FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How long have you been in business?

Douglas L. Gibson Enterprises Inc. has been a family-owned small business since 1979. We have outlasted many other companies of our size by making smart business decisions and adapting to our clients needs. Throughout our 39+ years we have kept our model simple, provide a full-service remodeling experience and do the job right, or don’t do it at all. That’s why our motto is “Craftsmen Committed to Quality”; we take pride in every job we do and treat your home as if it were our own. While the remodeling division of D. L. Gibson Enterprises Inc. is predominantly “word of mouth”, our SunSetter Awning Authorized Dealership has grown to reach over 1,000 square miles of the Southeastern Pennsylvania region over 14+ years.

What is D. L. Gibson Enterprises Inc.’s relationship to SunSetter Awnings Co.?

Douglas L. Gibson Enterprises Inc. is an Authorized Dealer of SunSetter Awnings since 2005. Approached by SunSetter in 2004, Doug, President & CEO of D. L. Gibson Ent., took a year to familiarize with the awning business, products, value to the customer, longevity and quality-related issues, & its impact regarding his Customer’s remodeling needs. SunSetter Retractable Awnings, won the admiration of Doug as he began selling, installing, & servicing SunSetter Awnings exclusively. To date, Douglas L. Gibson Enterprises Inc. has installed over 900 SunSetter Awnings and services over 1,000 square miles in the Southeastern Pennsylvania/Greater Philadelphia region.

FIVE Reasons to Own a SunSetter Awning
from D. L. Gibson Enterprises Inc.

Five MORE Reasons to Own a SunSetter Awning
from D. L. Gibson Enterprises Inc.

Why Choose Douglas L. Gibson Enterprises Inc.
to be Your SunSetter Awning Authorized Dealer?

Why buy an awning from D. L. Gibson Enterprises Inc.?

As a customer of Douglas L. Gibson Enterprises Inc. you gain access to an exceptional level of craftsmen who provide excellent customer service  & peace of mind that your awning project will be seamlessly handled with skill and care. With over 900 awnings installed across the Southeastern Pennsylvania region and almost 40 years in the home remodeling business, you can be confident we know how to handle any unique situation your home may present. Whether you are purchasing a SunSetter Retractable Awning or a SunSetter EasyShade, you can rest assured that you have a fully-insured, reputable, honest, skillful, and family-owned local business by your side for the lifetime of your investment.

How is the awning attached to my house?

Your awning is attached using Hot-dipped, galvanized steel bolts & hardware which connects your SunSetter Retractable Awning onto your home’s structure. With D. L. Gibson Enterprises Inc. as your installer, rest assured your awning has a solid anchoring into your home without disturbing or damaging your siding or roofing. We also guarantee a seamless process which will prevent water infiltration from Mother Nature. D. L. Gibson Enterprises Inc. is equipped to handle all styles of home siding; including Vinyl, Aluminum, Asbestos or Masonry siding, Brick Facade, Cinder block, Stucco/Plaster, as well as most roofing materials for our Roof-Mounted systems. We ensure the same solid anchoring strategy for all installation procedures.

What materials are used to make my SunSetter Retractable Awning?

SunSetter Retractable Awnings are the #1 Best-Selling Retractable Awning in America. Their buying power within the industry allows SunSetter to use the highest-quality materials at very competitive prices due to their volume which instills a tremendous value in all SunSetter Products.

  • Every SunSetter Retractable Awning is constructed out of the highest quality aluminum on the market; Aircraft-Quality, High-Tensile Extruded Aluminum (HTE Aluminum), and finished with a Light Cream Powder-Coating which is electro-chemically bonded to the surface of all major structural awning components.
  • SunSetter fabrics are engineered using industry-leading techniques to outperform inferior products. Their woven acrylic fabrics are ultrasonically seam sealed which ensures a seam that is 7.5 times stronger than traditional stitching methods. Furthermore, these fabrics are 100% solution-dyed so their color penetrates throughout the acrylic fiber and promotes very strong fade resistance. Being 100% polymer-based, SunSetter woven acrylic fabrics are inherently mold and mildew resistant as compared to a traditional canvas awning and umbrella fabrics. Additionally, each woven acrylic fabric has a water repellent membrane sprayed on the topside and underside to promote additional hydrophobicity (water repellency).

 

How long will my awning last?

SunSetter Retractable Awnings are built to withstand the elements, they have been wind tunnel tested to withstand 55-75 mph winds, and will stand up to the harshest environments without rusting or the finished metal components’ paint blistering or chipping. While there is no official data collected as to the longevity of a SunSetter Retractable Awning, Douglas L. Gibson Enterprises Inc. has serviced awnings that are approaching 20 years old and have not seen any structural or superficial damage to any components. SunSetter Retractable Awnings are assembled and designed with longevity in mind using the highest-quality materials in the industry, and with Douglas L. Gibson Enterprises Inc. by your side throughout the lifetime of your investment, you can be assured your awning is capable of withstanding anything Mother Nature can unleash.

How long will my fabric last?

Factually speaking, SunSetter fabrics are guaranteed not to fade, crack, disintegrate, or rot for a period of 5-years (SunSetter Series woven acrylic & traditional laminated fabrics) or 10-years (Platinum Series Sunbrella woven acrylic) under proper/normal conditions of use.

SunSetter fabrics are engineered using industry-leading techniques to outperform inferior products. Their woven acrylic fabrics are ultrasonically seam sealed which ensures a seam that is 7.5 times stronger than traditional stitching methods. Furthermore, these fabrics are 100% solution-dyed so their color penetrates throughout the acrylic fiber and promotes very strong fade resistance. Being 100% polymer-based, SunSetter woven acrylic fabrics are inherently mold and mildew resistant as compared to a traditional canvas awning and umbrella fabrics. Additionally, each woven acrylic fabric has a water repellent membrane sprayed on the topside and underside to promote additional hydrophobicity (water repellency).

How should the awning be used in different weather conditions?

SunSetter Retractable Awnings are the industry leader when it comes to performance in harsh weather conditions. SunSetter products have been wind tunnel tested to withstand up to 75 mph winds (50 mph rating for Oasis free-standing awnings) , and we have known some customers who, only under certain circumstances, have used their awnings during substantial rain events without experiencing puddling or pooling of water on the fabric (not a recommended practice by D. L. Gibson nor SunSetter). However, for windy conditions, we recommend purchasing a Wireless Wind Sensor accessory. For overall year-round protection of your investment, we strongly recommend purchasing the Protective Aluminum Hood Assembly for either wall-mounted or roof-mounted applications.

As a general Rule of Thumb for weather conditions, if you would not be comfortable in the environment you are looking to subject your awning to, then your awning should not be used. In other words, we recommend that while these units could withstand extreme weather events, they should not be subjected to them regularly if at all.

SunSetter Awnings are made for the intended use of blocking the Sun and providing relief from harmful UVA and UVB rays. They are best enjoyed during hot, sunny days where the shade a SunSetter Awning provides can be up to 20 degrees cooler.

Do I need to do anything special for winter storage?

The answer to this question is relative to the type of awning you have and the features/accessories you have purchased. Generally, you should not have to perform any kind of maintenance for Winter storage as the units are built to withstand winter weather.

With that said, a better way to answer this frequently asked question is to lean on our experience with the instances and remedies our customers have faced over the years. Below are some recommendations that we make to our customers to ensure proper storage during wintertime based on particular environments and scenarios they have experienced.

  • It is always advised to use vigilance and common sense when operating your awning. Regardless of Winter storage or not, it is not recommended to operate your awning during a wintertime event (snowing, freezing, etc.), high winds, rain, etc. Our basic rule of thumb is, if you wouldn’t want to be outside, then your awning wouldn’t want to be outside either.
  • Winter Storage Remedy for windy environments: Occasionally customers have mentioned that their valance fabric, while the awning is closed, flaps in the wind and can become a nuisance. Our recommendation is to remove the valance fabric which can be done easily. If this is an issue for you, please give us a call and will gladly describe how to perform this remedy.
  • Winter Storage Remedy for motorized awnings: In the past we have recommended to customers with motorized awnings to either unplug the unit for the wintertime or deactivate/”trip” the breaker/GFCI outlet that powers your awning. The purpose for doing this is to ensure you do not inadvertently open your awning when the weather is at its harshest. This remedy will truly “store” your awning because there will be no power to the unit.
  • Winter Storage Remedy for awnings without the Aluminum Hood Assembly: for customers who have not purchased the SunSetter Protective Aluminum Hood Assembly for their awning we recommend having Douglas L. Gibson Enterprises order and  install the SunSetter Awning Cover. The Awning Cover is a tarping system made of SunSetter’s Traditional Laminated fabric (Color: Cream), and is intended to be used for storage purposes only. The cover must be manually installed around the awning fabric roller bar and secured using the provided tie downs. This cover will achieve similar protective qualities to your awning fabric from built up snow and ice during the Winter months.
I have purchased a hand crank awning. Can I convert it to a motorized unit?

Yes you can, so long as you have purchased a SunSetter Vista Retractable Awning!

With the purchase of a Vista Upgrade Kit from Douglas L. Gibson Enterprises Inc. we can install a motor into your existing SunSetter Vista Retractable Awning and enjoy the push button ease of a motorized retractable awning without having to purchase a completely new unit.

From our 15 year experience selling, maintaining, & servicing SunSetter Retractable Awnings, we have noticed that many SunSetter Vista customers find a tremendous value to upgrading their awning to a motorized unit to enjoy a longer lifetime on their investment.

How does a SunSetter Awning stack up against its competition?

SunSetter Awnings are America’s #1 BEST Selling Retractable Awning Manufacturer. Based in Malden, Massachusetts, SunSetter Awnings are made in the USA and constructed out of the highest quality materials available to consumers. SunSetter Awning Co. is also the largest retractable awning manufacturer in America with over 750,000 customers nationwide; this allows their product to be constructed out of the highest quality materials at an ultra competitive price.

The SunSetter Awning frame is constructed from Aircraft-quality, High-tensile, Extruded Aluminum and finished in a Light Cream, Powder-coated enamel. These materials are the highest quality available in the consumer market and make a SunSetter Awning a tremendous value investment for any homeowner.

SunSetter Awning Fabric is manufactured by Glen Raven Inc. (parent company to Sunbrella fabrics), and utilize industry leading techniques to ensure your awning fabric will not fade, crack, disintegrate, or rot for many years to come. Furthermore, all SunSetter Woven Acrylic fabrics are Ultrasonically Seam Sealed which eliminates the use of traditional stitching methods, and ensures a 7.5 times stronger seam.

 

Douglas L. Gibson Enterprises Inc. exclusively sells, maintains, and services SunSetter Products.

Why? Frankly, because they are the BEST!

What’s the Warranty on a SunSetter Awning?

Douglas L. Gibson Enterprises Inc. includes, with every awning package purchase, SunSetter Awning Co.’s All-Weather Limited Warranty, The SunSetter All-Weather Limited Warranty ensures that should your awning become defective for any reason, SunSetter will replace the defective part at 100% of the cost for replacement parts. The “All-Weather” Warranty portion denotes that your awning is covered from any damage incurred, regardless of how the awning has been damaged, for the term of warranty purchased. Acts of God including but not limited to rain damage, wind damage, snow damage, etc. are all covered under this warranty from SunSetter Products, and the replacement part cost is covered for the term of the warranty. With regard to replacing your fabric, or purchasing a backup set of fabrics for your awning, SunSetter gives you the option to purchase replacement fabric sets at an extremely discounted price (appx. 50% or greater off reg. price) for the term of each All-Weather Warranty (5 years or 10 years). This benefit is strongly recommended to exercise before your warranty term expires!

Items that are not covered under SunSetter’s “All-Weather” Warranty are any shipping charges on replacement parts after one year of ownership and labor services by your installer. However, as a Douglas L. Gibson Enterprises Inc. Awning Customer, your awning is covered for the first year’s labor for any warranty-related service, and 60 days of free maintenance and adjustments. We call this The Douglas L. Gibson Enterprises Inc. Full Service Promise and it comes standard on any awning package purchased through Douglas L. Gibson Enterprises Inc purchased from 2018 to present. Additionally included in our Full Service Promise is a Customer Loyalty Discount which provides our awning customers with an extra discount on any Tune-up/Maintenance Packages for the lifetime of your awning (Clarification: “awning customer” denotes any customer who has purchased a D. L. Gibson Ent. Awning Package which includes the Full Service Promise.)

  

How is a SunSetter Awning Made?
a Factory Tour from Malden, Ma

SunSetter Awning Customer Testimonials
Why Buy a SunSetter Awning?

Life is Better,
Under a SunSetter Awning

Douglas L. Gibson Ent. SunSetter Customer Movie (circa 2016)

View some of the SunSetter Awning Projects we have performed

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