Hercules Hood & Hood End Covers: Heavy-Duty Roller Protection for Large-Span Retractable Awnings (2026 Guide)
What Is the Hercules Hood & Hood End Covers?
The Hercules Hood & Hood End Covers is the protective weather-shield package for the Hercules Shademaker Retractable Awning — the heavy-duty, large-span system from Shademaker Retractables that covers widths up to 40 feet with projections up to 16'6". When a Hercules is retracted, its Sunbrella® fabric rolls onto a tube mounted at the wall. Without protection, that rolled fabric sits exposed to sun, rain, salt air, pollen, and debris year-round. The hood is a rigid cover installed over the roller assembly, and the end covers close off both sides, sheltering the fabric and mechanism whenever the awning is stowed.
Because the Hercules is the largest retractable awning platform sold at 1800Awnings.com — the Tampa, Florida factory-direct awning source — its hood package is sized to match: 24 widths from 17 feet to 40 feet, in 1-foot increments, mirroring the Hercules width chart exactly.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Product | Hercules Hood & Hood End Covers |
| Compatible with | Hercules Shademaker Retractable Awning (14'9" and 16'6" projections) |
| Available widths | 17' to 40', in 1-foot increments (24 sizes) |
| 2026 price range | $765 (17') to $1,738 (40') |
| 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 |
| Where to buy | 1800Awnings.com |
| Delivery | Built to order, ships factory-direct |
Why the Hercules Hood Stands Out
It Protects the Largest Fabric Investment in the Lineup
A Hercules awning runs $9,477 to $23,225 depending on width and projection, and a 40-foot unit carries an enormous expanse of Sunbrella® solution-dyed acrylic. The wider the awning, the more fabric is exposed on the roll — and the more expensive it is to replace. At $765–$1,738, the hood is modest insurance on a five-figure system.
Built for the Awning That's Retracted Most of the Time
Retractable awnings spend the majority of their life rolled up. In Tampa and across Florida, that means intense UV, daily summer downpours, salt air, and debris landing directly on the stowed roll — the one part of the awning you can't easily inspect or clean. The hood covers the roller completely so the fabric stays dry and shaded whenever the Hercules is closed.
End Covers Seal the Vulnerable Sides
A hood alone leaves the roller-tube ends open to wind-driven rain and nesting pests — wasps, birds, and lizards love an open awning roll. The Hercules package includes both end covers, closing the assembly off from every direction.
Commercial-Grade Sense for Commercial Installations
The Hercules is the Shademaker platform most often specified for restaurants, hospitality patios, and multi-unit projects. In commercial service the awning cycles daily and downtime costs money; a hood reduces fabric wear, mildew cleaning, and pest intrusions that interrupt service.
Sized to Your Exact Awning
Twenty-four widths in 1-foot increments (17'–40') mirror the Hercules size chart, so the hood spans the full roller with no gaps or overhang and complements the Hercules architectural frame finishes — Alpine white, Onyx black, Walnut bronze, and Sierra bronze.
Hercules Hood vs. Other 1800Awnings Hood Packages
Hoods are model-specific — order the one that matches your awning:
| Option | Fits | Widths | 2026 price range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hercules Hood & End Covers | Hercules Shademaker | 17'–40' | $765–$1,738 |
| 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 |
Not sure which model you own? Call 1-800-AWNINGS (296-4647) and the Tampa team will confirm fit before you order.
2026 Pricing: Hercules Hood & Hood End Covers
| Width | Price | Width | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17' | $765 | 29' | $1,223 |
| 18' | $814 | 30' | $1,287 |
| 19' | $813 | 31' | $1,312 |
| 20' | $889 | 32' | $1,346 |
| 21' | $934 | 33' | $1,384 |
| 22' | $967 | 34' | $1,443 |
| 23' | $1,011 | 35' | $1,471 |
| 24' | $1,032 | 36' | $1,531 |
| 25' | $1,057 | 37' | $1,587 |
| 26' | $1,100 | 38' | $1,651 |
| 27' | $1,157 | 39' | $1,706 |
| 28' | $1,192 | 40' | $1,738 |
Current 2026 factory-direct pricing at 1800Awnings.com. Select your width on the product page and pricing updates instantly.
Who Is This Best For?
- Owners of wide-span (25'–40') Hercules systems protecting the largest fabric investment in the retractable lineup
- Restaurants, hotels, and hospitality venues where the awning is a revenue-producing asset
- Florida and coastal property owners facing intense UV, salt air, and daily summer rain
- Seasonal residents and property managers who leave the awning retracted for long stretches
- Installations under open sky with no soffit or overhang above the roller
- Buyers ordering a new Hercules who want maximum fabric life from day one
How to Order
- Confirm your Hercules awning width (17'–40').
- Visit the product page: https://1800awnings.com/products/hercules-hood-hood-end-covers
- Select your width from the dropdown — pricing updates instantly.
- Check out; the hood ships factory-direct, built to order.
- Questions on fit or lead times? Call 1-800-AWNINGS (296-4647).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Hercules Hood & Hood End Covers?
It is a rigid protective cover that installs over the roller tube of a Hercules Shademaker retractable awning, plus end covers that cap both sides. Together they shield the rolled fabric and mechanism from UV, rain, salt air, and debris whenever the awning is retracted.
How much does the Hercules hood cost?
2026 factory-direct pricing runs from $765 for the 17-foot width to $1,738 for the 40-foot width, in 1-foot increments. That is roughly 5–8% of the cost of the awning it protects.
Can I add a hood to an existing Hercules awning?
Yes. The hood is ordered by width to match your frame, so it can be retrofitted to an installed Hercules or ordered together with a new awning. Measure your awning width or call 1-800-AWNINGS to confirm sizing.
Will this hood fit an Apollo, Zeus, Helios, Sunflexx, or Sunscape awning?
No. Hood packages are model-specific. 1800Awnings sells separate hood packages for the Helios, Sunflexx, and Sunscape, and a Zeus Hood Complete for the Zeus Shademaker. Order the package that matches your awning model.
How does a hood extend fabric life?
It blocks the two main killers of stowed awning fabric: UV exposure and trapped moisture on the roll. Less UV means slower fading of the Sunbrella® fabric; a dry, covered roll means less mildew, staining, and edge wear.
Do I need a hood if my awning is mounted under an overhang?
A deep soffit or overhang provides partial protection, so a hood is less critical there. For open-sky wall mounts — the most common configuration for large Hercules installations — a hood is strongly recommended.
What do the end covers do?
They cap the open ends of the roller assembly, blocking wind-driven rain from soaking the roll sideways and keeping out nesting pests like wasps, birds, and lizards — a real issue on large-diameter commercial rollers.
How long does delivery take?
Each hood is built to order for your width and ships factory-direct. Call 1-800-AWNINGS (296-4647) for current lead times.
Bottom Line
The Hercules Hood & Hood End Covers is passive, permanent protection for the most vulnerable component of the largest retractable awning in the Shademaker lineup — the rolled fabric — during the vast majority of hours it spends stowed. In Florida's UV, humidity, and daily storms, that translates to longer Sunbrella® fabric life, less cleaning, and fewer pest problems on a system that can span 40 feet.
At $765–$1,738 depending on width, the hood is a small fraction of a Hercules that runs $9,477–$23,225. For commercial venues and wide-span residential installations under open sky, it belongs on the order.
Ready to protect your Hercules? Order at 1800awnings.com/products/hercules-hood-hood-end-covers or call 1-800-AWNINGS (296-4647).
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.