Motorized Awning Systems in St. Augustine, FL

Push a Button, Get Shade

Motorized awnings deploy and retract with a remote, wall switch, or phone app. No hand crank. No climbing a ladder. Press once and the awning extends in 20 to 30 seconds.

Almost every new awning we install in St. Augustine goes motorized. The cost difference over manual is small — often under $400 — and the day-to-day convenience changes how people use their patios.

The Motor and How It Works

The motor sits inside the roller tube. When it runs, the tube spins and the fabric unfurls or rolls up. Motors are rated for thousands of cycles and come with 5 to 7 year warranties.

Power is a standard 110V line run through a hidden conduit. A licensed electrician ties it into your panel during install. Most homes already have an outdoor outlet near the patio that works fine.

Control Options

You pick how you want to operate the awning. We install any combination of:

• Wall switch mounted next to the patio door
• Handheld remote (one or more)
• Phone app (Somfy TaHoma, MyLink)
• Voice control through Alexa or Google Home
• Smart home integration with Control4 or Savant

Most people start with a wall switch and one remote. App control adds roughly $200 to the project.

Wind Sensors

A wind sensor is the single most important add-on for a motorized awning. Florida thunderstorms come up fast. A 40 mph gust can tear fabric, bend arms, or rip the whole system off the wall.

The sensor mounts on the awning's outer bar. When it detects wind above your set threshold — usually 25 to 30 mph — it signals the motor to retract automatically. The awning is safe in under 30 seconds.

We strongly recommend a wind sensor on every coastal install from St. Augustine Beach to Ponte Vedra.

Sun Sensors

Sun sensors extend the awning when direct sun hits the patio. Set a time window and a sun threshold, and the awning handles itself. Great for second homes or pool decks where nobody's watching.

Sun sensors pair with wind sensors for full automation. If the sun triggers extension but wind kicks up, the wind sensor overrides and retracts.

Rain Sensors

Rain sensors are less common but useful in our climate. They retract the awning when rain starts. Mostly they protect against staining from tree sap, sediment, or bird droppings that collect in standing water.

Adding Motors to Existing Awnings

We retrofit manual awnings with motors in many cases. The frame has to be compatible — most Sunbrella, Sunsetter, and Marygrove models work. We check your awning first, quote the motor kit, and install in one day.

Retrofit motor installs typically run $800 to $1,400 depending on awning size and control options.

Smart Home Integration

If you already have a smart home setup, we integrate the awning with it. Somfy motors speak the TaHoma protocol, which connects to Alexa, Google Home, Control4, and most home automation hubs. Scenes like "Good Morning" can open shades, extend the awning, and turn on patio lights all at once.

Installation

A motorized awning install takes one day. An electrical run for new installations adds 2 to 4 hours. We coordinate with a licensed electrician for the power work — you don't need to hire anyone separately.

Get a Free Estimate

Call (904) 615-9462 or send us a message to schedule a visit. We'll walk through the patio, recommend control options, and leave you with a written quote.

Every contractor in our network is licensed and insured.