SUNSETTER VS SUNESTA COMPARISON
Where Are The Companies Based?
Sunesta
Our Sunesta awnings are manufactured in Jacksonville, Florida and supplied from our local business based in Colorado.
Sunsetter
Sunsetter’s offices of operation are in Massachusetts where they distribute to both their dealer system and direct to customers online or over the phone. While the company is located in the United States, their product is only “Assembled” in the U.S.
Who Makes The Component Parts?
Sunesta
The aluminum used in Sunesta awnings is produced and formed in St. Augustine, Florida, and the important shoulder components are US manufactured as well. The Somfy wireless remote controlled motors used in our products originate in France and carry the longest warranty in the industry. The fabric we use is made in Austria from the finest acyllic materials and carries a 10-year warranty against fading! We strive only to produce the highest quality awnings for each of our loyal customers, and believe we’ve done exactly that with our strict quality guidelines.
Sunsetter
Nearly all of the components in Sunsetter awnings are either manufactured or sourced from Chinese companies. While these components allow Sunsetter to offer a lower price, their compromise in quality limits their ability to offer long-term warranty coverage on their products. While cost is a very important factor in your awning decision, the cheapest option is not always the best value for your investment.
Who Actually Installs Your Awning?
Sunesta
We have our own dedicated team of awning installation experts. We offer a complete installation service based on almost 25-years of trade experience which is something you’re not going to hear from other awning companies.
Sunsetter
When you order a Sunsetter awning it’s usually through a registered Sunsetter dealer who then hires either a local handyman or another company to install the awning for them. They may or may not be a licensed contractor, and there is no guarantee that the person installing your Sunsetter awning is covered by any form of insurance at all. These are risks that the average home or business owner can not afford to take, and should not have to.
What Sizes Are Available?
Sunesta
We custom build each and every Sunesta awning to your exact specifications in widths up to 40 feet! We understand that every property is different, and each person has their own personal taste and style, so we offer 192 fabric selections and a wide range of frame color options.
Sunsetter
Although the Sunsetter line products look good in their packaging, you’re going to be restricted to awning widths of between 10ft and 20ft in preset sizes – there are few made-to-order options with Sunsetter so you might find yourself a bit limited here. By supplying only fixed sizes and one frame color, Sunsetter can limit the number of choices they offer a customer. This keeps their costs down and helps them maximize profits.
How Far Can Your Awnings Project Away from a Wall?
Sunesta
At Colorado Shades & Awnings we’re familiar with our customer requirements, and we have refined our products based on their unique needs. The maximum projection we can offer with our Sunesta awnings range is 14 feet and 8 inches, the longest projection in the retractable awning industry. We also offer awnings in projections of as little as 5 feet if preferred. We’ll work with you to decide on the perfect projection length for your unique requirements.
Sunsetter
The Sunsetter awnings are available in 9ft, 10ft and 11 ft projections. If your awning projection needs are any higher than that, Sunsetter simply won’t be able to offer you the range of shade that you need or want.
What Fabric and Color Choices Are Available?
Sunesta
The metal frame components for Sunesta awnings are available in white, clay, beige and brown. Our awnings come in a color scheme of your choice to suit any home or business. When it comes to the type of fabric we use in our awnings it’s manufactured in Austria for the highest quality possible. There are over 193 colorfast solid and stripe patterns to choose from when deciding on the exact color of your new Sunesta awning. No matter what style of decor you’re facing we’ll have something to match your exact needs with our customizable Sunesta line.
Sunsetter
If you choose a Sunsetter awning you’ll only have a single color choice for the metal frame components of your awning. When it comes to fabric color there are only 16 fabric pattern choices to choose from when compared to the 193 that Sunesta offers. If you truly want a unique design and feel for the outside of your home or business, consider your options, and choose accordingly.
The Type of Warranty You’ll Receive
Sunesta
We’re delighted to offer our customers the best warranties in the awning industry today. Each part of your Sunesta awning will fall under a specific warranty to ensure a long lasting confidence in making the right decision. The metal framing for the awning is under full warranty for 10-15 years depending on exact make and model. All Sunesta fabrics are under warranty for 10 years, and the motors receive a complete 5 year warranty too! If anything ever goes wrong with any part of your awning, Colorado Shades provides repairs or replacements of the parts.
Sunsetter
The frame, fabric and electronic components for Sunsetter awnings are covered by a 5-year pro-rated warranty. A pro-rated warranty will only cover a small portion of any repair costs, and the older your awning becomes, the less your warranty covers in terms of financial costs. Not only that, but customers are often forced to pay for the labor on all warranty repairs and the shipping costs as well! When you purchase a Sunsetter awning you’re risking having to face a difficult time if anything goes wrong with your product.
Conclusion
In the above comparison we have done our best to provide a fair, impartial, and honest appraisal of our Sunesta awning line versus those produced by the Sunsetter brand. We believe the factual information stated above speaks loudly, and should have considerable effects on your decision to purchase an awning. At Colorado Shades we strive to provide the highest level quality and service to each of our valued customers in Colorado. Our Sunesta awnings offer everything you’ll ever need in a retractable patio awning for your home or business. From the many options available for you to choose from, to our long-lasting warranties, we are here to help you enjoy the outdoors in style and comfort.