Conference 7.286::home_work

    How about making a wood frame instead?
    
    You might also go to a plumbing supply house and see what kinds
    of iron pipe they sell.  I can't believe that the *ONLY* place
    you can get this special kind of pipe (if indeed it IS a special
    kind of pipe) is at companies that make awnings!  Let me check a
    catalog here....
    I find listed two kinds of iron pipe: "150 pound standard galvanized"
    and "300 pound extra heavy black".  This is a 1975 catalog so prices
    don't mean much, but back in 1975 an 8' length of 1" diameter
    "standard galvanized" was $10.44, and the same in "extra heavy black"
    was $11.76.  I don't know if the "extra heavy black" is what that
    guy was selling, but it might work.  You'd probably want to paint
    it with Rustoleum since I guess it's not galvanized, but if you
    can get it from a plumbing supply house for significantly less than
    he's charging, you can buy a heck of a lot of paint and still save
    money!
    

    I got some rather inexpensive galvanized pipe from a place that sells
fencing (the stuff you put around your yard, not the sport where you say touch�)
They had various dimensions.  I'd think they'd have connectors of some kind too.

    The awnings on my house are made from 1/2" lead pipe. They are about
    30 years old and I don't know if lead pipe is still available. But
    it's easy to put together with just regular plumbing fittings. I
    can't see why you couldn't substitute galvanized pipe and then thread
    the ends and use brass elbows and screw it together. Currently we
    are looking for a source of cheap ($) canvas to make new awnings.
    They get about $500 just for a new awning!! My wife went to a place
    in Nashua and got about the same estimates you stated. That's when
    we decided to redo the old one ourselves.
    
    Good luck
    Tim
    

    	How about a whole deck screen house.  They are on sale till
    sunday at Summerville Lumber in Pelham N.H.  They have a 16'6''x?
    for about 500.  This includes the heavey material awning and 78"
    screens.  I got one and like it!
    
    					GEORGE ARDINI

    
    Having worked in such a canvas shop for 5 years,  I can give you
    some info.
    
    1.  the price you were quoted is the going price.  Yes, it is extremely
    expensive.
    
    2.  The best pipe that you could get for that size awning is 1 inch
    stainless steel.   You can usually get it bent into the correct
    shape at the place you purchase the stainless steel.  I don't know
    of anywhere up here to get stainless steel pipe - but a trip through
    the yellow pages may help.  
    
    	By getting anything less than 1 inch -you are taking the chance
    that the poles will bend over time and weather.  Plus the stainless
    steel will last forever, so you will not need to replace the pipes
    when you replace the awnings.
    
    3.  It would take a knowlegable person about 3-4 hours to install
    the pipe.  
    
    4.  You should be able to purchase the fittings for the pipe from
    a canvas shop - or there are a couple of mail order places where
    you can get them.  These fittings are expensive - could run you up
    to $200, depending on the number and kinds you used.
    
    If you have any more questions, let me know.  I think I answered
    your originals...
    
    
    sherry
    
    
    
    

>        the ends and use brass elbows and screw it together. Currently we
>    are looking for a source of cheap ($) canvas to make new awnings.
>    They get about $500 just for a new awning!! My wife went to a place
>    in Nashua and got about the same estimates you stated. That's when
>    we decided to redo the old one ourselves.
>    
>    Good luck
>    Tim
    
    Tim,  are you going to sew the canvas yourself?  So are you just
    looking for fabric?    
    
    If you are planning on making it yourself, here are a couple things
    to consider : 
    
    1)  you will save money - of the $500, probably about $100-$150
    is fabric.
    
    2)  You cannot sew canvas on a regular home sewing machine.  
    
    3)  there are several different kinds of fabrics which can be used
    for awning material.  they differ in weight, strenght, the amount
    of light let through and longevity.    Most canvas shops will sell
    you a large order of fabric (If you take this route, let me know
    and I'll let you know if you are getting ripped off).
    
    4)  For a decent sized awning (15X15)  it will take you about 8
    hours from start to finish, assuming that you know ahead of time
    approximately what to do, and the awning is really simple.
    
    Sherry
    
    

< Note 2237.5 by FIDERE::NAMOGLU "Sheryl Namoglu : VMS Development " >
>
>    4.  You should be able to purchase the fittings for the pipe from
>    a canvas shop - or there are a couple of mail order places where
>    you can get them.  These fittings are expensive - could run you up
>    to $200, depending on the number and kinds you used.
>    
	Sherry,
		Thanks for  the  info...however,  I could use a bit more,
	for  example,  the  names/addresses of those mailorder places you
	mentioned above...  I don't think I want to go  back  to this guy
	because  I  don't think he'll want to sell me just the  fittings.
	Further,  I  believe I'll need a bit of time to design the  frame
	myself  and  come  up  with  a  list of required parts.  Having a
	catalog will help with the design phase.
	
		Just from your experience,  do  you think that 5 'rafter'
	pipes would be adequate for  supporting  the  canvas?    I  say 5
	because that is all the guy  said  there'd be holding up the end.
	I  am  also assuming that he calculated  the  price  based  on  5
	support  poles,  5  'rafter' poles, and the associated  fittings,
	lacing pipes, etc.
	
	Thanks...
		Chris
    
    
    
    

    
    Chris,
    
    	The place I had in mind was Redrum Fabrics in Norwood Ma.
    617-769-4277.  The thing I don't know is what their ordering policies
    are (Ie, do you have to be a real business).  If you have a problem
    getting equipment from them, let me know.
    
    	What do you mean by "rafter' pipes?   I am not all that familar
    with pipe designs for awnings - as the shop I worked in was a marine
    canvas shop - and therefore we used a different style for the 
    pipes than you would use in an awning.
    
    Sherry
    
    

    
    Actually, I have an even better one : 
    
    	Astrup
    	800-526-7656
    
    This place specializes in awning equipment.  Including the fittings
    and poles.  I would check with them first.
    
    

    Does anyone know of any sources of insulating window shade material?
    Fabric Town in Reading,MA  doesn't carry the material any more. There is
    someone that will make curtains special order that displays in their store.
    I realize that the material is expensive but I'd like to try making
    the shades. Any sources? mailorder? store or whatever?
    Any success stories with insulating shades? 
    Thanks
    Norm Morin

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Are you talking about the white-black-white sandwich material, that 
lets zero light pass through?  The fabric place in framingham carries 
such (i think they have other branches too).
Now, if only someone would sell a shade already made from the stuff...

    re .3 No, I'm looking for insulating material. In reference to the
    first two responses, I did look through the mentioned notes but
    did not find an a supplier of insulating material.
    Norm Morin

Fabric place in Fram. has anything I have ever looked for.  They also 
have a store in a mall in Woburn.

The Framingham one is much bigger though.   Give them a call before 
taking the trip.

    Woburn doesn't have the material or at least that's what the salesperson
    said. My wife and I stopped by the Fabric place in the Woburn mall
    one night. After the saleswoman ran around looking for the stuff,
    she said that they didn't carry it any more. I'll give Framingham
    a call.
    Norm Morin

    Can anybody give me information on window awnings?  I'd like to
    get awnings on some windows that get a lot of direct sun.  There
    seem to be three kinds: aluminum, vinyl, and canvas.  Canvas
    doesn't seem to hold up as well as the others (our house came
    with a rotten canvas awning on one window).  I'm told that
    aluminum is noisier in the rain than vinyl.  Is there anything
    else I should consider?

    Any experience with suppliers or installers?  It seems like it
    ought to be an easy DIY job, assuming that you can get the right size.

    
    Has anyone ever heard of these 'retractable awnings' that you affix
    directly to your house?  We saw a display on this at the Home Show in
    Boston several weeks ago, and it appears to be the answer to our
    prayers.  We are buying a new home and will be moving in in a few
    weeks.  The back yard has a beautiful deck, but the entire back gets
    baked with sun all day.
    
    This awning sure looked sturdy enough, and can open up in a variety of
    different ways depending on what you're doing underneath (just a few
    people and a table and chairs, to more people).  A company in Malden
    makes them.  It turns out that the people from whom we are buying this
    house had also heard about this thingamagig, did some checking into it,
    and was favorably impressed.  He would have installed one this summer
    had he not put his house up for sale.
    
    Sound familiar to anyone?  They go for about $375.
    

    Offhand I don't recall their name, but there's an outfit in Lawrence,
    MA that manufactures canvas awnings to your spec.  A neighbor's had one
    over his deck for a good 5 years now, and it works great.  Excellent
    for those rainy day barbecues too!
    
    John
    

    
    I saw the display at the Home show they had in Manchester NH. The guys
    who were selling it were the owners and inveners. I was very impressed
    with it. I'd like to put it on my deck, but the smallest width is 8'.
    My deck is L-shape and wraps around the house. We don't have a 8'
    section of outside wall to attach the thing to. 
    
    They use to sell this through a distributor. But now they sell it
    directly. Selling it though a distributor brought the cost up to over
    $1k. 
    
    Mike

    Since this note proved so useful when it was written I decided I'd
    resurrect it.  :-)
    
    	I have an enclosed porch with 4'X 4' screens on three sides.  
    The problem is that when it rains the rain comes in the side
    screens.  The front faces south, has a 12" soffit and unless the wind
    happens to be blowing in just the right direction no rain comes in.  I
    need to find a way to keep the rain from coming in the sides.  I'm
    considering putting awnings above the windows but have no experience
    with them.  
    
    	Would they prevent the rain from coming in?  
    
    	How far from the porch would they have to extend to be effective?  
    
        I'd prefer canvas awnings.  Anyone know where these can be purchased 
        in the Nashua area?
    
    	If anyone has any other ideas I'd like to hear them.  I really
    don't want to install windows.  That would defeat the purpose of having
    a a screened porch.
    
    George

    We have canvas awnings on the sunniest side of our house and they do a
    nice job of keeping the rain out as well as the sun. There's a canvas
    awning dealer called Mike's Custom Kanvas on 734 West Hollis Street,
    phone 880-7998. I know nothing of them -- I just see the place every
    time I pass by on my way to the recycle center. I've been thinking of
    calling them as several of my awnings need to be restitched.
    
    Mike

Having worked summers for a canvas awning company years ago, they can be easy
or difficult to install yourself.  However, they have to be custom made.  You
would be better off having them installed by the maker the first time.  They 
would be able to ensure the hardware is mounted properly, etc.  A lot of canvas
awnings are made with pull ropes that allow them to be folded up to allow more
light in.  Most of the awnings we worked with, the people never used the pulls.
Also, as the awnings get older, they can get a little more brittle, and react
poorly to constant folding and unfolding.  The only time they should be used is
to secure the awnings up against the house in case of a hurricane.  

The real secret to long lasting awnings is not so much the cloth quality, as it
is the fact that they should not be made to endure harsh winters.  Once they are
installed by the maker, it should be real easy to remove and reinstall them, 
provided you can get a ladder set up to allow you to get up under the awning.
Real tall windows, or windows with big shrubs in front of them make it harder.

In terms of cloth, there is painted and solid.  Both have advantages.  Most 
people use painted, to get a desired color on the outside, and still have a 
light underside.  

You should also decide if you want a simple she

    >>You should also decide if you want a simple she
    
    Well, she's kind of simple but occasionally likes a night out in the
    city.  Does this matter?
    
    George

You should also decide if you want a simple shed roof style awning, which can 
be made to roll up, which is lots better then folding, or an awning with sides.
The shed style is a rectangle with a rod or roller across the top attached to 
the house, a rod/pipe across the outer edge, and two pipes that run from the 
outer corners down to the house.  This style can be more horizontal to avoid 
obstructing the view.  However, if the rain comes at that wall at an angle, 
the corners will be unprotected.  An awning with sides will provide a little 
more protection, but have different dimensional requirements.  They usually 
extend down a bit more.  They have a rod across the top for attaching to the
house, and a 3 sided rectangle at the bottom.  This style USUALLY extends down
as far as it does out.  It can also be made with a hip if it is going over a
casement window.  These can also be made small.  If all you want is say a 1' 
overhang, you could have a small awning 1' out, 1'+/- down, and as wide as the
window.  

	Well, it's a year later and I'm still thinking about awnings.  Rather 
    than buy them we're thinking about building them.  My wife can sew and has 
    made canvas articles in the past and I have the skills and tools to build 
    the framework.  It doesn't seem like it would be that complicated a 
    project.  What I'm thinking about is making a framework out of electrical 
    conduit.  The frame would consist of a top support rod that is attached to 
    the house above the window and a bottom support rod to support the bottom 
    of the awnings.  The length of the awning would be around 14' to cover 
    three 4'X4' windows.  The top support would be attached to the bottom 
    support by a traingular shaped side support, something like this:

         side view		   		  front view
					 _______________________________
	|0 <-- top support		|				|
house ->|" \				| ============================= |
	|"  \ <-- side support		| "			      "	|
	|"   \				| "         awning	      "	|
	|" <--\-- side support		| "			      "	|
	|"     \			| ============================	|
	|+======0 <-- bottom support	| -----------------------------	|
	=				| |			      |	|
       | |				| |			      |	|
       | |				| |			      |	|
       | |				| |          window	      |	|
       | |<-- window			| |			      |	|
       | |				
	


The canvas would have pockets at the edges that the rods would slip through, 
like curtains only tighter.  Anyone have any experience with this?  For the 
corners I need a connector that would allow a three way attachment preferably 
movable so the awnings can be folded if need be.  Any idea if such hardware is 
available?

Thanks,

George

I have a couple of retractable aluminum awnings that no longer retract.
I figured this out when I went to put up for the winter.  

I don't know how these things retract, but imagine it has something
to do with springs.  Is there anything I can do to fix them?  Or, does
anyone know who does repairs on these awnings?

- Mike

Why don't you try calling companies listed in the yellow pages under "Awnings?"

Ooops, I forgot to mention that I tried calling awning companies in my 
Marlboro/Concord phone book without much success.  The only place I found 
that says they do repairs hasn't followed up on my calls.  I'll take a
look at some other phone books.

I just thought someone out there might have some information.

Thanks,
Mike 

    
    Mike,
    you might want to take a walk into a place that sells
    these.  You'll get more responce from a "face to face."
    Sometimes over the phone dosnt cut it!
    
    ..Did you try a little oil on the working parts???
    
    JD

I will try the personal approach.  I talked to my neighbor, and he gave me some
clues about where the previous owner may have gotten the awnings.  So I'll try
to follow up on this information.

As for oiling the working parts, well, I'm hesitant to take these things apart
to get to the working parts.  I have a feeling I'll end up with a bunch of
parts that I can't get back together.

Thanks for your suggestions.

- Mike

    I'm currently building a 12x18 southern facing deck and would like to
    put an awning over it.
    
    The last few replies seem to be pointing towards companies which make
    and install the deck awning for you.  Does anyone have experience with 
    any of these?  cost, quality, name of company??  I tried calling Astrup
    as referenced in reply .9, but could not get through.
    
    Kevin
    

    
    No experience... but at a home show last year I was fascinating by a 
    FEW companies that not only had electrically extendable/retractable 
    awnings, but also had sensors that automatically retracted the awning
    if they "felt" wind stress that was potentially damaging!
    
    								- Mac