The retractable awning boom

June 1, 2009  |  Awnings & Canopies, Features

Why it still hasn’t happened…and why it could happen any day. By Jamie Swedberg For as long as there have been retractable awnings, there has been speculation on when they’ll really catch on in the United States. From the point of view of a company like SunSetter® Awnings, Mald…
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ETFE membrane installed in North America

June 1, 2009  |  Awnings & Canopies, Markets, Projects

A North American first shelters shoppers and diners in “Kansas City’s living room.” By Lynn Keillor When sprinter Muna Lee ran in the 200-meter finals at the Beijing Olympics, she competed beneath the same membrane that she may have dined under in her home town of Kansas City, Miss…
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Golf cart features retractable roof

June 1, 2009  |  Awnings & Canopies, Markets

Golfers looking for a perfect drive need look no further than a golf cart with the Sun Topper® retractable top, a product from Mr. Otek Sign and Textile, Mishicot, Wisc. The Sun Topper fits various makes and models of carts. Constructed from 18-gauge stainless steel tubing, it has a patented hin…
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Market watch: awnings and canopies

May 1, 2009  |  Awnings & Canopies, Markets

Quality and creativity will provide future rewards for U.S. and Canadian markets. By Jeff Rasmussen The impact of the recession on the specialty fabrics industry has been significant, and understanding details in these developments can help businesses survive the turmoil and land on their feet when …
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Shade fabrics designed for variety of applications

May 1, 2009  |  Awnings & Canopies, Products

Polyfab USA offers two knitted HDPE shade fabrics. Available in multiple colors and offered in 12.5-foot wide by 100-foot long center-folded rolls, Comtex® and Polytex® test up to 96.3 percent protection from UVA and UVB radiation, and are covered under a 10-year warranty. Comtex is designed…
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New awning fabric maximizes thermal isolation

April 1, 2009  |  Awnings & Canopies, Products

Thermocril, a 100 percent solution-dyed acrylic awning fabric, offers color fastness and a newly-engineered backside coating to maximize thermal isolation for the best heat reduction. Thermocril boasts dimensional stability, more water column than regular Docril and extra UV protection. It can be pr…
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Cooley releases new awning fabric and substrates

April 1, 2009  |  Awnings & Canopies, Graphics, Products

Weathertyte Lite has the architectural fabric look and feel, waterproof properties and flame resistance of Cooley Group’s Weathertyte awning fabric, but its lighter weight offers easier handling. It is also well suited for other applications where protection from the environment is key, such a…
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Fabric provides solar light protection

April 1, 2009  |  Awnings & Canopies, Products

Tempotest 100 percent acrylic fiber, solution-dyed fabric for awnings offers a solar light protection of at least 74 percent. This color fade- and mildew-resistant fabric also has a nanotechnology finishing treatment for a self-cleaning surface, and comes with an eight-year guarantee. Customers may …
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Herculite releases new products

April 1, 2009  |  Awnings & Canopies, Graphics, Marine, Products

Natura™ is made for commercial awning and canopy projects to protect from harsh environments, while providing a natural fabric design element. It delivers the look and feel of natural woven cloth with the added benefits of being waterproof, flame resistant, weldable and dimensionally stable, a…
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New awning fabrics meet fire resistance standards

April 1, 2009  |  Awnings & Canopies, Products

Ultrashade and Ultrashade-Lite are vinyl-laminated awning fabrics designed to meet stringent fire resistance standards. Ultrashade’s high strength-to-weight ratio means easier manufacturing and resistance to sagging and stretching. The top coating enhances pressure sensitive vinyl receptivity …
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