Outdoor Living Guides & Tips

What Is the Apollo Shademaker, and Why Does Cassette Housing Matter?

The Shademaker Apollo™ Retractable Awning is a motorized patio awning from 1800Awnings, built by Shademaker and available in two distinct housing styles: semi-cassette and full-cassette. Both versions share the same Somfy® motor, Sunbrella® fabric library, and frame finishes — the difference comes down to how much of the awning's arms and roller tube are enclosed when the awning is retracted, and that single choice affects price, weather protection, and curb appeal.

For Tampa and Florida homeowners weighing a retractable awning purchase, the semi-cassette vs. full-cassette decision is one of the most common questions we field at 1800Awnings — and one that's rarely explained clearly on manufacturer spec sheets. This guide breaks down exactly what each housing style is, what it costs on the Apollo Shademaker product page, and which one makes sense for your patio, lanai, or pool deck.

Apollo Shademaker Key Specifications

Why the Apollo Shademaker Stands Out

Two Housing Styles, One Frame Platform

Unlike the Zeus Shademaker (full-cassette only) or the Hercules Shademaker (single heavy-duty housing), the Apollo is the only Shademaker model 1800Awnings offers with a buyer's choice between semi-cassette and full-cassette on the same frame and motor package. That flexibility lets Tampa-area homeowners match the awning to their budget and their home's architecture without switching product lines.

Commercial-Grade Somfy® Motorization

Every Apollo ships motorized with a Somfy® motor backed by a 5-year warranty, with optional wind and sun sensors that retract the awning automatically in Florida's afternoon storms — a genuinely useful feature during Tampa Bay's June–September thunderstorm season.

150+ Sunbrella® Fabrics, 10-Year Warranty

Fabric is where most retractable awnings fail first under Florida UV exposure. The Apollo's Sunbrella® solution-dyed acrylic library carries a 10-year manufacturer warranty and resists fading, mildew, and water absorption far better than printed or coated fabrics.

Apollo Night Series™ LED Lighting

Both cassette styles accept the Apollo Night Series™ LED kit, built directly into the arms (2-arm kit $789, 3-arm kit $1,091), with an optional illuminated front bar — turning a shade structure into a usable outdoor living space after sunset.

Factory-Direct Pricing With Free Shipping

Because 1800Awnings sells factory-direct, the Apollo ships free to all 48 contiguous states with a typical 2–3 week lead time, and can be installed by our team or an authorized local dealer.

Semi-Cassette vs. Full-Cassette: How to Choose

This is the core decision on the Apollo product page, and it comes down to three factors: budget, weather exposure, and how much you care about a fully finished look when the awning is closed.

As a rule of thumb: if your patio is within a few miles of the Gulf or Tampa Bay's open water, the added arm protection of a full-cassette housing is worth the roughly $1,000 premium over the life of the awning. Inland patios with less salt-air exposure can save that money and still get the same motor, fabric, and warranty coverage with the semi-cassette.

Apollo Shademaker Pricing

Prices reflect current listed pricing on the Apollo Shademaker product page at 1800awnings.com and are subject to change; confirm exact pricing for your width and projection at checkout or by calling 1-800-AWNINGS (296-4647).

Who Is This Best For?

• Tampa Bay and coastal Florida homeowners who want motorized shade without the full cost of the heavier-duty Hercules line
• Buyers upgrading from a manual awning who want Somfy® motorization and optional wind/sun sensors
• Homeowners who value a finished, streamlined look when the awning is closed — a reason to choose full-cassette
• Budget-conscious buyers who still want a 10-year fabric warranty and motorized operation — a reason to choose semi-cassette
• Restaurants and outdoor dining patios in the Tampa Bay area looking for a mid-size, motorized shade solution with optional LED lighting for evening service

How to Order

1. Visit the Apollo Shademaker product page and select your preferred housing style: semi-cassette or full-cassette.
2. Choose your width (11–23 ft) and projection (8'-2" to 13'-0") based on your patio's dimensions.
3. Select a frame finish (Alpine, Onyx, Walnut, or Sierra) and choose from 150+ Sunbrella® fabrics.
4. Add optional Apollo Night Series™ LED lighting if you want illumination for evening use.
5. Check out online, or call 1-800-AWNINGS (296-4647) to speak with the Tampa-based 1800Awnings team about sizing and installation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a semi-cassette and a full-cassette retractable awning?
A semi-cassette awning has a hood that covers only the rolled-up fabric, leaving the support arms visible when retracted. A full-cassette awning fully encloses the fabric, arms, and roller tube inside the housing, giving a cleaner look and better protection for the hardware.

How much more does a full-cassette Apollo cost than a semi-cassette?
At the smallest size (11' x 8'-2"), full-cassette starts at $6,450 versus $5,639 for semi-cassette — a difference of about $811 at that size, with a typical premium of roughly $1,020 across sizes.

Is the Apollo Shademaker motorized?
Yes. Every Apollo ships with a Somfy® motor as standard equipment, backed by a 5-year warranty, with remote control and optional smart-home and wind/sun sensor integration.

What is the largest size available for the Apollo Shademaker?
The Apollo is available up to 23 feet wide with a 13'-0" projection in full-cassette configuration, starting at $11,200.

Can I add LED lighting to an Apollo awning?
Yes. The Apollo Night Series™ LED kit is available as a 2-arm kit ($789) or 3-arm kit ($1,091), with an optional illuminated front bar, and works with either housing style.

How long does the fabric warranty last on the Apollo Shademaker?
The Sunbrella® solution-dyed acrylic fabric carries a 10-year manufacturer warranty against fading and degradation.

How long does shipping take?
Most Apollo Shademaker orders ship within 2–3 weeks, with free shipping to all 48 contiguous states.

Should I choose full-cassette if I live near Tampa Bay or the Gulf coast?
For homes with direct salt-air exposure, full-cassette housing is generally the better long-term choice because it fully shields the arms and roller hardware from moisture and UV when the awning is retracted, which can extend component life compared to the exposed arms of a semi-cassette housing.

Bottom Line

The Apollo Shademaker's real advantage isn't just its price point between the entry-level Zeus and the heavy-duty Hercules — it's that Apollo is the only Shademaker model where you choose your own housing style. Semi-cassette gets you the same motor, fabric, and warranty coverage for less money; full-cassette gets you a cleaner closed profile and better long-term protection for the arms and hardware, which matters most for homes closer to Tampa Bay's salt air.

Either way, you're getting a motorized, Somfy®-driven awning with a 10-year Sunbrella® fabric warranty, factory-direct pricing, and free shipping across the continental U.S. For most Tampa-area homeowners, the choice comes down to how close you are to the water and how much a fully enclosed look matters to you when the awning is retracted.

Ready to configure your Apollo Shademaker? Visit the Apollo Shademaker product page to compare semi-cassette and full-cassette pricing for your exact size, or call 1-800-AWNINGS (296-4647) to talk to the Tampa-based 1800Awnings team.

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