Sunair Awnings & Solar Screens

What Sunair Awnings & Solar Screens does

Sunair Awnings & Solar Screens, operating legally as Awnings Unlimited Inc., is a privately held manufacturer of retractable awnings, pergola systems, and exterior rolling shade products based in Jessup, Maryland. Founded in 1978, the company operates a 110,000 sq. ft. manufacturing plant and showroom — claimed to be the only retractable awning manufacturer in Maryland — with computer-assisted fabricating equipment, on-premises powder-coat paint capabilities, and in-house production of arms and sub-assemblies from domestically sourced aluminum extrusions. Its product portfolio spans lateral arm retractable patio and window awnings (Sunstar, Sunair, Suntube models), exterior and interior solar screens (Mastershade), zipper track and magnetic lock screens (SC4000/SC4500/SC4600), retractable fabric roof pergolas (LEVEL, NOMO, RIALTO, TECNIC), motorized adjustable louvered pergola roofs (OPERA, VISION), retractable glass divider walls, fabric canopies, and the Solharo conservatory shade, plus a Sunchoice DIY self-install sub-brand.

The company serves two primary segments: residential homeowners in the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area (Maryland, Washington DC, Northern Virginia), and commercial customers including restaurants, hotels, and institutional clients such as the Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis. Revenue is generated through one-time product sales, in-house professional installation services, and an authorized dealer network, with promotional pricing on select RTS-motorized lateral arm awnings. Distribution is hybrid: factory-direct sales supported by a 110,000 sq. ft. showroom, in-home estimates, phone and website lead capture, plus regional dealers for areas outside direct installation reach.

The business is independently owned with no disclosed institutional investment, no public listing, and no M&A activity documented. Recent strategic emphasis has been on extending the product line into premium motorized louvered structures and connected-home integrations (Bond Home, Somfy TaHoma, Alexa, Google Assistant), alongside the Sunchoice DIY sub-brand that broadens price-point reach beyond the full-service installation model.

Name

Sunair Awnings & Solar Screens

Legal name

Awnings Unlimited Inc.

Website

https://sunairdirect.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Sunair Awnings & Solar Screens is a privately held Jessup, Maryland manufacturer of retractable awnings, pergola systems, and exterior rolling shade products, serving residential homeowners and commercial customers in the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area through direct factory sales, in-house installation, and an authorized dealer network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Retractable Awnings and Exterior Shading Products

NAICS

Blind and Shade Manufacturing (337920)

SIC

Retail-Building Materials, Hardware, Garden Supply (5200)

akta.pro primary industry

Outdoor Window Shades & Awnings Retail (Exterior Shades, Retractable Awnings) (CRAIAKAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Outdoor Living Structures Retail (Sheds, Gazebos, Pergolas, Greenhouses) (CRAIAIAG), Sunrooms, Screen Rooms & Enclosures (HSAPALAF)

Keywords

• Retractable awnings
• Pergola systems
• Exterior solar screens
• Motorized awnings
• Outdoor shading products

Headquarters

HQ city

Jessup

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Product Sales - Retractable Awnings: Direct sales of custom-manufactured retractable patio, deck, and window awnings. Products sold with optional motorized operation, various fabric choices, and frame colors. One-time purchase with professional installation available.
2. Product Sales - Pergola & Roof Systems: Sales of motorized adjustable louvered roofs and retractable fabric roof pergola systems for residential and commercial outdoor spaces.
3. Product Sales - Solar Screens & Zipper Screens: Sales of exterior and interior solar screens, zipper track screens, and magnetic lock screens for windows, porches, garage doors, and lanais.
4. Professional Installation Services: In-house installation crews provide professional installation of all products for customers within the Baltimore Washington metropolitan area.
5. Dealer Network Sales: Authorized dealers throughout Baltimore Washington metropolitan area purchase and resell Sunair products.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Sunair Awnings & Solar Screens manufactures and distributes custom retractable patio and window awnings, motorized pergola and louvered roof systems, and exterior/interior solar and zipper screens from its 110,000 sq. ft. plant in Jessup, Maryland. Products are sold direct from the factory, through authorized dealers, and as self-install kits across the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area, with optional professional installation by in-house crews.

Product overview

Sunair Awnings & Solar Screens is a manufacturer of outdoor shading and living space products based in Jessup, Maryland. The product portfolio centers on retractable awning systems (Sunstar, Sunair, Suntube, Sunchoice) for patios and windows, supplemented by specialized screen products (SC4500/4600 Zipper Screens, SC4000 Magnetic Lock Screens, Mastershade Interior/Exterior Solar Screens), premium pergola systems (both Retractable Fabric Roof and Motorized Adjustable Louvered Roof models), Fabric Canopies, Retractable Glass Divider Walls, and the Solharo conservatory sun shade. Products are distributed through direct factory sales and authorized dealers in the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Sunchoice: Self-install retractable patio awning kits available in Classic and Elite models
• Sunair
• Sunstar
• Suntube
• Mastershade
• Solharo
• Pergola

Products and services

• Retractable Patio & Deck Awnings

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduces sunlight and glare through windows by up to 94%
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Authorized DealerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized dealer network throughout Baltimore Washington metropolitan area who purchase and resell Sunair products. Dealers provide local sales and installation services to customers outside direct service area or who prefer purchasing from local dealer.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Sunbrella (Glen Raven): Leading US manufacturer of performance fabrics used across awnings, pergolas, and outdoor shade applications; an adjacent incumbent whose branded fabrics Sunair and its competitors specify and a benchmark for category-defining brand power.
• Renson Outdoor: European incumbent offering a broad portfolio of outdoor living solutions including louvered pergolas (Camargue, Algarve) and exterior screens; comparable in the motorized pergola and exterior shading categories where Sunair competes in commercial and premium residential.

Others

• Phifer Incorporated: US manufacturer of sun control fabrics, insect screening, and exterior shading textiles that supply mesh used in exterior solar screens; an upstream supplier/enabler comparable to the fabric supply chain Sunair relies on for Mastershade and SC-series products.
• Somfy: Global leader in motors and smart-home control systems for awnings, pergolas, and exterior shades; Sunair integrates with Somfy TaHoma and uses RTS motors, making Somfy a key technology partner and adjacent benchmark for the smart shading category.

Direct peers

• SunSetter Products: Major US-based direct-to-consumer retailer and manufacturer of retractable patio awnings and deck shades, directly comparable to Sunair's flagship retractable patio awning line in product, customer (residential homeowners), and distribution approach.
• StruXure Outdoor (Struxure Pergolas): Manufacturer of motorized adjustable louvered pergola roof systems with smart-home integration; directly comparable to Sunair's OPERA/VISION louvered roof product line for both residential and commercial outdoor living applications.
• Solair Shade Solutions: US manufacturer/distributor of retractable exterior solar screens, zipper screens, and awnings with similar fabric cassette and track technology; direct overlap with Sunair's Mastershade and SC4500/4600 zipper screen products.
• Azenco Outdoor: Manufacturer of motorized pergolas, louvered roof systems, and outdoor structures for residential and commercial customers; directly comparable to Sunair's pergola and louvered roof product lines.
• KE Outdoor Design (Kama Enterprises): Manufacturer of retractable awnings, pergolas, and exterior shading systems serving both residential and commercial customers through a dealer network; directly comparable in product mix (retractable awnings, screen systems, pergolas) and dealer-led GTM.

Regional players

• ShadeTree Specialty / Shade Tree Awnings: Manufacturer of retractable awnings and exterior shade products with strong presence in select US regional markets; comparable product portfolio of retractable lateral arm awnings and screen systems for residential customers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sunair Awnings & Solar Screens