SunSetter Awnings: Who Makes Them, What They Sell and Who They Suit
Quick answer
SunSetter is a Massachusetts-based maker of retractable patio awnings, founded in 1988 and owned since 2016 by Springs Window Fashions. It sells standard-width manual and motorized lateral-arm awnings, mostly direct to homeowners, with DIY or dealer installation and Somfy motors on motorized models. It suits standard patios and decks on a mid-range budget; buyers needing custom sizes or very exposed sites should compare dealer brands.
SunSetter is one of the best-known direct-to-consumer retractable awning brands in the United States. The company was founded in 1988, is headquartered in Malden, Massachusetts, and was acquired by Springs Window Fashions in January 2016. It makes manual and motorized lateral-arm patio awnings in standard widths, plus a freestanding awning and exterior screens and shades, and sells mostly directly to homeowners, with installation either DIY or through authorized local dealers. In market terms it sits in the middle tier: above budget online brands in support and fabric options, below custom dealer-built brands in sizing flexibility and frame specification.
This is a brand profile, not a product review. It summarizes what the company publicly states about its range and warranty, and explains what to check before you buy. Confirm current models, sizes and warranty terms with SunSetter directly, because product lines change. For how SunSetter fits among other brands, see best retractable awning brands.
Company background
- Founded: 1988.
- Headquarters: Malden, Massachusetts.
- Ownership: acquired by Springs Window Fashions, a US window coverings manufacturer, in a transaction that closed in January 2016. SunSetter continues to operate under its own brand.
- Market position: a direct-to-consumer brand known for national advertising, with products sold mainly through its own channels and also through some third-party retailers.
Product range in general terms
SunSetter focuses on retractable lateral-arm awnings for decks and patios. Lines change over time, but the range has included:
| Family | What it is | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| SunSetter Series | Core manual and motorized retractable lateral-arm awnings | Widths offered from 8 ft to 20 ft; woven acrylic or laminated waterproof fabric |
| Motorized XL | Larger-coverage motorized model | Intended for deeper or wider shade than the core line |
| Platinum Series | Upper-tier awnings | Sunbrella fabric option, optional aluminum hood, stainless steel chain arm system, longer warranty |
| Pro awning with drop screen | Retractable awning with an integrated drop screen | Adds low-angle sun and privacy control |
| Oasis freestanding awning | Freestanding retractable frame | For spaces without a suitable wall |
| EasyScreen and EasyShade | Exterior screens and solar shades | Separate from the awning lines |
Motors and controls
SunSetter states that its motorized awnings use built-in Somfy motors with a handheld remote and a manual override for power outages. Optional accessories have included a wireless wind sensor, a wireless wall switch and Somfy smart-home control. Because the motor is Somfy, the general Somfy programming and sensor guidance applies, which is useful when troubleshooting; see awning remote not working and awning wind and sun sensors. Motorized models plug into a grounded outlet with a cord, so plan for an outdoor-rated GFCI receptacle near the motor end, or an electrician if you prefer it hardwired.
Fabric options
The core line offers a woven acrylic fabric (water resistant, breathable) and a laminated fabric marketed as waterproof. The Platinum line adds Sunbrella, a solution-dyed acrylic. These are meaningfully different choices:
- Woven acrylic breathes, so it runs cooler underneath and dries quickly, but it sheds rather than stops water.
- Laminated fabric stops water but traps more heat and still must not be left extended in heavy rain, because water ponds on any retractable awning with too little pitch.
- Sunbrella is a widely used solution-dyed acrylic with a 10-year limited fabric warranty from its maker.
For a fuller comparison, see acrylic vs polyester vs vinyl awning fabric.
How it is sold and installed
SunSetter sells primarily direct: you choose a width, projection, fabric and options, and the awning ships to you. You then have two paths. You can install it yourself, which the company describes as a job of a few hours with included instructions and two or more people, or use an authorized dealer for installation. SunSetter lists mounting on wood, brick, stucco, aluminum and vinyl siding, as well as on eaves or overhangs with appropriate brackets.
The weak point in any DIY installation is the structure behind the wall, not the awning. A lateral-arm awning puts large pull-out forces on its brackets. Each bracket must land in solid framing (a rim joist, header or blocking) or be anchored properly in masonry. On vinyl siding, brackets need mounting blocks so they do not crush the siding; see mounting an awning on vinyl siding and mounting awnings on brick, siding and stucco.
Warranty structure
SunSetter publishes different warranty lengths by line. At the time of writing, the company describes a 5-year limited warranty on the core SunSetter Series and a 10-year limited warranty on the Platinum Series, with an optional extended "All-Weather" warranty upgrade offered on some models. As with any awning warranty, read what is covered (frame, fabric, motor and labor are often treated differently), what voids it (incorrect installation, wind damage when left extended), and how claims are handled if you installed it yourself. General guidance is in awning warranties. Confirm current terms with SunSetter before you buy.
Cost context
As a direct-to-consumer brand, SunSetter falls in the typical US range for that tier: roughly $600 to $2,500 for a manual retractable unit around 12 x 10 ft, with motorized versions, premium fabric and hoods adding to that. Installation by a dealer or contractor typically adds $300 to $1,500, and an electrician for a new outdoor outlet can add $200 to $800. Prices vary by size, options and promotions, so treat any figure as a starting point. The awning cost calculator lets you model your own size and options.
Worked example
A homeowner compares two ways of getting a motorized 16 ft wide direct-to-consumer awning onto a stucco wall. Path A: the unit at an assumed $2,800, DIY installation with a rented hammer drill and masonry anchors ($80), and an electrician to add a GFCI outlet near the motor ($350): total $3,230. Path B: the same unit plus dealer installation at an assumed $900, and the electrician at $350: total $4,050. The $820 difference buys correct anchoring into the stucco substrate, a crew to lift a long, heavy box, and an installer accountable if the brackets fail. On a single-storey wood-framed wall, DIY is more reasonable; on stucco, a second storey or a soffit mount, the dealer path is often worth it. These are illustrative figures, not quotes.
What to check before buying
- Measure the usable wall width and the height above the deck or patio; the awning needs clearance for the arms and pitch. Use the awning size planner.
- Decide on projection by what you want shaded, not the largest number. The shade calculator shows how far shade actually reaches at your latitude and time of day.
- Confirm what is behind the wall where each bracket will go.
- Choose fabric on climate: breathable acrylic for heat, laminated if you need light rain protection at a steep pitch.
- For motorized models, plan the outlet location and consider a wind sensor if you will be away.
- Read the warranty for your exact line, including how DIY installation is treated.
- Check the wind guidance in the owner's manual; most retractable fabric awnings should be retracted in sustained winds of roughly 20 to 25 mph or less.
Who SunSetter suits, and who should look elsewhere
Good fit: homeowners with a standard deck or patio, a wall that fits a stock width between 8 and 20 ft, and a preference for a known national brand with a choice between DIY and dealer installation. Buyers who want Somfy motorization without going through a custom dealer will also find it straightforward.
Look elsewhere if: you need a width or projection outside the standard sizes, a full cassette housing, a large coupled awning, a very exposed coastal or high-wind site, or a broad custom fabric library. Dealer brands built to order, such as Marygrove or KE Durasol, are designed for those cases. If price is the overriding factor, budget brands such as Aleko and Outsunny cost less, with trade-offs in frame, fabric and warranty.
Alternatives in the same tier
The closest direct-to-consumer alternative is Advaning, which also sells standard-size manual and motorized retractable awnings online, with several series at different warranty levels. When comparing, line up frame material and arm design, fabric type and source, motor brand, width and projection options, warranty by component, and installation support.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns SunSetter awnings?
SunSetter was founded in 1988 and is based in Malden, Massachusetts. Springs Window Fashions, a US window coverings manufacturer, acquired the company in a transaction that closed in January 2016. SunSetter continues to sell under its own brand name, primarily direct to homeowners, with installation available through authorized dealers.
What motor do SunSetter motorized awnings use?
SunSetter states that its motorized awnings use built-in Somfy motors operated by a remote control, with a manual override for use during a power outage. Optional accessories have included a wireless wind sensor, a wireless wall switch and Somfy smart-home control. Confirm the exact motor and remote supplied with the model you are considering, since accessories depend on the motor's protocol.
Can I install a SunSetter awning myself?
Yes. SunSetter offers its awnings for DIY installation with included instructions and also offers installation through authorized dealers. DIY works best on a single-storey wall with solid framing behind the brackets. Masonry, stucco, second-storey or roof and soffit mounts usually justify professional installation because bracket anchoring determines how the awning handles wind loads.
What warranty does SunSetter offer?
SunSetter describes a 5-year limited warranty on its core SunSetter Series and a 10-year limited warranty on its Platinum Series, with an optional extended warranty on some models. Coverage differs between frame, fabric and motor, and wind damage when extended is generally excluded. Always read the current terms for your specific model before buying.
Is SunSetter a good choice for windy areas?
Any retractable fabric awning, SunSetter included, is a shade device that should be retracted in strong wind, typically by sustained winds of about 20 to 25 mph or the limit in the owner's manual. For windy sites, pair a motorized model with a wind sensor and retract it when you leave. Very exposed sites may be better served by a dealer-built awning or a fixed structure.
Sources and further reading
- SunSetter Products: product pages for motorized and Platinum awnings, including warranty and installation information
- Springs Window Fashions: press release, "Springs Window Fashions, LLC acquires SunSetter LP" (January 2016)
- Somfy: motorized awning controls and sensors
- Glen Raven: Sunbrella fabric warranty information
- European Committee for Standardization, EN 13561: External blinds and awnings, performance requirements including safety
How we write our guides: figures are typical US ranges checked against manufacturer documentation, published standards and installer pricing. Read our editorial standards. Spotted an error or outdated detail? Request a correction.