Retractable coverage at the push of a button
Now with ShadeFX retractable canopies, there is a solution that addresses the needs of outdoor living spaces and the people that use them. No longer are you limited to small outdoor spaces attached to your home, umbrellas that offer little to no protection, or products that do nothing to enhance your outdoor living experience.
Be cool and dry
Only ShadeFX retractable canopies cover large areas and protect you and your furniture from sun and rain.
Easy to install
Adapts to all pergolas, arbors, trellises, and structures and installs easily by you or your contractor.
Style & substance
Each one custom designed to integrate with your living space and withstand the elements.
Capabilities
Our revolutionary ‘Single Track Design’ allows for unparalleled coverage, ease of deployment and unrelenting protection from both the sun and rain. ShadeFX systems are engineered to operate without the need for a slope, providing a virtually flat installation. Our innovative solution facilitates even the most eclectic designs and tastes, while setting the new industry standard in outdoor space utility.
As demonstrated below, our canopy assembly suspends from the single track, producing a peak which forces rain to run on either side of the canopy track.
Flexible Deployment
Diverse shapes, orientation, settings and locations.
Only ShadeFX uses one drive beam located in the middle of the canopy to operate the mechanism. Since there is only one track, there is no need to align ‘tracks’. This allows ShadeFX to mount to frames of all types, including wood, without concern for jamming or binding as the frame may shift over time. Also, having the canopy supported in the center allows rain to shed to the sides. Although rain may pool it will not accumulate excessively. This makes ShadeFX the only retractable canopy system designed to be left out in the wind and rain that mounts to a frame of your design.
Wind & Rain Resistance
ShadeFX retractable canopies are a fully framed canopy system when extended, with the strength to withstand most winds and even heavy rain. ShadeFX has canopy ‘wings’ that spread out from the drive beam support points unlike roll up awnings that rely on fabric tension for support between their front and back without support in between. For this reason, roll out awnings are not recommended to be left extended in the wind or the rain.
Read the “ShadeFX Story” to learn more about the limitations of roll-retractable awnings that inspired the creation of ShadeFX Canopies.
- Up to 24ft Projection
- Sun and Rain Protection
- +80mph Wind Resistance
- No Slope Required
- Standard and Irregular Shape Canopies
- 16ft Maximum Projection
- Sun Protection Only
- Designed to be Retracted in Wind
- Minimum of 20 Degree Slope Required
- Standard Shapes Only
Fabrics
Whether you choose the drama of black, the passion of red, or the serenity of earth tones, color is the final statement that sets the mood for your outdoor living space. That’s why we offer a broad range of commercial awning fabrics. It’s all about choice and we will help you make the right choice.
Harbor Time
- Solid Colors Only
- 15 Colors
- Non Fire Resistant
- 7 Year Warranty
Sunbrella
- Solid Colors and Stripes
- Hundreds of Colors
- Non Fire Resistant
- 10 Year Warranty
Ferrari
- Solid Colors Only
- 40 Colors
- Fire Resistant
- 10 Year Warranty
ShadeFX offers three types of quality fabrics with varying degrees of water protection. Depending on climate, usage and function, customers can choose between water resistant, water repellent and waterproof canopy fabrics. Below are some general guidelines on their application.
If canopies are expected to keep an outdoor space dry for the duration of a light rain shower, water resistant fabrics will be suitable for your outdoor space.
In climates that experience greater precipitation, water repellent fabrics may be a more viable solution. This type of fabric is tightly woven and/or coated with a chemical finish that repels water upon contact, rather then allowing it to seep through the material.
If a canopy is subject to constant rain over a course of a week or an entire season, waterproof fabrics are recommended. Waterproof fabrics are not available in patterns, only solid colors, but will ensure a dry outdoor space regardless of precipitation.
Drive Options
ShadeFX’s patented single track technology ensures that your canopy will extend and retract smoothly with no jamming or binding of its movement. The canopy can be stopped at any desired position from “fully extended” to “fully retracted”.
ShadeFX retractable canopies are available in three drive options: manual, rope, and motor drive with remote control.
Extend and retract the canopy at the push of a button. ShadeFX motor drive systems use food machinery components for the drive belt, bearings, pulleys and transmission for ultra-durable and weather-resistant operation. Extend and retract up to a single 24′ canopy at the push of a button.
ShadeFX motor drives and controls are supplied by Somfy. Available control options include hand-operated remotes, wall switches, and fully integrated home automation systems.
Extend and retract the canopy by pulling on a rope loop anchored to one of the pergola posts or to a wall, if convenient. Lock the canopy in place anywhere along the track by fitting the rope into the retaining cleat. When fully extended or retracted, the rope that is in tension is the rope to fit into the retaining cleat.
Extend and retract the canopy using a detachable crank handle. Turn the handle counterclockwise to unlock the canopy and pull it out as far as you want. Turn the handle clockwise to lock it in place. You can lock the canopy at any point along the track.
Installation
The time and number of people required for an installation depends on a range of factors including size, structure material, method of operation, and more. However, regardless of size or mounting option, the fundamental simplicity of the system remains.
For a complete guide to installing a ShadeFX underside canopies, download the installation guide for your desired drive option.
Motor Installation
Rope Installation
Manual Installation
We used ShadeFX recently for a '20x'10 canopy beneath a newly built DIY Pergola for our home in St. Louis.. I received prompt & professional help from ShadeFX the design specialist during the design of the Pergola. I found several lower cost options during my research but was won over with the quality and simplicity of the ShadeFX system. The product was delivered a little ahead of the original estimate (a little over 4 weeks). The installation was very straightforward. We opted for the manual drive beam which works just fine for us. Once installed, I would say it will take no more than 15-20 minutes to take down for winter storage or put back up in the spring. It's that easy.
Gary Feigenbutz, St. Louis, MO
We believe the retractable shades allow us to seat customers on our patio for an extra 30 days where extreme sun or light rain would otherwise prohibit.
Bill Filleaul, Owner, Cantina Del Centro, Nelson, BC
The three-bay, motorized, retractable canopy that ShadeFX did for our 4th floor terrace turned out great. The product itself is beautiful, of exceptional quality, and extremely easy to operate. It is a centerpiece to our building’s feature space – the 4th floor terrace. It allows us to serve customers outdoors – at our Hemingway’s Cuba restaurant – while protected from the rain and sun, and also provides ambiance and a sense of enclosure to the dining portion of our large outdoor terrace. Our Product Specialist, David Francis did an outstanding job communicating product information and logistics. We were able to obtain the information we needed to modify the design as our project evolved. They were proactive in helping coordinate delivery and moving materials to the 4th floor terrace. We knew what to expect with delivery and install, and they were able to adjust to our changing construction schedule. The installation team led by Peti Ardelean was easy to work with and also did a great job communicating. They were efficient with the installation, instructions to our team, and handed over a beautiful and easy to use canopy. The entire ShadeFX team was extremely nice and professional, and delivered an outstanding product.
Jeff Ream, Director of Real Estate Development, Firc Group Inc., Asheville NC
We recently worked with ShadeFX to install a retractable canopy on our backyard pergola. The canopy is great in the rain as we’ve had some big downpours here and the rain never got through. The rain protection is way better than expected and the wind is not a problem either, even though we have had some very windy days. No need for the hassle of bringing all the cushions inside in case of rain! We love the colour and how easy the canopy is to take down for the winter. It really is a great product.
Joe & Kathy Banel, Wasaga Beach, ON
The retractable canopy system that we ordered from ShadeFX has been instrumental of our new patio build with the move to a new restaurant space last summer. The kissing canopy’s orientation allows for quick manual extension/retraction that our servers are able to operate quite easily, allowing for direct sunlight when wanted, or able to provide shade from the hot sun or shelter from light rains for our 38-seat deck patio from May through November. Furthermore, the bold red colour and sheer size of the installation has helped make our patio a focal point of downtown Baker Street in beautiful Nelson, BC. We’re very happy with our purchase.
Jake Langmuir, Black Sheep Restaurant Group, Nelson, BC
After a request by the homeowners for a shade solution to both the upper and lower pergolas, we did our research. ShadeFX was not only the best solution to suit the custom build structures, but it had the best options of fabric colours and finishes. The ease and flexibility of installation allowed us to make some additional custom modifications for under canopy lighting in the closed position, without compromising the operation of the shades and allowing the homeowners to enjoy their space at any time of the day or night. Overall ShadeFX has an extremely high-quality product and I always look forward to using them again.
Paul Rodrigues, President, Samcore Ltd., Mississauga, ON
After living in our home for 27 years and fumbling with umbrellas for shade around the pool, my wife and I decided to rebuild our deck adding a custom built 18' x 16' pergola. Having been in the building material business for over 35 years, I had a little insight as to which manufacturer we should use. When we decided to add a canopy, ShadeFX was the only company able to accomplish the look and operation we were seeking. Once the specifications were sent to them, a recommendation was sent back within 24 hours and sample colors were provided. It was a thoroughly enjoyable buying experience from working through the specifications to receiving the finished canopy. The installation only took a few hours and it fit perfectly. I would recommend ShadeFX canopies personally and professionally to anyone.
David Barnes, Berwyn, PA
We recently installed a 12 x 12 ShadeFX canopy, arched and motorized. I was very impressed with the quality of the product and the ease of installation.
Michael Gatling, Gatling Construction
A huge thank you goes out to ShadeFX for helping us achieve our vision for our backyard. Dealing with Steve and the team at Shade FX was always pleasant and professional. Our objective was to create shade and protect us from rain, so we can extend our indoor living outdoors. Although we were apprehensive regarding the cost, we are pleased with the end result. This past July, ShadeFX installed two canopies in our backyard to fit our arbors. The upper shade is a 12x18 waterproof canopy, operated with a rope pulley system. This shade overlaps our lower arbor which now has a waterproof, motorized, canopy measuring 18x20. Needless to say, we have plenty of shaded area for entertaining. These canopies are exactly what we wanted for our backyard, extending our living space to outdoors. They are functional and a true conversation piece to all our guests. Thank you to ShadeFX for the innovative design and great customer service.
Silvia Corsetti, Maple, ON
My husband and I installed 4 ShadeFX shades in our 10' deep x 60' wide pool deck pergola in April 2017. The ShadeFX design is nothing short of incredible. Our contractor both built the pergola and installed the ShadeFX shades all by himself. The shades are impressive, well-built for ease of installation, use and enjoyment! I would strongly encourage people to research and to go see other, likely less expensive, shade systems. I did. I went to see 3 other companies' shades, their use of wires to hang the shades, the clamps used to attach the shades to the wires and the heavy steel "battens" sewn into seams to stabilize the shades. The design, construction and OUSTANDING QUALITY of ShadeFX's shades so far surpassed that of other shades! ShadeFX's Sr. Product Specialist, David Francis, was knowledgeable, charming and easy to work with and had the patience of a saint. I started peppering him with questions beginning in 2015! I cannot be more satisfied with ShadeFX and my experience with them. I look forward to enjoying many years of memorable and every day times on our Southern California new pool deck!
Elizabeth Frost, La Crescenta, CA