Competitors
CableShade NATIONWIDE provides the most durable and most beautiful canopies on the market. These slide-wire shades are made with top-grade awining fabrics and rust-proof stainless steel cables and components. Our products are superior to other types of shade systems, such as:
The Crank-Out Shade
These retractable awnings are generally inexpensive. They are basically the same as those motor home attachment shade systems and often are seriously damaged or destroyed in a good gust of wind—even those with the more expensive ‘wind release’ mechanism. There is simply a lot of fabric surface without spaces for wind release. These types of awnings are very limited in how they can attach to the house—they need a high mount point because the fabric extends on a downward slope.
Another obstacle is that these retractable awnings roll up on a spindle, and if the fabric has moisture, mildew sets in, causing fabric rot. These can only extend up to about 11 ft. and are not available in widths beyond 20ft. This style awning system is comprised of one large sewn-together fabric—therefore, like a large sail on a ship, they catch the wind with great force causing severe damage.
Another obstacle is that these retractable awnings roll up on a spindle, and if the fabric has moisture, mildew sets in, causing fabric rot. These can only extend up to about 11 ft. and are not available in widths beyond 20ft. This style awning system is comprised of one large sewn-together fabric—therefore, like a large sail on a ship, they catch the wind with great force causing severe damage.
Canopies on Rollers
There are two or three manufacturers of these retractable canopy systems in the US market. They are far more decorative and versatile than the 'crank-out' models and can extend more than double the length. The main difference is that these shades roll on a track, rather than our CableShades that glide on stainless cables.
These are the most elite retractable shade systems on the market, but they have some drawbacks. The biggest (besides the higher price) is that these systems need continual service. Customers in remote areas are often out of range for such service. Even though under a strong warranty, the “on rollers" canopy customer is generally responsible for unassembling and shipping back to the manufacturer for repairs or replacement.
Because of their many moving parts (rollers and spring mechanisms), these systems are easily damaged in freak storms and unexpected snowfalls. The repair costs can be very expensive.
These are the most elite retractable shade systems on the market, but they have some drawbacks. The biggest (besides the higher price) is that these systems need continual service. Customers in remote areas are often out of range for such service. Even though under a strong warranty, the “on rollers" canopy customer is generally responsible for unassembling and shipping back to the manufacturer for repairs or replacement.
Because of their many moving parts (rollers and spring mechanisms), these systems are easily damaged in freak storms and unexpected snowfalls. The repair costs can be very expensive.
Plain and Simple Pergola or Trellis/Arbor Structures
These are the most common shade systems—usually wood or vinyl frames with decorative slats on top. The slats can be sparse or crowded, but typically, there is only about 25% shade at best. There are many "pergola builders" in each city with their own style slat material and design. About 1 in 10 homes have a pergola or trellis on their deck/patio. Most find they've spent a good chunk of time and cost building these decorative structures only to find they provide little or no shade.
This is where CableShade's colorful canopies on cables can benefit. For an affordable price, our canopies can be custom-made to fit under the arbors of your existing pergola or between the arbors, depending on the pergola design.
This is where CableShade's colorful canopies on cables can benefit. For an affordable price, our canopies can be custom-made to fit under the arbors of your existing pergola or between the arbors, depending on the pergola design.
The Fixed Roof/Awning
These fixed-roof shade systems can range from decorative and quite expensive to less expensive but not very durable. Unless built very sturdy, a good wind and/or especially a heavy snow load can buckle them. In snowy areas of the country, this type of awning requires a high mounting point to accommodate a downward slope enough to shed rain/snow. Therefore, mounting on an eave fascia part of the house is impossible.
On the one hand, it is nice not to shovel snow under these fixed-roof systems in the winter. Yet, on the other hand, that deck/patio is under permafrost all winter because it is always shaded and, therefore, unusable for several months of the year without any retractable option to let the sun through.
On the one hand, it is nice not to shovel snow under these fixed-roof systems in the winter. Yet, on the other hand, that deck/patio is under permafrost all winter because it is always shaded and, therefore, unusable for several months of the year without any retractable option to let the sun through.
The Louvered-Roof Awnings
This shade system can be decorative but is among the most expensive. These are limited in how far they can span (about 16 ft. maximum), and, like the canopies on rollers, there are many moving parts. Warranties are limited—depending on the severity of storm damage.
These are not highly recommended in heavy snow or frozen areas. For instance, if someone flips the power switch to maneuver the slats during below-freezing temperatures with ice build-up, this can cause very expensive damage—not covered under warranty.
These are not highly recommended in heavy snow or frozen areas. For instance, if someone flips the power switch to maneuver the slats during below-freezing temperatures with ice build-up, this can cause very expensive damage—not covered under warranty.