The 1800Awnings Dealer Product Line: What to Carry, What Sells, and What Wins Bids
New dealers almost always ask the same question first: which of these do I actually lead with? The 1800Awnings catalog spans an entry-level retractable awning to a six-figure louvered pergola package on a hospitality build, and the products are not interchangeable. This guide breaks the line down the way a dealer needs to see it — by customer, by ticket, by install difficulty, and by how fast it moves.
Not a dealer yet? Start with Become a 1800Awnings Dealer, then apply on the B2B page or call 1-800-AWNINGS (296-4647).
The Five Families at a Glance
| Family | What it is | Ticket | Install difficulty | Sells best to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retractable awnings | Motorized or manual fabric systems on arms; extend and retract | Mid to high | Moderate to high | Homeowners with patios and decks; restaurant seating |
| Aluminum canopies | Fixed, permanent architectural metal structures | Low to high | Low to moderate | Commercial entries, storefronts, walkways, multifamily |
| Bahama shutters | Fixed hinged shade panels over windows | Low, sold in multiples | Low | Coastal and Florida-style homes, hospitality |
| Standing seam awnings | Fixed metal awnings over windows and doors | Low to mid | Low | Traditional residential, small commercial |
| Louvered pergolas | Renson engineered roof systems, motorized louvers | Highest | Highest | Luxury residential, hospitality, high-end outdoor living |
Retractable Awnings: The Volume Category
Retractable fabric awnings are the largest residential opportunity in the line. The customer already knows they want one — your job is to size it, mount it, and pick the right platform. Retail pricing runs from entry-level residential units into five figures for wide motorized systems; confirm current pricing on each product page and your own cost in your B2B portal.
| System | Position it for |
|---|---|
| Apollo Shademaker | Residential patios and decks; motorized drop shade and arm LED options make it an easy upsell |
| Hercules Shademaker | Large-span patios; aluminum torsion bar upgrade and full-width front bar LED |
| Zeus Shademaker | Design-forward residential and commercial; Zeus Night Series™ integrated LED with concealed wiring |
| Helios™ Adjustable Front Bar System | Adjustable pitch after extension; the answer for tricky elevations thanks to the roof mount option |
| Sunscape® by Eastern Awning Systems | Classic residential retractable; hood and end covers, motor options |
| Sunflexx® by Eastern Awning Systems | Residential retractable with drop valance and wind/rain package availability |
What actually closes retractable jobs
- Motorization. Very few customers who see a motorized unit choose a crank. Lead with motorized.
- Wind sensors. Present them as part of the system, not an option. On any wide span they protect the customer's investment and your callback rate.
- Integrated lighting. Arm LEDs and full-width front bar LEDs turn a shade purchase into an outdoor-living purchase and lift the ticket meaningfully.
- Hood and end covers. Protects the fabric roll when retracted. Easy to justify, easy to attach to the quote.
- Fabric selection. A large Sunbrella® selection is a closing tool. Bring samples.
Where retractable jobs go wrong
Almost always the mount. Low soffits, deep second-floor overhangs, gutters in the mounting plane, screen enclosure headers, and stucco band trim all break a standard wall mount. This is not a reason to walk away — roof mount options solve many of these — but it is specified at order time, not retrofitted. Photograph the elevation and confirm with us before you quote.
Aluminum Canopies: The Commercial Workhorse
If you work commercial facades, this is your bread and butter. Fixed aluminum canopies are permanent, low-maintenance, and specified in volume across retail centers, multifamily, self-storage, medical, and industrial properties. One property manager relationship can generate repeat canopy orders for years.
| Series | Profile | Best application |
|---|---|---|
| G-Series (6", 8", 10", 12") | Gutter-edge architectural canopy in four fascia depths | Storefronts, entries, doors; the depth options let you scale the look to the building |
| T-Series Open Tube | Exposed tube framing, open architectural look | Retail, restaurant, modern commercial where the structure is part of the design |
| C-Channel Series | Clean channel edge | Walkways, covered entries, institutional |
| Cantilever Series | Unsupported projection, no posts | Loading doors, drive-through paths, anywhere posts are unacceptable |
Canopies are also the easiest place to start as a new installing dealer: no motors, no fabric tensioning, and the mounting logic is the same structural thinking you already apply. Order them fully assembled and crated when crew time is the expensive part of the job.
Bahama Shutters: The Fast Multiple-Unit Sale
Bahama shutters sell in sets, not singles — a house buys six, eight, or twelve. They install quickly, they change a facade dramatically, and on coastal and Florida-style elevations they close on looks alone. Four styles cover the range:
- ShadeView — the classic louvered Bahama look
- ClearView — shade with a more open sightline from inside
- DecoView — decorative profile for architectural character
- FauxView — the look at a lower entry point
Pair them with ARCHEX USA aluminum wood grain and you have a product that reads as painted wood shutters from the street and never needs to be repainted. That combination is one of the strongest differentiators in the entire catalog.
Standing Seam Awnings: Simple, Sturdy, Traditional
Fixed metal awnings over windows and doors — the S-Series with closed ends and the O-Series with open ends. Low install difficulty, low complexity, and strong appeal on traditional, craftsman, and historic elevations where a fabric awning would look wrong. Good add-on when you are already on site for canopies or shutters.
Louvered Pergolas: The Top of the Market
Renson louvered pergolas are the highest-ticket products in the line and require the most capable crew. They are engineered roof systems with rotating or retracting louvers, integrated drainage, and motorized control — a genuine architectural installation, not an awning.
| Model | Roof type |
|---|---|
| Camargue® | Rotating louvered roof |
| Camargue® Skye | Retractable louvered roof |
| Algarve® | Louvered roof |
| Algarve® Canvas | Fixed canvas roof |
| Aero® | Integrated louvered roof |
| Aero® Skye | Retractable integrated louvered roof |
| Aero® Canvas | Fixed canvas roof |
| Lapure® | Retractable fabric roof |
Sell these to luxury residential, hospitality, and high-end outdoor living clients. Take them on once your crew has real reps on the simpler categories — and call us early in the design conversation, not after the customer has an expectation.
ARCHEX USA Wood Grain: The Upsell That Differentiates You
Our in-house finishing division uses advanced European sublimation technology to embed woodgrain patterns directly into powder-coated aluminum. It is UV-resistant and fade-proof, maintenance-free, corrosion-resistant, and built for harsh coastal climates. It is not vinyl, not film, and not a sticker — and it is exclusive to 1800Awnings.com.
For a dealer this is the single easiest differentiator in a competitive bid. When the customer wants the warmth of a wood pergola or wood shutters but has been warned about maintenance, this is the answer nobody else in the room can offer.
How to Sequence Your Line
- Lead with what your existing customers already need. A roofer leads with canopies and standing seam. A pool builder leads with pergolas and retractables. A coastal remodeler leads with Bahama shutters.
- Master one family before adding the next. Reps beat breadth in year one.
- Attach options aggressively. Motors, sensors, lighting, hoods, and wood grain finishes are where a bid becomes profitable.
- Use duplicate-order. When a configuration works, save it as a shopping list and reorder it in one click for the next customer.
- Quote freight honestly. Your B2B account shows shipping cost before you complete the order. Put the real number in the bid.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which product should a brand-new dealer start with?
Fixed aluminum — canopies, standing seam awnings, and Bahama shutters. No motors, no fabric tensioning, forgiving install, and the mounting logic transfers directly from most construction trades. Move into retractables once you are confident on structural attachment and sealing.
What has the highest ticket?
Renson louvered pergolas, by a wide margin, followed by wide motorized retractable awnings with lighting and sensor packages, then large commercial canopy packages.
What has the fastest install?
Bahama shutters and small fixed canopies — frequently same-day for a two-person crew. Order fully assembled and crated to make them faster still.
Can I mix categories on one order?
Yes. One account, one portal, one freight conversation across retractables, canopies, shutters, standing seam, and pergolas.
Are all of these custom-sized?
We build to the exact inch. Standard sizes exist on the website for fast ordering, but custom dimensions are normal production, not a special favor. That is frequently how you win a bid against a catalog-size competitor.
Do I get product data and specifications?
Yes — approved dealers get product data, specifications, and configuration support, plus direct access to the technicians who build the product at 1-800-AWNINGS (296-4647).
The Bottom Line
The line is deep enough that you do not need to carry all of it to build a business, and deliberately broad enough that you rarely have to tell a customer no. Start where your existing customer base already points you, master that family, attach the options, and expand into the higher-ticket categories as your crew earns the reps.
Ready to carry the line? Apply on the 1800Awnings B2B dealer page or call 1-800-AWNINGS (296-4647).
Related reading: Become a 1800Awnings Dealer · Become an Awning Installer · The Business Case for Adding Awnings · Dealer Program FAQ
Written by Corey Courtright | 1800Awnings.com | Tampa, FL
Written by Corey Courtright
Second-Generation Awning Manufacturer & Industry Expert
Corey Courtright is a second-generation awning manufacturer and a recognized innovator in aluminum TIG-welded structures within the awning industry. With over 38 years of hands-on experience, he has worked across every facet of the business—from fabrication and sewing to welding, installation, sales, and service—giving him a rare, comprehensive understanding of the craft. Starting his career as a pipe threader, Corey went on to build and lead multiple successful awning companies. Now based in Florida since 2016, he brings deep technical expertise, proven leadership, and a legacy of innovation to every project and insight he shares.