ShadeMaker vs. SunSetter Retractable Awnings: Is the Famous Brand the Best Buy?
SunSetter is the name most people know — decades of TV and magazine advertising will do that. And there's something real behind it: SunSetter awnings are assembled in Malden, Massachusetts, and the motorized models use Somfy motors. That's a legitimately American, brand-name product.
So why would you look past the household name to the ShadeMaker line at 1800Awnings.com? Because "well-known" and "heavy-duty" aren't the same thing.
Consumer-Grade vs. Architectural-Grade
SunSetter is engineered for the mass market — broad price points, lighter frames and arms, and more limited width and projection options. It's a very good entry-to-mid-grade awning, and for a modest deck on a budget, it makes sense.
ShadeMaker is built at the architectural-grade end:
- Heavy-duty extruded aluminum frames and arms engineered for Florida wind and heat.
- Widths up to 29 feet and projections up to 12 feet on the Helios™ — far beyond typical consumer awning spans.
- Adjustable front-bar pitch with a dual-cable tension arm system, so you can manage low-sun glare and steer light rain off the sides.
- Over 150 genuine Sunbrella® solution-dyed acrylic fabrics.
If you've ever stood under a lighter awning rattling and fluttering in a gust, you understand why frame weight matters. That's the gap.
Both Use Somfy — So Compare the Rest
Here's the fair part: on motorized models, both brands can use Somfy, so the motor isn't the differentiator here (it is against the budget brands). The decision comes down to frame strength, available size, engineering features, fabric selection, and how much awning you get for the money.
Price and Buying
ShadeMaker is sold factory-direct with free shipping and 0% APR financing — built to your exact dimensions in Tampa by a 37-year manufacturer. You're buying a custom, heavier system rather than a boxed consumer product.
Bottom Line
| ShadeMaker | SunSetter | |
|---|---|---|
| Grade | Architectural / heavy-duty | Consumer / entry-mid |
| Max size | Up to 29' W × 12' P (Helios™) | More limited |
| Motor | Somfy® | Somfy® (motorized) |
| Pitch control | Adjustable (Helios™) | Fixed |
| Made | Tampa, FL (custom) | Malden, MA (assembled) |
Choose SunSetter if you want the famous name at a mass-market price for a smaller deck. Choose ShadeMaker if you want a heavier, larger, custom-built awning engineered to last — without paying for the advertising budget.
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.