Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How much light will we lose inside the house?

Q. Will a canopy suit my house?

Q. Is the fabric waterproof?

Q. How long will the fabric last?

Q. How strong is the cover?

Q. What colours do the shades come in?

Q. How do I clean it?

Q. How much heat does it cut out?

Q. Is it retractable?

Q. Do I need a building consent?


Q. How much light will we lose inside the house?

Most people opt for our white or off white PVC fabric, which is semi-translucent. Very little light is lost using this colour. Over winter the sun is lower in the sky, so very little light or sun is lost even in winter. Often customers tell us the loss of light is far less than they expected, in fact they barely notice the difference inside the house. For those who are very concerned about loss of light, we have a new translucent fabric that has a minimal affect on light.

Q. Will a canopy suit my house?

Fresco shades suit most houses due to the slim, low profile, and the fact that the joinery is coloured to match your house means the canopy blends into the house. Even older houses suit the canopy, because the frame is made from only 50ml pipe, it’s not obvious from a distance. When a white frame and white fabric are used, they blend into existing timber window frames, soffits and gutters, creating a classic and timeless look.

Q. Is the fabric waterproof?

Absolutely, our shades not only keep you cool in the warmer months, but they provide a dry area all year round, enabling you to BBQ outside in winter if you wish!

Q. How long will the fabric last?

The fabric is an architectural grade PVC, which is very strong and robust. We guarantee our fabric for 5 years, but the life of the fabric is more like 10-15 years, and possibly much longer than that (a garden centre has this same fabric in their outdoor area and it’s still looking good after 28 years!).

Q. How strong is the cover?

Our fabric lasts in winds right up to cyclone force, and can be walked on (although for safety reasons, we suggest you leave that to the experts!)

Q. What colours do the shades come in?

We have a wide range of fabrics available (over 15 colours), even black, but most people prefer the white or off white shades. The metal frame can be any one of 100 colours, so can match your house paint or contrast, depending on your preference.

Q. How do I clean it?

As a rule of thumb, your canopy should be cleaned twice a year, a bit more often in areas by the sea or near industrial or geo-thermal areas. We do offer a cleaning service, or you can get external house cleaners to clean for you, but it is relatively simple to do yourself.

For the framework, use a soft (non abrasive) brush and a mild detergent solution, then simply hose off with fresh water.

For the roof, a water blaster is normally fine to use, depending on the pressure and the distance from the fabric.  We find that it's easier to use a soft broom/brush and a small amount of mild detergent, then hose off with fresh water.

Curtains can be cleaned by first hosing down, then cleaning with a soft cloth and either a mild detergent solution, or a mild window cleaner. You will need to allow the curtains to dry completely before rolling up to prevent the clear PVC going cloudy due to moisture being trapped inside the roll.

Q. How much heat does it cut out?

The PVC fabric cuts out 80-95% of heat and glare, depending on the colour choice. In contrast, Polycarbonate covers only cut around 35% of the heat, and on sunny days you may need additional shade materials to enable use of the area with Polycarbonate.

Q. Is it retractable?

No, the shade is a permanent structure. People often ask this question, due to the prevalence of roller awnings, which we used to manufacture. We don’t make these anymore as there are so many problems with the wind and they simply don’t last the distance. In fact we are often asked to remove awnings and replace them with our shades because of the problems associated with retractable awnings.

Q. Do I need a building consent?

The rules seem to keep changing, so if in doubt, check with your local council. Currently you do not require a consent if your shade is less than 50 m2.

If you have any further questions, we would be happy to help.