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Help on adding an awning to a terrace

Started by uws10023
over 13 years ago
Posts: 13
Member since: Jan 2011
Discussion about
I am thinking of adding an awning to my south facing terrace; the terrace is about 4.5 feet wide and 20 feet long. I assume I might not want to cover the entire terrace, but probably want to cover the door. Any suggestions on selecting a size, design and vendor? How about expected costs? Thanks for your help!
Response by RealEstateNY
over 13 years ago
Posts: 772
Member since: Aug 2009

If you are in an apartment building, make sure to clear it with the Condo/Co-op board or landlord before you go forward. Awnings can add to liability insurance for the building due to the potential of the awning flying off and injuring someone in a storm.

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Response by alanhart
over 13 years ago
Posts: 12397
Member since: Feb 2007

It should be pretty cheap to do (~$350K for midlevel finishes), but if your building requires you to replace back to the risers, it'll be an extra $500K. Let me know where you are and I can come take a look at the job.

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Response by uws10023
over 13 years ago
Posts: 13
Member since: Jan 2011

I reached out to the management company but the guy is on vacation so no answer yet; many others have one so I assume it is ok but will wait and see.
Alanhart - under $500 - really?

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Response by NYCMatt
over 13 years ago
Posts: 7523
Member since: May 2009

"Awnings can add to liability insurance for the building due to the potential of the awning flying off and injuring someone in a storm."

They're also a fire hazard.

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Response by alanhart
over 13 years ago
Posts: 12397
Member since: Feb 2007

Just do one of these; easy, fun, cheap, impermanent: http://www.shadesails.com/

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Response by Lanzz
over 13 years ago
Posts: 106
Member since: Jun 2010

I recently added one - I needed approval from the building and I used the same company that does work for the the co-ops awning downstairs. It was a ton of money - $3800 for a 16 foot by 7 foot retractable awning. But... I really do enjoy it - it makes the terrace a lot more usable.

My terrace is about 40 feet wide, so I covered only the portion adjacent to the living room.

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Response by openhouse
over 13 years ago
Posts: 76
Member since: Jan 2008

uws10023, believe me, you MUST obtain the building's permission. The exterior wall over your terrace door belongs to the building, not you, and any and all drilling could be (with the wrong board/management person?) made into an issue.
I suggest you put in a door-length, easily installed, exceptionally pretty, roll-up INSIDE blinds. The awning will not save you from either the sunlight nor the rain. Unless it's a very specific rain coming from a specific direction, etc. Don't also forget the birdshit, general wear and literal tear, and bugs.
The blinds project will cost you a couple of hundred $.

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Response by huntersburg
over 13 years ago
Posts: 11329
Member since: Nov 2010

I have a coupon for the SunSetter Retractable Awning, but it's available for a limited time only.

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Response by front_porch
over 13 years ago
Posts: 5311
Member since: Mar 2008

If you want to contact me off-board I can try to get my boss, who has an eye for these things, to come take a look.

ali r.

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Response by uws10023
over 13 years ago
Posts: 13
Member since: Jan 2011

I would not think of proceeding without getting approval- I am quite the rule follower on these things. The property manager told me I only need to provide the scope of work and the certificate of insurance. He also suggested Acme as they did the co-op awning downstairs; just saw a neighbor and she said the same thing.

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Response by Tom_Vatury
over 13 years ago
Posts: 12
Member since: Oct 2010

I agree with openhouse if you are concerned with staying outside than an awning would be a better solution but if its the inside of the house and the light/sun coming through the door you are concerned than shades would be a much easier/cheaper solution.

As an example:
http://www.horizonyc.com/images/products/product_big_image/elecric-blinds-curved-kitchen-winow.JPG

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Response by huntersburg
over 13 years ago
Posts: 11329
Member since: Nov 2010

Tom, your link doesn't work.

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Response by Clarck
almost 4 years ago
Posts: 0
Member since: Feb 2022

Sign Freaks provides additional protection from the sun. Our drop valance rolls up into the front bar of your awning and can be controlled manually with a hand-crank, or automatically with motorized operation.
Retractable Awning Chicago

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