A cassette retractable awning rolls its fabric into an aluminum housing when it closes. A semi-cassette has a hood over the top of the rolled fabric; a full cassette closes completely, sealing the fabric, arms and roller inside. 1800Awnings builds and ships Shademaker cassette awnings from Tampa, Florida, with optional integrated LED lighting in the arms and front bar, Somfy® motors, Sunbrella® fabric and free shipping to the lower 48 states.
Shop the Shademaker Apollo™ semi-cassette & full cassette awning →
Semi-Cassette vs Full Cassette at a Glance
|
Semi-Cassette |
Full Cassette |
| What covers the awning when closed |
A hood over the top of the fabric roll |
A sealed box around fabric, roller and folded arms |
| Arms protected when closed |
No — visible below the hood |
Yes — fully enclosed |
| Look when retracted |
Slim hood with arms tucked beneath |
A clean, flush aluminum box |
| Best for |
Patios under an overhang or soffit, sheltered walls |
Coastal homes, exposed walls, high-end projects |
| Shademaker Apollo™ starting price |
$5,639 (11 ft x 8'-2") |
$6,450 (11 ft x 8'-2") |
Which Cassette Should You Choose?
Choose a semi-cassette if…
- The awning mounts under a roof overhang, soffit or balcony that already shelters it
- You want cassette styling and fabric protection at a lower price
- You live inland, away from salt air
Choose a full cassette if…
- The awning is on an exposed wall that takes direct rain, sun and wind
- You live near the coast — salt air, pollen and humidity stay out of the closed box
- You want the cleanest possible look when the awning is closed
- You want the longest life from your fabric, arms and LED lighting
At the same size, the Apollo™ full cassette costs roughly $800–$1,000 more than the semi-cassette. For most Florida and Gulf Coast homes, that premium pays for itself in fabric and hardware life.
Retractable Awnings with Integrated LED Lighting
LED lighting turns a daytime shade into an evening outdoor room. On Shademaker awnings, the LEDs are built into the arms and/or front bar with concealed wiring — no clip-on strips or exposed cords.
-
LED arm lights: strips set into the underside of each folding arm, casting light down onto the patio
-
LED front bar light: a strip along the front bar for wider, even coverage
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Warm or cool white, dimmable, controlled from the Somfy® remote
- Can be synchronized with awning operation and connected to smart-home control
| Model |
Housing |
Widths |
Max projection |
LED options |
From |
| Shademaker Apollo™ |
Semi-cassette or full cassette |
11–23 ft |
13 ft |
Apollo Night Series™ arm LEDs (2-arm $789, 3-arm $1,091) + optional front bar |
$5,639 |
| Shademaker Zeus™ |
Low-profile cassette |
9–40 ft |
13 ft |
Zeus Night Series™ arm LEDs, warm or cool (2-arm $753, 3-arm $1,055, 4-arm $1,506) |
$4,322 |
| Shademaker Hercules™ |
Heavy-duty with hood |
17–40 ft |
16'-6" |
Front bar LED ($682, includes receiver + remote) |
$9,477 |
What Every Shademaker Cassette Awning Includes
- Somfy® motor with remote — 5-year manufacturer warranty
- Sunbrella® fabric, 150+ colors — 10-year manufacturer warranty
- Powder-coated aluminum frame in Alpine (white), Onyx (black), Walnut (dark bronze) or Sierra (neutral bronze)
- Sealed-bearing arms with a concealed internal tension system
- Optional wind, sun and rain sensors for automatic operation
- Made to order, typically shipped in 2–3 weeks, free shipping to the lower 48 states
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a cassette retractable awning?
A cassette retractable awning is a motorized or manual awning whose fabric rolls up into a protective aluminum housing (the cassette) when it retracts. The housing protects the fabric from rain, sun, dirt and birds while the awning is closed, and gives it a cleaner look than an open-roll awning.
What is the difference between a full cassette and a semi-cassette awning?
A semi-cassette (also called a half cassette) has a hood covering only the top of the rolled fabric, leaving the arms and underside exposed. A full cassette closes completely, enclosing the fabric, roller and folded arms in a sealed box. Full cassettes protect better and look cleaner; semi-cassettes cost less.
Is a full cassette awning worth the extra cost?
For exposed walls and coastal homes, usually yes. Keeping the fabric, arms and LED lighting sealed away when not in use reduces UV fading, mildew, corrosion and dirt buildup. If the awning is already sheltered by an overhang, a semi-cassette gives most of the benefit for less.
Can a retractable awning have built-in LED lights?
Yes. Shademaker Apollo™ and Zeus™ awnings offer LED lighting built into the arms, and Apollo™ and Hercules™ offer an LED front bar. The lights are dimmable, come in warm or cool white, and run from the same Somfy® remote as the awning.
How much does a full cassette retractable awning with LED lights cost?
At 1800Awnings, a Shademaker Apollo™ full cassette starts at $6,450 (11 ft wide x 8'-2" projection) and runs to $11,200 (23 ft x 13 ft). Adding Apollo Night Series™ LED arm lights costs $789 for a 2-arm awning or $1,091 for a 3-arm awning. Motorization and shipping to the lower 48 states are included.
How long do cassette retractable awnings last?
Shademaker awnings carry a 10-year Sunbrella® fabric warranty and a 5-year Somfy® motor warranty. A full cassette extends the service life of fabric and arms because they are sealed away from weather whenever the awning is closed.
Do you ship cassette awnings nationwide?
Yes. Every awning is built to order at our Tampa, Florida facility and ships free to all 48 contiguous states, typically 2–3 weeks from order. Call 1-800-AWNINGS (296-4647) or request a quote for help sizing your awning.
