Care of Awning
Generally speaking, a good rule-of-thumb guide is: if you would be happy sitting outside, the awning would be safe to be wound-out. When the conditions are less favourable, wind the awning back in.
There is no standard test that an awning can be subjected to. The most important condition to consider is gusting wind. Wind can accelerate really quickly and it is the snap-change that can damage the awning. The awning itself is designed to move up and down but looking after it will give many more years of enjoyment.
If ground-lock support poles are provided, make sure that they are fitted at all times when the awning is out. These poles anchor the front rail very securely, making the whole structure much stronger. However, just because the poles are attached does not mean the awning can be left out in all weather conditions! Your awning still needs looking after and retracting back into the box when the weather turns inclement.
When retracting the awning, make sure that the support poles have been removed, especially if the awning is electrically operated. If the awning is operated with the support poles attached, this will put strain on the electric motor, damaging it and maybe shortening its life.
When the cover is wet, try, when possible, to retract it when it has dried out. If this is not possible, let the cover back out when the conditions allow and it is dry, so that the cover can dry naturally. If you wish to clean the cover, do NOT use soapy water on acrylic materials (you can on PVC material), the soap itself could go mouldy and make the cover unsightly. Instead, brush the cover very carefully (preferably bit by bit) and wash off the debris with clear clean water. The more regularly you clean the cover, the easier it will be to keep it clean. However, do NOT apply undue pressure to the cover or this will damage the material. The majority of the hardware is powder-coated and is easily cleaned with a mild soapy solution. Why not discuss the issue with your window cleaner and, if in doubt, give us a call.
The awning is designed to be fully wound out although it is possible to partially wind it out if preferred. However, if the weather conditions are poor, it would be better to not wind it out at all. It is designed to be rained on and the cover has been water and rot proofed. However, it is NOT a snow canopy and it is very important that the snow does not lay on the cover, otherwise the snow will damage the cover and put tremendous strain on the fittings and arms and make it dangerous.
Finally, if in doubt, don't wind it out. Subjecting your awning to poor weather conditions will risk its durability. It is a SUN-blind after all!