Motorized Retractable Screens
A motorized retractable screen is a custom-fitted screen system that rolls up and down at the touch of a button. It attaches to the perimeter of a patio, lanai, porch, or garage opening and can be lowered to block insects, reduce heat and UV exposure, and add privacy, then retracted completely when not needed. Sun Solutions installs motorized retractable screens throughout Tampa Bay, including Tampa, St. Pete, Clearwater, Brandon, Wesley Chapel, and surrounding communities.
Motorized retractable screens help Tampa Bay homeowners get significantly more use out of their outdoor spaces. Key benefits include blocking insects like mosquitoes and no-see-ums, reducing solar heat gain by up to 90%, filtering UV rays, adding privacy from neighbors, and keeping light rain out of covered patios. Because they retract completely when not in use, they don't block views or change the look of your home's exterior.
Motorized retractable screens can be installed in a wide range of spaces, including patios, lanais, porches, pool enclosures, garages, pergolas, and covered outdoor kitchens. Sun Solutions designs each screen system to fit the specific dimensions and structure of your space, so virtually any outdoor opening can be accommodated.
Yes. Motorized retractable screens provide full perimeter insect protection when lowered. The screen fabric creates a barrier that keeps out mosquitoes, no-see-ums, flies, and other pests, so you can enjoy your patio or lanai in the evening without sprays or citronella candles. This is one of the most popular reasons Tampa Bay homeowners choose retractable screens.
Motorized retractable screens can reduce solar heat gain on your patio by up to 90%, depending on the screen fabric you choose. Denser fabrics block more heat and UV, while more open weaves keep better airflow and outward views. Sun Solutions helps you choose the right fabric openness factor based on your sun exposure, privacy preferences, and ventilation needs.
For many Florida homeowners, motorized retractable screens are one of the highest-value outdoor upgrades available. Florida's heat, humidity, and insects make open patios hard to enjoy for much of the year. A motorized screen system turns that unused space into a comfortable, livable outdoor room that you'll actually use.
Yes. Garage retractable screens are one of the most popular applications in Tampa Bay. A motorized screen across the full width of a garage opening lets you work with fresh air and natural light while keeping insects and the harsh Florida sun out. The screen retracts fully when you need to use the garage door. Sun Solutions offers custom-fitted garage screens for single, double, and oversized openings.
Yes. Motorized retractable screens handle light rain and wind-driven debris well, keeping your outdoor area more usable during Florida's afternoon shower season. During heavier storms or high winds, retract the screens to protect them. For storm protection, Sun Solutions also installs hurricane screens, which are wind rated for Florida storms.
Sun Solutions offers a wide selection of screen fabrics in various colors and openness factors. Options range from tighter weaves that maximize privacy and insect protection to more open fabrics that prioritize airflow and visibility. Sunbrella fabrics are available for customers who want added fade resistance and weather durability. During your free estimate, the team will help you find the right combination for your space.
With proper care, high-quality motorized retractable screens typically last 10 to 15 years or more. The motor, hardware, and fabric are all rated for long-term outdoor use. Sun Solutions backs every installation with a 10-year warranty on parts and fabric. Regular cleaning and retracting during severe weather will maximize the lifespan of your system.
Yes. In Florida's real estate market, usable outdoor living space is a significant selling point. Motorized retractable screens turn a hot, insect-prone patio into a comfortable, livable outdoor room, which is attractive to buyers. Many Tampa Bay homeowners find that motorized screens improve both quality of life and perceived home value.
Motorized Retractable Awnings
A motorized retractable awning is a fabric shade structure that extends outward from the side of a home to cover a patio, lanai, or outdoor seating area. It is powered by a motor and extends or retracts at the touch of a button. When retracted, the awning folds neatly into a housing attached to the wall, keeping your home's exterior clean and unobstructed. Learn more about our motorized retractable awnings.
In Tampa's climate, retractable awnings provide shade and UV protection during peak sun hours, reduce heat on patios and nearby indoor spaces, protect outdoor furniture from fading, and let you enjoy your outdoor area out of direct sunlight. When retracted, they give you full sun whenever you want it. Sun Solutions awnings block up to 99% of harmful UV rays and are available with LED lighting and automatic wind sensors.
Sun Solutions retractable awnings offer a projection of 8 to 12 feet, meaning they extend 8 to 12 feet out from the wall. This range covers most standard patio and lanai sizes and provides meaningful afternoon shade. Widths are fully customized to your space. During your free estimate, the team will help determine the ideal projection and width for your layout.
Yes. Sun Solutions retractable awnings include a built-in automatic wind sensor. When wind speed reaches an unsafe level, the sensor triggers the motor to retract the awning automatically, preventing damage. This is especially important in Tampa Bay, where afternoon thunderstorms can bring sudden wind gusts. You can also retract it at any time with the remote or wall switch.
Yes. Sun Solutions retractable awnings are available with LED lighting built into the awning frame. This lets you keep using your patio after dark without adding exterior light fixtures. It is a popular add-on for Tampa Bay homeowners who entertain outdoors in the evenings.
Sun Solutions offers a wide selection of awning fabrics, including Sunbrella, one of the most respected outdoor fabric brands in the industry. Sunbrella fabrics are solution-dyed for exceptional fade resistance, are water-resistant, and are rated for long-term UV exposure. They come in a wide range of colors and patterns to complement your home's exterior.
Retractable awnings can handle light rain and are designed to shed water when extended. They are not recommended for use in heavy rain or severe weather. During storms or high winds, the automatic wind sensor will retract the awning to prevent damage. If you need weather protection from the sides, a motorized retractable screen system may be a better fit.
Retractable awnings block direct sunlight, the primary cause of fading and UV damage to outdoor furniture, cushions, and flooring. By shading your patio during peak sun hours, an awning can significantly extend the life of your outdoor furnishings and help prevent discoloration of nearby doors, windows, and siding.
A fixed awning is permanently extended and provides constant shade regardless of weather. A retractable awning can be extended or pulled back as needed, giving you full sun or full shade on demand. Retractable awnings are also protected from weather when retracted, which typically gives them a longer lifespan than fixed awnings in Florida's climate.
A retractable awning extends outward and overhead to provide shade from above, similar to a partial roof extension. It does not enclose the sides of a space. A motorized retractable screen drops down vertically along the perimeter of an opening, creating a screened enclosure that keeps insects out and blocks wind and light rain from the sides. Many Tampa Bay homeowners install both: awnings for overhead shade and screens for perimeter protection.
Outdoor Roller Shades & Hurricane Screens
Outdoor roller shades, also called exterior roll-down shades, trackless screens, or open roller screens, are motorized shades that lower from a housing tube with no side tracks. They give you sun control and privacy with a clean, open look and are a great fit for patios, lanais, pergolas, and pool areas. Learn more about our outdoor roller shades.
Yes. Every outdoor roller shade Sun Solutions installs is motorized. We don't install manual roller shades with pull cords or cranks. You can operate your shade with a handheld remote or wall switch, connect it to your smart home system, or add a wind sensor that retracts it automatically when it gets too breezy.
Both are motorized and custom-fit to your opening. A motorized retractable screen runs in side tracks that hold the fabric tight edge to edge, which seals out bugs and blocks wind and light rain. An outdoor roller shade has no side tracks, so it has a lighter, cleaner look and is ideal when sun control and privacy matter more than a full bug seal.
Yes. In addition to motorized retractable screens for everyday comfort, Sun Solutions installs hurricane screens built to protect your home's openings during tropical storms and hurricanes. They are wind rated for Florida storms and give your windows, doors, and lanai an extra layer of protection during storm season.
Motorized retractable screens are designed for everyday comfort: shade, bug protection, and privacy. They should be retracted before a storm. Hurricane screens are built for storm protection and are wind rated for Florida storms. Many Tampa Bay homeowners pair both for year-round comfort and storm readiness.
Features & Technology
Sun Solutions uses Somfy motor systems, a leading global brand in motorized shading known for reliability, quiet operation, and smart home compatibility. Somfy motors are designed for long-term performance outdoors and work with major smart home platforms including Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and Apple HomeKit.
Yes. Sun Solutions uses Somfy motor systems, which are compatible with Google Home, Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and Samsung SmartThings. You can control your motorized screens, awnings, and shades with voice commands or a smartphone app, and set schedules so they lower automatically at certain times of day, like when the afternoon sun hits your patio.
Sunbrella is a premium outdoor fabric known for exceptional UV resistance, fade resistance, and durability in harsh weather. It is solution-dyed, meaning the color is built into the fiber rather than applied to the surface, which makes it highly resistant to fading in Florida's intense sun. Sun Solutions offers Sunbrella fabric options on awnings and select screen products because of its long-term performance and wide color selection.
Sun Solutions systems can be operated with a wall-mounted switch, a handheld remote control, or a smartphone app. With a Somfy smart home hub, you can also set automated schedules and control everything remotely from anywhere with an internet connection. Every system includes at least a remote control.
Most Somfy motor systems include a manual override option. During a power outage, screens and awnings can typically be operated with a hand crank or by disconnecting the motor. Sun Solutions will walk you through the override procedure for your specific system during installation so you're prepared if you ever need it.
Before a hurricane or tropical storm, fully retract and secure all motorized retractable screens, awnings, and outdoor roller shades. Leaving them extended in high winds can cause significant damage. For protection that stays in place during a storm, Sun Solutions installs hurricane screens that are wind rated for Florida storms.
Installation, Financing & Process
The process starts with a free, no-pressure in-home estimate. A Sun Solutions team member visits your property, takes measurements, talks through your goals, and walks you through fabric, color, and feature options. Once you approve the design and place your order, your system is custom-fabricated and scheduled for installation. After installation, the team shows you how to operate and care for your new system.
Most Sun Solutions installations are completed in a single day. Single screen or awning installations typically take two to four hours. Larger projects with multiple screens across a full lanai or patio may take a full day. The team will give you a specific timeline when scheduling your installation.
Yes. Every motorized screen, retractable awning, and outdoor roller shade Sun Solutions installs is custom-fabricated to the exact measurements of your space. There are no off-the-shelf products. Each system is built to fit your opening, mounting surface, and style preferences, so it looks like it was made for your home, because it was.
Permit requirements vary by municipality in the Tampa Bay area. Sun Solutions is experienced with local permitting across the communities it serves, including Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Brandon, Wesley Chapel, Riverview, Lutz, and surrounding cities. The team will advise you on any permit requirements for your installation during the estimate.
Yes. Sun Solutions offers flexible financing options, so you can upgrade your outdoor space without paying for everything up front. Ask about financing during your free in-home estimate.
Sun Solutions offers free, no-obligation estimates for residential and commercial projects across Tampa Bay. You can schedule an estimate by calling (727) 351-8115, emailing info@sunsolutionsfl.com, or submitting a request online. A team member will set a time to visit your property, take measurements, and walk you through your options.
Warranty, Maintenance & Repairs
Yes. Sun Solutions backs every motorized screen and retractable awning with a 10-year warranty on parts and fabric. If you experience any issues with your system during the warranty period, Sun Solutions will take care of them.
Motorized retractable screens need very little maintenance. For routine cleaning, use a soft brush or cloth with mild soap and water to wipe down the fabric. Rinse thoroughly and let the fabric air dry fully before retracting to prevent mildew. Periodically check the housing, tracks, and motor connections for debris. Sun Solutions also offers routine maintenance plans that include scheduled cleanings and system checks.
Clean your awning periodically with a soft brush and mild soap solution, then rinse well and let it dry fully before retracting to prevent mold or mildew. Always retract the awning before heavy rain, high winds, or storms. Inspect the fabric, arms, and motor housing seasonally for signs of wear. Sun Solutions offers professional maintenance if you'd rather have an expert handle it.
Yes. Sun Solutions offers repair, rescreening, and full replacement for motorized screens and awnings, including systems not originally installed by Sun Solutions. Services include motor repair or replacement, fabric replacement, housing and hardware repair, and full rescreens. Contact Sun Solutions to describe the issue and schedule a service visit.
Yes. Sun Solutions offers pool cage and screen repair throughout Tampa Bay, from torn screen panels to full rescreens. Contact us to describe the damage and schedule a visit.
Service Area & Commercial Projects
Sun Solutions serves the greater Tampa Bay region, including Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Brandon, Wesley Chapel, Land O' Lakes, Lutz, Riverview, Sarasota, New Port Richey, and surrounding communities. See our full list of service areas, or call (727) 351-8115 if you're not sure whether we serve your location.
Yes. Sun Solutions installs commercial retractable awnings and commercial retractable screens for restaurants, retail spaces, office buildings, hotels, and other commercial properties throughout Tampa Bay. Commercial systems are custom-designed for larger openings and higher-traffic use. Contact Sun Solutions to discuss your project and schedule a consultation.
Sun Solutions is Tampa's #1 installer, locally and family owned. We install motorized retractable screens, motorized retractable awnings, outdoor roller shades, and hurricane screens, and every system is custom-fabricated for your space, powered by Somfy motors, and backed by a 10-year warranty. Flexible financing is available. We're not a national franchise. We're a local team that knows Florida's climate, local building requirements, and what Tampa Bay homeowners need to get more out of their outdoor spaces.
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