on a pipe, welded or metal frame, giving permanent cover over doors, windows and walkways.
Are exterior solar screens better than interior blinds?
For heat, yes. Screening on the outside of the glass is estimated to reduce heat about 85% better than the same shade mounted inside, because the sun is stopped before it reaches the window. Exterior screens also cut glare and UV fading while keeping your view.
Can you do awning fabric replacement on my existing awning?
Yes. A recover puts new fabric on a sound frame and makes most awnings look new. If Rose City Awning installed it, we likely have the dimensions and fabric specs on file. We can also track down hard-to-find patterns and add a logo or a snap-on valance.
Do you repair awnings another company installed?
Often, yes. We repair retractable awnings and motorized shades from other makers, including motors, limit switches and hardware. Send photos and the brand if you know it, and we’ll tell you whether a repair or a recover makes more sense.
Can you put our logo on an awning?
Yes. We make and apply awning graphics in our own shop with an SGS 100 graphics machine and 3M Scotchcal ElectroCut film welded to Sunbrella fabric. Nothing is outsourced, which keeps costs down and turnaround quick. Graphics can go on a new awning or a recover.
Do I need a permit for a commercial awning in Portland?
Often, especially for storefronts. Portland City Code Chapter 32.52 sets structural, clearance and maintenance standards for awnings, and attachments must meet the building code. We’ll tell you what applies to your project before you order.
Tell us what you’re trying to shade
Send a few photos and rough measurements. They’re often enough for a ballpark before anyone visits, and consultations are free.
Showroom: 2728 NW Nela St, Portland · Mon–Thu 7:00–5:30 · Fri–Sat by appointment · sales@rosecityawning.com