Question 1

How long does install take?

Accepted Answer

Lead times by model: SummerSpace G150/G250 4–6 weeks, K300 5–7 weeks. Aristocrat Estate/Slim-Fit/Eko 5–7 weeks, Manor 6–8 weeks. Custom fabric or frame color adds 2–4 weeks. Peak season (April–July) adds 1–2 weeks. The install itself is a single day for most residential awnings.

Question 2

Do you serve my area?

Accepted Answer

We install in NJ, NY, CT, and PA only. Install fees: $1,600 NJ, $1,800 NY (high-rise extra), $2,000 CT, $1,800 PA. Outside those four states we can sometimes refer to a partner — ask on the consultation call.

Question 3

Will the awning survive winter and snow?

Accepted Answer

Retracted? Yes — full-cassette models (K300 / Manor) especially. Extended in heavy snow? No — retract before snow, hail, or sustained heavy weather. Aluminum frames don't care about cold; what winter damages is fabric seams under tension and water freezing in arm cables. Wind sensor auto-retracts when needed.

Question 4

What about wind?

Accepted Answer

Beaufort 5 (~19–24 mph) is the typical retract threshold. Beaufort 6 (~25–31 mph) is structural concern. Strongly recommend the wind sensor (+$500) — it auto-retracts at storm-class wind, and most manufacturer warranties REQUIRE a sensor for wind-damage coverage.

Question 5

What's the warranty?

Accepted Answer

By component: Frame 10 years (structural defect). Powder coat 5–7 years. Sunbrella fabric 10 years (Tempotest 5 years). Somfy motor 5 years. Wind sensor 2 years. LED 5 years. Breslow install workmanship 1 year. Universal exclusions: wind damage above rated speed (especially without a sensor), snow load, hail, improper cleaning, third-party modification.

Question 6

What's the fabric made of?

Accepted Answer

Two options, equal quality, both solution-dyed acrylic: Sunbrella (US-made, Glen Raven NC, 10-year fade warranty, traditional/Americana palette) or Tempotest (Italian, Para Group, 5-year warranty, contemporary/European palette). Real-world fabric life on East Coast installs is 12–18 years. We bring physical samples to the consult.

Question 7

What frame colors are available?

Accepted Answer

5 standard powder-coat options: White, Almond / Ivory, Bronze, Dark Bronze, and Charcoal / Black. Most customers pick white, almond, or bronze to match house trim. Custom colors are available with an upcharge and longer lead time (+2–4 weeks).

Question 8

What motor do they use?

Accepted Answer

All current SummerSpace and Aristocrat awnings ship with Somfy Altus 50/60 RTS tubular motors — industry standard, 10,000-cycle minimum (real-world 12–18 years). Sits inside the roller tube, never visible. One handheld remote is included; wall remote is +$500. Standard motors stay where they are during a power outage.

Question 9

Can I add LED lighting?

Accepted Answer

Yes on G150, G250, Estate, Slim-Fit, and Eko. NOT available on K300 or Manor — frame geometry doesn't accept the strip. LED is a $1,200 upgrade. Warm-white strip integrated into the front bar, controlled separately from the awning extension.

Question 10

What is a drop screen?

Accepted Answer

A separate retractable mesh screen that drops vertically from the front bar — turns a covered patio into a 3-sided room. Blocks low-angle sun, reduces wind, adds privacy. $2,500 motorized. Available motorized on G150, G250, Estate, Slim-Fit. K300 is manual-only. NOT available on Manor or Eko.

Question 11

Do you offer smart-home control?

Accepted Answer

Yes — the Bond bridge ($600) connects Somfy RTS awnings to your home Wi-Fi for app + voice control. Works with Alexa, Google Home, and HomeKit. Up to 6 RTS devices per Bond bridge.

Question 12

Do I need a permit?

Accepted Answer

Depends on your municipality. Some require a permit for any wall-attached structure, some don't. Breslow handles all permitting as part of the install — you don't have to do anything. NYC high-rise installs also require a Certificate of Insurance for the building, which we provide.

Question 13

What if I live in a high-rise or NYC apartment?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we install all the time in NYC high-rises. We use a splice kit — the unit ships and travels as two sections, then re-joins on the balcony. Splice kit is $400–$800 + 60–90 min extra labor. We provide the Certificate of Insurance the building requires. Same motor, same wind rating, single continuous fabric panel.

Question 14

Why does an awning cost ten thousand dollars?

Accepted Answer

You're buying a factory-extruded aluminum frame engineered for 25 mph sustained wind, solution-dyed acrylic warrantied 10 years against fading, Somfy motorization, professional install with electrical, and a 10-year frame warranty. A $2,000 box-store awning lasts 3 years. Over 10 years, ours saves money.

Question 15

Can I install it myself?

Accepted Answer

Yes you can — but it voids the manufacturer warranty AND the install warranty AND most homeowner's insurance won't cover wind damage on a self-install. The unit is 200+ lbs and the wall brackets need real structure.

Retractable awnings, designed and installed by Breslow. Get a ballpark in 60 seconds.

Drag, customize, and see your awning before you book.

SummerSpace + Aristocrat — the seven models we install

Real-world awning size guide

Match your space to the right size.

30 minutes is all it takes. Then we send the real numbers.