Recently, we had the pleasure of installing a canopy for Robbins Property at the Nautica Apartments in St. Petersburg, FL.  This particular awning offered some unique challenges as they wanted a seamless blend from a traditional fixed awning into a radius marquee awning and then back to a traditional awning.  To further complicate the situation, the customer asked that we not install posts anywhere but the outer edges of the awning keeping the entrance way unobstructed.  In order to accomplish this without sacrificing structural integrity, we added heavy duty support plates (pictured below) where the traditional awnings met the radius marquee in the center.

As you can see, they chose to powder coat the frame in a classy looking deep blue in order to match the dark blue Sunbrella fabric.  Custom heat applied graphics were used to display their multi-color logo as well.  The awning served its purpose of providing shade and rain protection to the complex's clubhouse.  In my opinion it really transformed the look of the pool patio area as well.  Here is a before and after picture so you can decide for yourself whether it made a difference or not.

It is amazing how the demand for retractable awnings has increased recently.  It must be the versatility and flexibility that a retractable canopy offers that makes them so desirable.  Shade when you want shade, and plenty of sun when you don't.  We recently were delighted when Tabitha from the Hyde Park area in Tampa came in to our booth at a Home Show.  After speaking with Jeff, one our shade consultants, Tabitha decided a Sunesta Sunstyle retractable awning was the right fit for her sun problem on her back patio.  The Sunstyle offered the right amount of features coupled with a long warranty for piece of mind.  The dark gray Sattler fabric matched the paint on her house almost exactly.  The Sunstyle has a sleek profile while maintaining the strength of some of the best retractable awnings in the business.  Unfortunately for Tabitha's son, he'll have to move his basketball hoop to the other end of the patio.  We just barely cleared it when the awning was at full projection.

Aluminum architectural canopies are gaining popularity due to their resistance to the elements and classic style.  While possibly not as attractive as fabric awnings, there remains the durability and longevity that this type of awning supplies.  Recently, a CVS pharmacy in Brandon gave us a call in order to replace the architectural canopy over their loading dock and employee entrance.  The awning was powder coated satin white in order to match the appearance of the previous canopy we were replacing.  This particular architectural canopy is different from the one we put up on Richard's Foodporium in Dunedin.  The water management system of this awning is a spillway across the front of the awning.  There are no gutters or scuppers on this awning.  The top pan is angled in such a way that the water flows out the front of the awning just before the front bar.  Keep in mind when ordering canopies of this style that you will want to make your projection from the wall a little further out to account for this drainage style.  Deliveries to this CVS should be protected from the rain and sun for years to come.

A little while back we were privileged to work with the folks at All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg, FL.  They had two separate projects for us to tackle.  The first of which was quite unique.  They needed to provide rain and sun protection for a mobile MRI the hospital often employs.  This mobile MRI is housed in a full size semi-truck with a ramp and stairs transporting the children to and from the truck.  The challenge for us was to maintain clearance for the ramp all the while still providing adequate coverage from the elements.  We decided to go with a radius marquee style awning for a little bit of architectural style.  It really came out nice if I do say so myself.

Without the MRI Truck:

With the MRI Truck:

The second project was a covered walkway for the employee entrance.  Again, we went with a radius marquee style for the walkway.  This time with a tighter radius to fit the sidewalk.  The blue vinyl fabric was a good backdrop for the custom graphics of the All Children's logo.

It is always nice to know that we are helping others, especially children in need in this case, with the products we fabricate.