Installation Instructions for Retractable Awnings

The sundown series of retractable awnings will arrive completely assembled and is factory tested. We have designed our Sundown series of retractable awnings to be simple to install and trouble free. Note: awnings over 25' in width will arrive in 2 sections with a factory splice for easy on the job assembly.

Before beginning, please familiarize yourself with the components of the awning as shown on the accompanying diagram. It will save you time in the long run. The soffit-mount bracket is available for the Sundown Gold and Sundown Silver retractable awnings only. The Sundown Gold Plus is only available for installation with wall mount brackets. However it can be installed on a roof mount using the optional roof mount brackets. Bracket #SS110 wall-mount bracket is for wood frame and masonry construction, Bracket #SS120 is used for soffit mounting.

The length of the awning determines the number of brackets. A 6 ft. long awning will have two brackets, a 12 ft., three, a 16 ft., four, and a 21 ft., six brackets. Use all brackets for secure mounting.

Required Tools
Electric drill, 1/8" and 1/4" drill bit, two 9/16" and one - 3/4" wrenches or sockets, #1 Phillips screwdriver, stud finder (for wood frame construction), 1' and 4' levels, and chalk line. A heavy-duty mason drill with a carbide bit is required to install brackets on masonry walls.

Locating the Brackets
Proper location of the brackets is the most important aspect of the "SunDown Gold" mounting. They must be fastened to studs, joists, headers or other major structural members. Even a moderate wind exerts great force on the awning and mounting brackets. This is why it is most important that all "SunDown Gold" mounting brackets be fastened properly and securely. Proper location will also make it easier to insert the support tube when hanging the awning. Included on page one of these instructions is a diagram of a typical two-arm "SunDown Gold" awning. Mounting points and the components of the awning have been numbered for easy reference.

You will find points A, B, and C on the support tube (#3) are recommended positions for the mounting brackets. When only two brackets per awning are required, the mounting brackets must be located at points A, and within 12" of center to (#1) arm clamp and (#2) bearing end plate. If a third mounting bracket is required, it must be located at point C on the support tube (#3) within 12" of center between the two arm clamps W1). When two brackets per arm are needed, locate one bracket within 12" of center to the arm clamp (#1) and the bearing end plate (#2). The second bracket must not be more than 14" from the arm clamp (#2) at mounting point B on the support tube (#3).

To determine the proper height of the mounting brackets, refer to page five of these installation instructions and locate the pitch chart which relates to your awning. Next find the projection on the pitch chart which matches that of the one you are installing. Add the number of inches that are needed from the pitch chart to the height at which you prefer the front rail W4) when the awning is fully extended. This is considered the optimum installation height but not always obtainable due to low roof heights.

Next, snap a level chalk line along the wall at the height you have determined to be the top of the bracket. Make a mark on the wall at the end points of the awning and at the arm clamps (#1).