Helios™ Hood & End Covers: Year-Round Roller Protection for Your Adjustable Front Bar Awning (2026 Guide)
What Is the Helios™ Hood & End Covers?
The Helios™ Hood & End Covers is the protective weather-shield add-on for the Helios™ Adjustable Front Bar System retractable awning by Shademaker Retractables (Eclipse Shading Systems). When your Helios is retracted, its Sunbrella® fabric rolls onto a tube mounted at the wall — and without protection, that rolled fabric sits exposed to sun, rain, salt air, and debris year-round. The hood is a rigid cover installed over the roller assembly, and the end covers close off both sides, so the fabric and mechanism are sheltered whenever the awning is stowed.
The Helios hood is available factory-direct from 1800Awnings.com, based in Tampa, Florida. It is ordered by awning width — 18 sizes from 12 feet to 29 feet, in 1-foot increments — so the hood matches the Helios's full width range exactly.
Helios Hood & End Covers: Key Specifications
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Product | Helios™ Hood & Hood End Covers |
| Compatible with | Helios™ Adjustable Front Bar System retractable awning |
| Available widths | 12' to 29', in 1-foot increments (18 sizes) |
| Price range | $536 (12') to $1,170 (29') |
| Function | Shields rolled fabric and roller mechanism from UV, rain, and debris when retracted |
| Includes | Full-width protective hood plus both end covers |
| Brand | Shademaker Retractables (Eclipse Shading Systems) |
| Where to buy | 1800Awnings.com — factory direct |
| Delivery | Built to order, ships factory-direct, free shipping to the 48 contiguous states |
Why the Helios Hood Stands Out
It Protects the Awning During the Time It's Retracted
Most retractable awnings spend far more time rolled up than extended. In Tampa and across Florida, that means the rolled fabric bakes in UV, takes daily summer downpours, and collects pollen, leaves, and debris — all on the part of the awning you can't easily clean. The hood covers the roller completely, so the stowed fabric stays dry, clean, and out of the sun.
End Covers Seal the Vulnerable Sides
A hood alone still leaves the ends of the roller tube open to wind-driven rain and nesting pests — wasps, birds, and lizards love the sheltered cavity of an uncovered awning roller. The Helios package includes both end covers, closing off the sides so the assembly is protected from every direction.
It Protects a Large Fabric Investment
The Helios spans widths up to 29 feet with projections up to 12 feet and over 150 premium Sunbrella® solution-dyed acrylic fabric options, with awning pricing that starts at $4,655 and approaches $10,000 in the largest sizes. Shielding the rolled fabric is the single most effective way to slow fading, mildew, and edge wear — a $536–$1,170 hood protecting thousands of dollars of awning is simple math.
Sized to Your Exact Awning
Because the hood is ordered in 1-foot increments from 12' to 29' — mirroring the Helios size chart — it spans the full width of your frame with no gaps and no overhang, and it complements the awning's standard white architectural finish rather than looking like an aftermarket add-on.
Passive, Permanent Protection
Without a hood, many owners resort to seasonal fabric covers or tarps that have to be installed and removed by ladder. The hood is permanent, passive protection — it works every day with zero effort, rain or shine.
Helios Hood vs. Other Hood Packages: Which One Do You Need?
| Option | Fits | Widths | Price range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Helios Hood & End Covers | Helios™ Adjustable Front Bar System | 12'–29' | $536–$1,170 |
| Sunflexx Hood & End Covers | Sunflexx® retractable awning | 8'–24' | $433–$1,126 |
| Sunscape Hood & End Covers | Sunscape® retractable awning | 8'–24' | $356–$895 |
Hood packages are model-specific — the roller geometry differs between awning lines, so order the hood that matches your awning. Not sure which model you own? Call 1-800-AWNINGS and the Tampa team will confirm compatibility before you order.
2026 Pricing: Helios Hood & End Covers
| Width | Price | Width | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12' | $536 | 21' | $893 |
| 13' | $587 | 22' | $925 |
| 14' | $618 | 23' | $967 |
| 15' | $647 | 24' | $987 |
| 16' | $678 | 25' | $1,012 |
| 17' | $733 | 26' | $1,053 |
| 18' | $778 | 27' | $1,107 |
| 19' | $806 | 28' | $1,140 |
| 20' | $850 | 29' | $1,170 |
All prices are current 2026 factory-direct pricing at 1800Awnings.com with free shipping to the 48 contiguous states. Hoods are built to order to match your awning width.
Who Is This Best For?
- Florida and coastal homeowners whose Helios faces intense UV, salt air, and daily summer rain
- Owners who leave the awning retracted for long stretches — snowbirds, seasonal residents, and vacation-home owners
- Anyone whose awning mounts under open sky with no soffit or overhang above it
- Buyers ordering a new Helios who want maximum fabric life from day one
- Wide-span owners (20'–29') protecting a larger-than-average fabric investment
How to Order
- Measure or confirm your Helios awning width (12'–29').
- Visit the Helios Hood & End Covers product page.
- Select your width from the dropdown — pricing updates instantly.
- Check out; your hood ships factory-direct with free shipping.
- Questions on fit or finish? Call 1-800-AWNINGS (296-4647) — the Tampa-based team will verify compatibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Helios Hood & End Covers?
It is a rigid protective cover mounted over the roller tube of the Helios™ Adjustable Front Bar System, plus end covers that close off both sides. When the awning is retracted, it shields the rolled Sunbrella® fabric and the roller mechanism from UV, rain, and debris.
How much does the Helios hood cost?
The Helios Hood & End Covers runs from $536 for a 12-foot awning to $1,170 for a 29-foot awning, in 1-foot increments. That's current 2026 factory-direct pricing at 1800Awnings.com with free shipping to the lower 48 states.
Can I add the hood to an existing Helios awning?
Yes. The hood is ordered by width (12'–29') to match your existing Helios frame, so it can be added at initial purchase or retrofitted later. Ordering it with the awning is easiest, but retrofits are common.
Will the Helios hood fit a Sunflexx or Sunscape awning?
No — hood packages are model-specific. 1800Awnings.com carries separate Sunflexx ($433–$1,126) and Sunscape ($356–$895) hood packages sized for those rollers. Order the hood that matches your awning model.
How does a hood extend awning fabric life?
UV exposure and trapped moisture are the two main causes of awning fabric fading, mildew, and edge wear. Because a retractable awning spends most of its life rolled up, covering the stowed roll blocks the majority of that exposure, keeping the fabric cleaner and slowing degradation.
Do I really need a hood if my awning is under an overhang?
If your Helios mounts under a deep soffit or roof overhang that fully shelters the roller, a hood is less critical. Most wall-mounted awnings in Florida, though, sit exposed to sun and wind-driven rain, and for those installations the hood is one of the most cost-effective upgrades you can add.
What are the end covers for?
End covers cap the open sides of the hood and roller assembly. They block wind-driven rain from entering the ends and keep out wasps, birds, and other pests that nest in sheltered roller cavities. The Helios package includes both end covers with the hood.
How long does delivery take?
The hood is built to order to your exact width and ships factory-direct with free shipping to all 48 contiguous US states. Call 1-800-AWNINGS (296-4647) for current lead times before you order.
Bottom Line
The Helios™ Hood & End Covers is the quiet workhorse of the Helios accessory lineup. It doesn't tilt, motor, or sense anything — it simply protects your awning's most vulnerable component, the rolled fabric, during the vast majority of hours it spends retracted. In Florida's punishing mix of UV, humidity, and daily summer storms, that passive protection translates directly into longer fabric life, less cleaning, and fewer pest problems.
At $536 to $1,170 depending on width, it's a modest add-on to a premium adjustable-pitch awning that starts at $4,655 and runs to nearly $10,000 in the largest sizes. If your Helios lives under open sky — as most Tampa installations do — the hood should be on your order.
Ready to protect your Helios? Order the Helios Hood & End Covers factory-direct at 1800Awnings.com or call 1-800-AWNINGS (296-4647) to confirm sizing and compatibility.
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.