E&K 7'Wx36'L Waterproof Pergola Shade Cover Retractable Canopy Outdoor Wave Sun Shade for Patio Garden Backyard Deck Trellis (Light Gray)

For anyone who might be thinking about doing a pergola like ours, I need to offer this update. I hope the included photos will help explain the following text. First, I should preface it by saying that our original goal was to have a pergola with as little structure on top as possible. What we wanted was shade only when we needed it, not a permanent shade structure. We looked at all the umbrellas and shade sails, but none would work for our deck/patio. We really liked the sliding-fabric system when we saw it. We just needed some structure to attach it to. We had the house at one end, but we needed some structure at the other end. So we wanted to design a pergola to accomplish that, but with as little wood up on top as possible. That way we could have shade when we needed it, but open sky when we didn’t need the shade. We are headed into our third summer with this system and we really like it. And what we learned during the second summer was: the top needed more structure. Midway through last summer we noticed that the 2x8x16s that formed the top outside frame, which we had doubled up, attached together with spacers between them, were bowing from the tension on the cables. At one end they actually pulled the one 2x8 away from the spacers that were screwed in place. Because of the length of the span between attachment points - 12’ over the deck, and 14’ over the flagstone patio - the cable tension had to be strong enough to avoid sagging. So we kept adjusting the tension until we got it where there was no sagging and the shades slid freely. It was great… until I noticed the bowing. We first tried putting a single, 2’ wide brace made of 2x4s in the middle of the span over the patio. When that didn’t work, we realized we needed rafters on top. In keeping with our desire for minimum structure on top, we went with just five 2x6x16 rafters, spaced evenly, and double-notched to tie into the double 2x8s, instead of just sitting on top of them. We added two 2x4s spanning the 2x6 rafters in the middle to prevent them from bowing. It all looks good and strong. We will soon tighten up the cables again in preparation for reinstalling the shades (they spend the winter in the attic). So we will know right away if it solved the problem. But the real test will be this summer. Other tips: to secure the shades during wind and when they are closed, we just went with small, brass cup hooks screwed into the bottom of the 2x8s at each end of each shade. We just use the cords and rod/hook tool that came with the shades to slide them open and closed. We leave that tool hanging on the cord after the cord is on the hook to help keep the cord there. Simple and effective, it works well when the shades are open or closed, wind or no wind. Also, after some time, the cables will benefit from some lubrication. I first tried silicone spray. It helped, the shades slid smoother and easier. But the spray is overkill for the size of the cable, and the lube effect didn’t last long. So I tried wax; just candle wax rubbed on the top of the cable. That is the way to go: much easier to apply, and lasts longer. The shade fabric is still in good condition. It is pretty much self-cleaning. I occasionally have to knock leaves off by tapping the fabric from underneath. But rain does most of the work, including washing off any bird droppings. The white spacer fabric that you use to determine how much “droop” you want your fabric to have takes the brunt of the wear and tear. So we have had to replace some of it. But they give you plenty so we have enough extra to last a couple more seasons. All in all, we are very happy with the product and the system, and learning about our design as we go. If we make any additional improvements I’ll pass it on.

Easy enough to install. I have used them all summer, and they are as good as new. Love the shade they provide

Love my Patio ceiling blinds. They block the sun awesome so I can watch the television

The product seems fine. However, the first one arrived damaged and without the mounting hardware. The replacement also arrived without the mounting hardware. ***Update: While the Amazon customer service department told me the only way to potentially resolve the issue was by returning the shade a second time and re-ordering a third time, the E&K customer service department reached out and offered to send the missing hardware. Within a week, we received the hardware and had the shade up and ready to use. We are grateful for the quick and easy resolution. The shade is great and certainly does it's job. My only wish is that the design had a feature to secure the shade at the opposite end, when is use. The slightest breeze will cause it to retract, little by little. This is not a reflection of the company. From what I can tell, none of these particular types of shades (from any brand) offer said feature.

I shopped for weeks with the nationally branded canopy companies. Their quotes were literally 10x the cost of these canopies, and their warranties were 3-5 years (most required additional cost for warranty, and that price was for manually retractable versions). While the material of these canopies is probably lower quality than the expensive brands, it appears good enough to last at least 3 years if properly cared for (retracted in windy weather, stored during winter months etc.). The installation design was clever and could not have been easier, and lends itself well to customization. It does the job well and my wife is very happy with them. If i could make one recommended improvement, it would be to include a mechanism to lock the canopies in the open position as well as back when retracted to prevent the wind from opening them and causing damage. I solved this very inexpensively with small u-bolts on the foremost aluminum support and a couple of stainless steel hooks at the point of extension, and one at the point of retraction. Though I don't expect to do so, i can replace these every other year and still get better value than the branded products.

We use to not be able to be in our patio before buying these shades. They work great. Stood up to 80mph wind storm and were not to hard to install. Cutting the excess cable off, during install, was a little troubling but not bad. Love the way they look, function and cover our patio. Great value for the money as long as you don't need to customize the size. I bought mine a little late and trimmed off the extra material to work for my pergola. I custom built my pergola, so that was important. I hope to get a lot of years of comfort from these. They seem very well engineered and constructed.

In the beginning I really loved this but after the winter it did not hold the screws so it dropped and looks terrible so we are going to have to replace the screws and see if we can fix it.

This was the perfect size .great quality highly recommended