Outdoor Living Guides & Tips

What Is the Apollo Shademaker Retractable Awning?

The Apollo Shademaker Retractable Awning is a motorized, cassette-style retractable awning engineered for residential and light commercial outdoor spaces across Florida and the broader Sun Belt. Available in both Semi-Cassette and Full Cassette configurations, the Apollo™ series from Shademaker delivers architectural-grade shade with push-button simplicity — and it is designed from the ground up to thrive in Tampa's intense heat, UV exposure, and salt-air coastal environment. Unlike budget box-store awnings, every Apollo is built with premium components: Sunbrella® performance fabric and Somfy® motorization, both backed by manufacturer warranties.

Sold exclusively through 1800Awnings.com, the Apollo Shademaker is one of the most complete retractable awning systems available today — blending minimalist design with serious engineering. Whether you are shading a modest 11-foot patio or covering a sprawling 23-foot outdoor living room, there is an Apollo configuration sized to match.

Key Specifications

Why the Apollo Stands Out

Architectural Design That Belongs on Your Home

Most retractable awnings look like afterthoughts — boxy hardware bolted to a wall. The Apollo™ was designed with a minimalist architectural mindset so it integrates visually with your home's exterior rather than clashing with it. In the retracted position, the cassette presents a clean, low-profile silhouette. In the extended position, there are no exposed wires, bulky brackets, or raw mechanical parts visible. The result is an awning system that looks like it was planned into the architecture, not added later.

Sunbrella® Fabric — Real Protection, Real Warranty

The Apollo uses Sunbrella® performance fabric, the gold standard in outdoor textiles with a 10-year manufacturer warranty. Sunbrella® is engineered to resist fading, UV degradation, mold, and mildew — exactly what Florida homeowners need when temperatures soar past 90°F and the humidity never relents. With over 150 fabric color options available, you can match virtually any exterior palette, from coastal neutrals to bold architectural statements.

Somfy® Motorization — The World Standard in Motorized Shading

Somfy® is the global leader in motorized shading systems, and the Apollo is powered by their technology from the start. Operation is smooth, quiet, and precise — with push-button remote control as standard. Optional add-ons include wind sensors (for automatic retraction in gusts), sun sensors (for automatic deployment when UV climbs), and full smart home and app integration. The Somfy® motor system carries a 5-year manufacturer warranty.

Built to Handle Florida's Conditions

The Apollo was specifically designed for the demands of Florida's climate: relentless UV radiation, salt air from coastal proximity, high humidity, and sudden afternoon thunderstorms. The sealed bearing arm components protect against corrosion, the heavy-duty torsion bar maintains structural integrity across large spans, and the powder-coated frame finishes resist fading and peeling far longer than painted alternatives. The description is accurate: this is a Florida Proven system.

Apollo Night Series™ — Shade by Day, Ambiance by Night

The Apollo platform supports a unique upgrade path: the Apollo Night Series™, which integrates LED lighting directly into the awning arms and optional front bar illumination. This fully concealed lighting system delivers warm, ambient light beneath the awning after sunset — with remote control, optional dimming, and synchronization with awning operation. For Tampa homeowners who want to extend their patio entertaining well into the evening, the Night Series transforms an awning into a complete outdoor room.

Semi-Cassette vs. Full Cassette: Which Should You Choose?

The Apollo Shademaker is offered in two cassette configurations, and choosing between them comes down to your budget, environment, and aesthetic priorities.

Choose the Semi-Cassette if you want excellent shade, clean design, and strong performance at a more accessible price point. The protective hood keeps the fabric covered and clean when retracted — a major step up from open-roll systems — while keeping overall cost lower.

Choose the Full Cassette if you live within a mile or two of the Gulf or Atlantic Coast, have a high-end home where every exterior detail matters, or simply want the best possible protection for your investment. The fully enclosed cassette seals the fabric, arms, and internal components completely away from rain, UV, bird traffic, and salt air when the awning is retracted. It is the right call for anyone who wants maximum longevity and a completely flush, architectural appearance.

Apollo Pricing

All prices shown are starting prices for the listed size and projection combination. Contact 1800Awnings.com for full-cassette pricing on additional sizes and for custom fabric and frame selections.

Prices as of June 2026. Select your exact size and configuration on the Apollo Shademaker product page.

Who Is the Apollo Best For?

• Florida and Gulf Coast homeowners who need an awning that can genuinely withstand intense heat, UV, humidity, and salt air — not just cope with it.
• Patio and outdoor living enthusiasts who want to dramatically expand their usable outdoor square footage with shade that deploys and retracts at the press of a button.
• Design-conscious homeowners who refuse to let an awning look like a bolt-on afterthought — the Apollo's architectural profile integrates cleanly with modern and coastal home styles.
• Evening entertainers who want to keep the party going after sunset, especially with the Apollo Night Series™ LED lighting upgrade.
• Smart home adopters who want their awning to integrate with automation systems, respond to wind and sun sensors, and be controllable from a phone app.
• Light commercial operators — restaurants, hospitality venues, or professional offices looking for a refined, durable shade solution with premium materials.
• Buyers who want to buy once — people who have already replaced a cheap awning and are done with that cycle. The Apollo's Sunbrella® fabric, Somfy® motor, and sealed bearing arm system are genuinely built to last.

How to Order Your Apollo Awning

1. Measure your space. Note the width of the area you want to cover and how far out from the wall you need the awning to extend (projection). The Apollo covers widths from 11 to 23 feet and projections from 8'-2" to 13'-0".
2. Choose your configuration. Decide between Semi-Cassette (excellent value, partial fabric protection) and Full Cassette (maximum protection, premium finish). See the comparison section above if you are still deciding.
3. Select your fabric and frame finish. The Apollo is available with 150+ Sunbrella® fabrics and four powder-coated frame colors: Alpine, Onyx, Walnut, and Sierra.
4. Visit the product page. Go to 1800Awnings.com/products/apollo-shademaker-retractable-awning and select your exact size, cassette type, and configuration to see your price.
5. Place your order or call for guidance. If you have questions about sizing, mounting options, or upgrade packages (Night Series, sensors, smart home integration), call the 1800Awnings.com team directly at 1-800-AWNINGS (1-800-296-4647). The team is based in Tampa, FL and specializes in exactly this type of system.
6. Schedule installation. Once your order is placed, coordinate installation with the 1800Awnings.com team. Proper mounting — wall, soffit, or roof — is critical to long-term performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Apollo Shademaker Retractable Awning?
The Apollo Shademaker is a premium motorized retractable awning series from Shademaker, available in Semi-Cassette and Full Cassette configurations. It features Sunbrella® fabric, Somfy® motorization, and is sold through 1800Awnings.com in Tampa, FL. It is designed for residential and light commercial outdoor spaces, particularly in Florida and coastal environments.

What is the difference between a semi-cassette and a full-cassette retractable awning?
A full-cassette awning fully encloses the fabric, arms, and all internal components inside a sealed housing when the awning is retracted, providing maximum protection from weather, UV, birds, and salt air. A semi-cassette uses a protective hood that covers the fabric roll but leaves the arms partially exposed. Both offer significantly better protection than open-roll awnings, but the full cassette is the better choice for coastal locations and high-end applications.

How wide does the Apollo Shademaker come?
The Apollo Shademaker is available in widths from 11 feet to 23 feet, in 1-foot increments. Projections (how far the awning extends from the wall) range from 8'-2" to 13'-0".

What fabric does the Apollo Shademaker use?
The Apollo uses Sunbrella® performance fabric, which carries a 10-year manufacturer warranty. Sunbrella® is fade-resistant, UV-stable, mold-resistant, and mildew-resistant — making it one of the most appropriate choices for Florida's demanding outdoor environment. Over 150 colors are available.

Does the Apollo Shademaker come with a motor?
Yes. The Apollo is motorized using Somfy® systems, the global leader in motorized shading. Standard operation is push-button remote control. Optional upgrades include wind sensors for automatic retraction, sun sensors for automatic deployment, and full smart home and app integration. The Somfy® motor carries a 5-year warranty.

What is the Apollo Night Series?
The Apollo Night Series™ is an upgrade package that integrates LED lighting into the awning arms and optionally the front bar. The lighting is fully concealed, remote-controlled, and can be synchronized with awning operation. It provides warm ambient illumination beneath the awning after dark, effectively turning your patio into a usable outdoor room around the clock.

What frame colors are available for the Apollo Shademaker?
The Apollo frame comes in four powder-coated finishes: Alpine (clean white), Onyx (deep architectural black), Walnut (rich dark bronze), and Sierra (neutral bronze). All finishes are designed to complement modern and coastal architectural styles.

How much does the Apollo Shademaker Retractable Awning cost?
The Apollo Shademaker starts at $5,639 for the Semi-Cassette in the 11' width with an 8'-2" projection. Full Cassette pricing starts at $6,450 for the same size. Larger sizes and longer projections increase the price; the Semi-Cassette 23' / 13'-0" configuration is priced at $10,180. Visit the product page or call 1-800-AWNINGS for a precise quote on your size.

The Bottom Line

The Apollo Shademaker Retractable Awning earns its premium price through genuine premium engineering. Sunbrella® fabric that will not fade after two Florida summers. A Somfy® motor that operates smoothly and quietly for years. Sealed bearing arms that resist corrosion in coastal salt air. A cassette design — in semi or full configuration — that keeps the fabric protected when not in use. And an architectural profile that looks intentional on your home, not bolted on as an afterthought. For Florida homeowners, this is not a luxury purchase; it is the logical choice for anyone who has watched a cheap awning deteriorate in a single season.

The choice between Semi-Cassette and Full Cassette will be determined by your proximity to the coast, your design standards, and your budget — but either way, you are investing in a system that is genuinely built to last. When you factor in the Sunbrella® and Somfy® warranties, the quality of the arm system, and the performance track record in Florida's climate, the Apollo Shademaker represents strong long-term value compared to systems that look similar on spec sheets but deliver far less in practice.

Ready to transform your patio? Shop the Apollo Shademaker Retractable Awning at 1800Awnings.com or call us at 1-800-AWNINGS (1-800-296-4647). Our Tampa-based team is here to help you select the right size, cassette configuration, fabric, and finish for your space.

Written by Corey Courtright | 1800Awnings.com | Tampa, FL