Technical & Warranty

The awning frame is made of lightweight, square aluminum extrusions that have an open channel on one side, with a thin, aluminum webbing in the center.  The selected awning fabric is then cut to size, then STAPLED (with a pneumatic stapler) directly to the  aluminum channel inside the extrusion.  Excess fabric is then trimmed, and a complimentary or contrasting PVC trim bead is driven into the channel, covering the staples. This creates an incredibly TIGHT AWNING COVER with LOTS of items in the "plus" column:

Frames Frames for sewn awnings and canopies are constructed from a wide variety of materials and methods, making them less standardized. Because of this, their quality will vary greatly depending on the fabricator and the geographical region. The frame joints can be made with fittings, bolts, screws and welds. Of all these, welding is the most common. Frames for staple-in awnings and canopies are always constructed with a specialized collection of aluminum extrusions, which are cut to appropriate miters and then welded together. The staple-in system is highly uniform in comparison with the older sewn system, and is less affected by changes in geographic region or skill level. Covers Covers are made from a wide selection of fabrics. Due to recent advancements in fabric technology, awning and canopy covers now have expected life spans exceeding 10 years. A thorough review of these fabrics and their characteristics are covered in the Fabric Selection Guide. It is highly recommended that you read that section carefully before selecting a fabric for your cover. The sewn system is characterized by one-piece fabric covers. It is a two step cover attachment method in which the cover is made first, then attached to the frame as a separate step. The one-pieced covers are made by sewing (or heat welding) individual fabric panels together. The frame attachment is achieved by a system of laces along the cover's edge that tie the cover to lace-bars. Because sewn covers are one piece, they are usually quite large, and require folding for transport. Since some fabrics cannot be folded without causing permanent damage, the sewn system limits fabric selection. The staple-in system is characterized by aluminum frames to which covers are attached by way of stapling. More information on how the staples hold the fabric to the frame is given on this section. The staple-in system is a one step cover attachment method because it joins fabric panels together and attaches them to the frame simultaneously. This method is proven to be the most efficient and durable way to attach awning and canopy covers, and accommodates all varieties of fabrics. Because of its wide use and popularity with manufacturers, the staple-in attachment method is the focus of this manual. Code Compliance & Structural Analysis Most written specifications for fabric structures call for the fabricator to show code compliance and to guarantee structural integrity. Although this is a standard practice, it is highly recommended that the architect investigate these matters early in the design phase of the building. Most awning and canopy fabrication shops are unfamiliar with structural analysis and the advanced procedures related to local, state, and national code compliance. Where structural analysis is required to show compliance, it is highly recommended that the structural engineer for the building project also perform the calculations for the awning or canopy frame. This helps coordinate the loads from the fabric structure into the building's structural calculations. It is best for the engineer to work directly with the awning and canopy fabricator to develop a frame that is both structurally sound, and within the standard construction practices of the fabricator.

Warranty: Fabric & Frame

Awnings  Warranty: This limited warranty is valid only if a copy of the invoice for the item purchased is submitted showing date of original purchase. What Is Covered? This limited warranty covers the Awning becoming unserviceable because of loss of color or strength from normal usage and exposure conditions, including sunlight, mildew and atmospheric chemicals. Consumer is responsible for normal care and cleaning of the fabric. This warranty covers fabric only. Glen Raven's liability is expressly limited to this warranty. How Long Is The Coverage Period? For Sunbrella®, Sunbrella Plus® and Sunbrella Firesist® this limited warranty coverage runs for five years from the date of original installation. What Will Glen Raven Do? Glen Raven will supply new fabric free to replace the fabric that becomes unserviceable. How Can You Get Service? Call the dealer or retailer from whom you purchased the product, to inspect the claim. They, in turn, will contact the manufacturer of the item purchased. The manufacturer will then contact Glen Raven and secure replacement fabric for you.

2 - Steel Stitch

Now specifiers can choose between the original Steel Stitch"' aluminum extrusions and the new steel staple-in tube - GatorStitchTM. GatorStitch 'M is a 1" square, 1 8-gauge, galvanized steel tube with a staple-in channel along one side. The staple-in channel accepts the fabric. The fabric is attached inside the channel with staples, in the same manner as with our aluminum extrusions. The ZipStrip' trim cap then encloses the staplingchannel (See Figure 1). Note that the interior stapling platform is composed of aluminum. Aluminum is the material of choice for the stapling platform because it is ideally suited as a staple receptor. Given the proper alloy and temper, aluminum is soft enough to allow stapling with common pneumatically actuated staplers, yet offers sufficient tensile strength and elasticity to provide superior pullout resistance. Over thirty years of successful field application affirms the use of aluminum as the optimal stapling platform. The incorporation of an aluminum stapling platform requires a barrier between the aluminum and the steel tube body.

Corrosion Resistance
Triple-layered protective barrier protects the GatorStitch'" inside and out. (See exploded view below)

Versatility
GatorStitch'" steel staple-in tubing can be utilized with the same design and fabrication capabilities as our aluminum framing system. It can be bent, cut, and welded into virtually any shape structure and then covered with the full range of awning and flexible face fabrics.

Fabric structures built with GatorSlitchim feature the same characteristics as those built with our aluminum framing system including:

Wrinkle Free Covers

Clean Lines/No Lacing

Improved Cover Durability

On-Site Repair Capability

More Efficient Disbursement of Loads to Frame Structure

WHY STEEL?
Strength
If you are concerned with high levels of snow or wind loads, GatorStitchTM steel tubing can satisfy both your-technical and aesthetic requirements. GatorStitch TM frames can be fabricated in conjunction with Gatorshiekr galvanized structural steel tubing to yield structures substantially stronger than those built with aluminum.

Cost
Structural grade steel is approximately 40% less expensive than structural grade aluminum. The superior strength of steel allows for less metal to be used in achieving the same strength structure. Combined, these two facts can substantially reduce the cost of the finished product helping you to reduce your project cost.
--APIPMk
99.99% Pure Zinc, (G90 Coating Thickness) Conversion Coating Clear Epoxy

1 (.2 - .3 mil Thickness)

Figure 1
ZipStrip    Fabric

Warranty:

Awnings  Warranty:
This limited warranty is valid only if a copy of the invoice for the item purchased is submitted showing date of original purchase.
What Is Covered?
This limited warranty covers the fabric becoming unserviceable because of loss of color or strength from normal usage and exposure conditions, including sunlight, mildew and atmospheric chemicals. Consumer is responsible for normal care and cleaning of the fabric. This warranty covers fabric only. Glen Raven's liability is expressly limited to this warranty.
How Long Is The Coverage Period?
For Sunbrella®, Sunbrella Plus® and Sunbrella Firesist® this limited warranty coverage runs for five years from the date of original installation.
What Will Glen Raven Do?
Glen Raven will supply new fabric free to replace the fabric that becomes unserviceable.
How Can You Get Service?
Call the dealer or retailer from whom you purchased the product, to inspect the claim. They, in turn, will contact the manufacturer of the item purchased. The manufacturer will then contact Glen Raven and secure replacement fabric for you.