"I love my new patio awning - I can finally use my deck on those hot summer days. My ony regret is that I didn't buy one 8 years ago when I bought my house!"
Mrs. Gardner

1. THE IMPERIAL AND IMPERIAL MARCESA
The Imperial and Imperial Marcesa are our flagship awnings. Both Imperial models are ultra-strong, with heavy-duty arms using a patented poly coated steel belt. These belts are made of flexible steel cables sealed in a UV-resistant poly carbon. This enables the smooth movement of the arms while eliminating wear on the casting components, prolonging the life of the arms. These awnings also have a larger than average mounting bar and the largest round tube in the industry (82mm) that is extruded of the hardest architectural alloy available. All these features combine to make these awnings two of the strongest awnings you'll find anywhere!
The Imperial Marcesa has a horizontal stabilizer bar that keeps the fabric taut which prevents a lot of the usual 'flapping' in the wind as well as keeping it more stable. It also gives you more 'headroom' under the working part of the awning - very useful when mounting height is an issue.
Both of these awnings have the advantage of adding an optional 'drop valance' to the front of the awning. This drop valance will roll down up to 5 feet to give you exceptional low angle sun protection when using a sunscreen - or will give you privacy when using an opaque fabric. The valance is controlled with a detachable crank handle and rolls easily up and down from the front profile.

2. THE MARCESA PLUS
This awning has an ingenious design which feautres an anodized aluminum centrebeam which acts as a stabilizer bar and gives The Marcesa it's deistincive 'hip-roof' shape. This design makes The Marcesa Plus more stable in the wind and reduces the 'fluttering' effect which can occur diring windy conditions with conventional awnings. Because the fabric is kept tighter, there is also less chance of water accumulation if the awning is left out in the rain.
The increased slope at the front half of the awning gives better low angle sun protection - this makes it expecially effective for properties with southern or western exposure
Most importantly, the hip roof design of the Marcesa Plus gives you far more headroom than any other conventional lateral arm patio awning. This is important for 2 reasons: It will allow you to mount it much lower without having to duck under the armsand it will give you a spacious feel to your outdoor living area. The Marcesa Plus features all-aluminum white powder doated frames and castings. All arms on 10' and 11'6" projuction awning have 3 springs and a single coated cable for greater strength needed on the larger projections.

3. THE CLASSIC PLUS

The Classic Plus is the most economically priced of our awning styles. This is the traditional 'European' style of awning that slopes down in a straight line when extended. The Classic Plus is a very functional awning and is chosen when mounting height isn't an issue, if cost is a major consideration or if the classic European look is desired. The Classic Plus features all-aluminum white powder-coated frames and castings. All 10' and 11'6" projection awnings have 3 SPRINGS and a single coated cable for greater strength - same as the Marcesa Plus!

4. THE CLASSIC CROSS-OVER
The Classic Cross Over is a very unique and specialized style of awning that will allow a large projection on a very narrow awning. It does this by means of having the arms of the awning 'cross over' each other as the awning folds up. Because of this unique method of design, the Classic Cross over needs to be mounted higher than other awnings to allow freedom of movement underneath. The Cross Over is similar to the Classic in that it slopes down in a straight line when the awning is extended.

5. THE EMPRESS AND 6. EMPRESS/MARCESA
These awnings are cassette retractable awnings. This means that the fabric is completely contained in a cassette when the awning is rolled up. The cassette protects the fabric and mechanism from weather, dirt and moisture all year round. All of the exposed frames are white polyester powder coated. These cassettes are ideal for situations where maximum protection is necessary and is ideal for roof mounted awnings. The Empress has the European good looks of our Classic style awning and the Empress/Marcesa features the same centre stabilizer beam as the other Marcesa style awnings.

Options and Specifications

1. The Imperial and Imperial Marcesa

• projections of 6'8", 8'4", 10', 11'6", 13'2"
• max width 23' without series connect
• Heavy duty arms with polycoated steel belt
• Large (40mm) mounting bar and 82mm round tube for extra strength
• wall, soffit or roof mount
• series connect available
• adjustable valance available up to 20' widths
• motorization available
• hood cover available

2. The Marcesa Plus and 3. Classic Plus

• projections of 5'3", 7', 8'6", 10', 11'6"
• max width 30' without series connect
• All 10' and 11'6" projection awnings have 3 springs and a single coated cable
• adjustable pitch available to 19'
• white powder coated frames
• wall, soffit or roof mounting
• series connect available
• white powder coated hood cover available
• motorization available

4. The Classic Cross Over

• projections of 10', 11'6"
• widths 8', 9', 10', 11', 12'
• hood cover available in satin anodized or powder coated white
• white powder coated frame
• white powder coated castings
• motorization avaliable

5. The Empress and 6. Empress Marcesa

• projections of 5'3", 7', 8'6", 10' & 11'6"
• max width 23' without series connect
• white powder coated frames
• white powder coated cassette
• Heavy duty arms
• All 10' and 11'6" projection awnings have 3 springs for unsurpassed strength
• adjustable pitch available to 19' widths
• wall, soffit or roof mounting
• series connect available
• motorization available

Adjustable Pitch Control
A 'must-have' for decks with low-angle sun concerns, this feature will allow you to "follow the sun" as it lowers or rises, allowing you to enjoy your deck without the sun shining directly in your eyes! It's also great in the spring and fall when the sun is at a much lower angle compared to the high summer. The adjustable pitch control allows you to lower the end of the awning to give maximum coverage. With Aristocrat awnings, this is accomplished with a simple turn of a crank into the eye-hook on each arm housing. You can then smoothly and easily adjust the angle of the awning to the desired position whenever you want - even with the awning fully extended! This option is available on the Marcesa Plus, Classic Plus, Empress and Empress Marcesa awnings up to 19 feet in width.

Hood Covers
On exposed walls, motorized or roof mount applications you will want to protect your beautiful awning when it's rolled up from accumulated dirt, bird droppings and excessive rain with a hood cover. Our hood covers are made from extruded aluminum for long lasting good looks and are available either satin anodized or powder coated white. (Custom colours are available for a slight charge). Our hood covers up to 26' long are one continuous piece (unseamed) and have a rolled drip edge which acts like a gutter in the rain. The other option is to choose one of our 'cassette' style awnings that fully enclose the fabric when the awning is rolled up.

Mounting Options
Patio awnings can be mounted several different ways. Mounting on a vertical wall is the most common form of attachment. Depending on the awning style, you will need approximately 7 - 10 inches of free wall space to mount the brackets. Keep in mind that the awning itself will take up about 12 - 14 inches of space from the top of bracket to bottom of the arms. If this space is not available another option is to mount to your soffit. If there is still not enough room to clear doors or windows, another good option is to mount to your roof. Most people cringe with the thought of putting holes in their roof, but our installation method and specialized brackets will not compromise your roof's integrity - guaranteed!

Side light & Privacy Protection
If you have a problem with South or North exposures as the sun is rising or setting, you can add a sidepanel that clips on to your extended awning. The sidepanel is custom made to match your individual awning and is available in the same attractive fabrics and colours.
Another option for the same problem is the side fan. These decorative fans retract from either the right or left side and come with a welded vinyl cover to keep the shade clean when it is not in use. The frames are all heavy duty white powder coated extruded aluminum. They come in three sizes: 48”, 60” and 72” and are available in six attractive colours.

Both of these products are also ideal for privacy in crowded or exposed situations.

Fabric
Aristocrat awnings come in a broad selection of striped and solid patterns with over 250 colours to choose from in brands such as Sunbrella, Dickson or Aristocrat's exclusive fabric, Symprol(TM). These solution-dyed, scotch guarded acrylic fabrics carry a 5 year warranty not to fade or rot and are highly mildew resistant. Your Aristocrat awning will look as good years from now as it does when first installed.

Controls
Our retractable patio awnings can be operated a number of ways. Gear operated with detachable crank handle is standard; and our high speed Gieger bevel gears are fast, smooth and easy to operate - much more so than the old style 'worm gears'. Awnings up to 19' in width have a gear ratio of 1:3 and awnings 20' and above are 1:8. This means fast, smooth operation no matter what the size of awning you choose!

For even greater ease and convenience, we suggest adding a motor and switch. Please see our page on Motors & Automation for more details

For maximum convenience consider remote control or automated systems such as wind sensors or sun & wind sensors. We can even have your awnings tied into your home computer system! Remember - the easier it is to use your awning, the more you will want to use it!