Chicago Home with Awning
CHICAGO’S PREMIER AWNING COMPANY

Motorized Retractable Awnings
For Chicago Homes

Add usable square footage to your home with the Solera® Lumina™ motorized retractable awning. Purpose-built for Chicago’s notorious wind and lake-effect weather, and installed by local professionals who know the area.

✓ LOCAL INSTALLATION
✓ BUILT FOR CHICAGO WEATHER
SERVING SINCE 1956

Solera® by Lippert

Chicago summers don’t wait around. Between the heat, the humidity rolling off Lake Michigan, and storms that materialize out of nowhere, an unshaded patio is basically furniture storage from June through September. That’s why the Solera® Lumina™ was engineered specifically for Midwest conditions like ours. We’re proud to serve Chicagoland homeowners with heavy duty motorized awnings built for real wind protection.

Your Local Motorized Awning Installer In Chicago

It’s August, 92 degrees, and that thick Lake Michigan humidity has turned your backyard into a sauna. Instead of retreating inside to the AC, you hit a button on your remote and 200 square feet of shade rolls out in under a minute. The grill is going, the Cubs are on the radio, and your patio is actually comfortable. That’s what the right motorized patio awning delivers.

We’re locals who live and breathe awnings. Our factory-direct pricing, expert Chicago-area installation, and decades of commitment to quality have made Solera® a trusted name in outdoor living across Illinois.

Motorized Awnings Near You (& Built For You)

You’re searching for motorized awnings near Chicago because you want a company that understands what this city throws at outdoor spaces.

Chicago weather is relentless. Wind gusts off the lake can turn a calm afternoon sideways in minutes. Pop-up thunderstorms barrel through without warning. And the summer humidity? It’s the kind that makes you stick to your patio chair. We designed the Solera® Lumina™ motorized retractable awning with every one of these challenges in mind.

  • Built for the Midwest - Designed and tested to handle Chicago’s variable conditions, from 95-degree heat waves to sudden lake-effect storms. This is a heavy duty motorized awning for real wind protection.
  • Factory Direct - Working directly with the manufacturer means faster service, lower prices, and no middleman markup. When you choose Solera®, you’re going straight to the source for electric retractable patio awnings in Illinois.

Why Chicago Homeowners Choose Solera®

Installing a residential motorized awning on your Chicago home pays dividends every summer. More curb appeal, more livable space, and real protection from unpredictable Illinois weather. Every Solera® Lumina™ awning includes these features:

SmartArm™ Technology

The proprietary SmartArm™ 12V power arm has an integrated controller, so you can operate your awning with the included remote control.
No wall switch needed. This smart motorized awning extends or retracts at the push of a button, taking under 60 seconds to fully deploy. If you’ve ever wrestled with a manual crank awning, you already understand the appeal. The SmartArm™ does the work so you don’t have to.

No Hardwiring Needed

The Solera® Lumina™ plugs into a standard 110V household outlet. That means no electrician, no permits, and no tearing into your walls.
For Chicago homeowners, this is a significant cost saver. The average price of retractable awning installation drops substantially when you eliminate electrical work from the equation. Our trained motorized awning installers can complete your setup in hours, not days.

Integrated Wind Sensor: The Must-Have Feature for Chicago

This is the feature that matters most in a city nicknamed “The Windy City.”

The Solera® Lumina™ comes standard with an automatic wind sensor that monitors conditions in real time. When gusts exceed safe thresholds, the awning retracts on its own. You don’t need to be home. You don’t need to check the weather app. You don’t need to sprint outside when you hear the wind pick up.

For Chicago homeowners specifically, this feature is essential. Wind accelerates around high-rises and funnels down side streets. Lake-effect gusts can appear without any forecast warning. Rooftop decks in Lincoln Park and Lakeview are especially exposed. The wind sensor protects your investment automatically, every time. It’s the single most important safety feature on any motorized retractable awning sold in the Chicago area.

Premium Sunbrella® Fabrics

We exclusively use marine-grade Sunbrella® woven acrylic fabric. This material resists fading and fights mold and mildew.
Critical in humid Chicago summers, Sunbrella® dramatically outlasts cheaper vinyl alternatives. When you’re comparing motorized awning prices across brands, fabric quality is the difference between an awning that looks great for a decade and one that’s peeling after three summers. Our Sunbrella® fabric blocks 98% of UV rays while shedding light rain, keeping you protected from both sun and surprise showers.

Top Rated Awnings, Backed By Lippert

Lippert has been engineering excellence since 1956, building a reputation for quality and reliability that spans nearly seven decades.
When you invest in a Solera® Lumina™ motorized retractable awning for your home, you’re backed by a leading global manufacturer with deep roots in the Midwest community. That means responsive warranty service, local support, and the confidence of knowing your awning was built by people who stand behind their work.

Motorized Awnings Built for Chicago Weather

Lake Michigan creates a microclimate that most awning manufacturers don’t account for. Sudden temperature drops, humidity spikes, wind shear off the water, and those fast-moving storm fronts that barrel across the lake can all wreak havoc on outdoor shade systems that weren’t built for it. The Solera® Lumina™ was designed with exactly these conditions in mind.

Semi-Cassette Housing for Lake-Effect Protection

Our motorized retractable awnings feature a semi-cassette housing that seals the fabric away when retracted. This protects the Sunbrella® material from Chicago’s brutal winters: heavy snow loads, ice accumulation, road salt dust that settles on everything north of the Loop. When a storm rolls in while you’re at work, the wind sensor has already retracted the awning and the cassette is keeping it safe.

Modern Motorized Awnings for Outdoor Living Spaces

The lateral arm design eliminates the bulky support posts that traditional awnings require. No posts means unobstructed views and full use of your space underneath. This matters on a Chicago lot where outdoor square footage is already at a premium. The clean, straight-cut valance gives a modern aesthetic that works equally well on a 100-year-old greystone in Logan Square and a new-construction home in Naperville. The 0-45° pitch adjustment lets you angle the awning to block low afternoon sun or tilt it for maximum rain runoff.

Custom Awnings for Every Chicago Home

The Solera® Lumina™ mounts to walls, roofs, and the underside of eaves and soffits. Our motorized deck awnings attach to siding, wood, vinyl, aluminum, masonry, and brick surfaces. That last point matters in Chicago, where greystone and brick construction dominates entire neighborhoods. Available sizes range from 12 ft. to 20 ft. widths with up to 12 ft. of projection. A compact Lincoln Park courtyard and a sprawling Naperville backyard both get proper coverage. Custom motorized retractable awnings for large decks are our specialty, and frame colors come in White or Sand powder-coated finishes.

How Much Do Motorized Retractable Awnings Cost In Chicago?

Knowing the cost of motorized retractable awnings upfront helps you budget and plan. Several factors determine your final price:

  • Size: Larger awnings covering more area cost more. A 12 ft. x 10 ft. motorized patio awning runs less than a 20 ft. x 12 ft. installation.
  • Features: The cost of a motorized retractable awning with LED lights is higher than a base model. Upgraded fabric patterns and extended coverage options also affect pricing.
  • Installation Complexity: Brick and masonry mounting (common in Chicago neighborhoods) may require specialized anchoring. However, our no-hardwiring 110V design keeps the average cost of motorized awnings lower than competitors that require electrical work.
  • Custom Requirements: Freestanding motorized retractable awnings for backyards and other non-standard configurations involve custom engineering that factors into the price.

Most residential motorized awnings in the Chicago area range from $2,500 for a compact 12-foot model to $6,000+ for large custom installations with premium features. For an accurate motorized retractable awning price specific to your Chicago home, we recommend scheduling a free consultation. Our local representative will measure your space, discuss your needs, and provide a detailed quote with zero obligation.

How To Determine If A Motorized Awning Is Right For You

If two or more of those describe your situation, a motorized awning will pay for itself in comfort and convenience. Our factory-direct model keeps costs competitive for Chicago families.

South or West-Facing Space

These exposures take the worst afternoon beating during Chicago summers. A motorized awning reclaims that space from about 2pm onward.

Cut Cooling Costs

Shading windows and sliding doors can lower indoor temperatures by up to 15 degrees, reducing the load on your AC.

Outdoor Hosting

Nobody wants to help you crank out a manual awning before a cookout. Motorized awnings extend in under a minute with zero effort.

Furniture Protection

UV rays fade cushions and warp wood faster than most people expect. Consistent shade extends the life of everything on your patio.

Weather Sensing

Chicago storms don’t wait for you to get back from work. The automatic wind sensor means your awning protects itself while you’re gone.

Chicago Tough

Built to handle the Windy City’s variable climate and sudden lakefront gusts with professional local installation.

Professional Motorized Awnings Installation In Chicago

Our residential motorized awning installers serving the Chicago area bring years of hands-on experience to every project. Professional installation ensures that your awning performs exactly as designed, season after season. This is particularly important in Chicago, where sloppy mounting can mean a failed awning the first time real wind shows up.

Most motorized retractable patio awnings install in a single day, typically within 3 to 5 hours. Our crews arrive with all necessary equipment and hardware, complete the installation efficiently, and walk you through operation before they leave. You’ll have shade by dinner.

Retractable Awning Repair and Maintenance In Chicago

Even top rated motorized retractable awnings occasionally need attention. Our local service team handles motorized retractable awning repair and maintenance for customers throughout the Chicago metro area. Simple adjustments, fabric cleaning, motor service, wind sensor calibration—we cover it all.

Routine maintenance goes a long way toward extending your awning’s lifespan. We recommend periodic inspection of mounting hardware (especially important on masonry), cleaning the fabric with approved products, and seasonal testing of the automatic wind sensor. Our care and maintenance guide walks you through everything step by step.

Motorized Awnings For Patios, Decks, & Porches

Chicago outdoor spaces come in all shapes, sizes, and elevations. Here’s how the Solera® Lumina™ works for each.

Motorized Patio Awnings

Ground-level patios are the workhorses of Chicago outdoor living. They’re where the grill lives, where the kids play, and where you set up for summer entertaining. The problem is that everything on an exposed patio bakes in direct sun and gets hammered by weather.

A motorized patio awning creates shaded, usable space on demand. Because patios typically connect directly to the house, shading yours can reduce indoor temperatures significantly. Multiple Chicago homeowners have told us their AC runs noticeably less after installation. The water-resistant Sunbrella® fabric sheds light rain while blocking 98% of UV, so a quick afternoon shower doesn’t end your plans.

Motorized Deck Awnings

Rooftop and elevated decks are a defining feature of Chicago living, especially in neighborhoods like Lincoln Park, Wicker Park, Lakeview, and Bucktown. These decks are incredible spaces with skyline views and sunset sightlines. They’re also the most wind-exposed surfaces on a home.

This is where the Solera® Lumina™ really earns its keep. The lateral arm design keeps your views completely unobstructed while the integrated wind sensor monitors conditions on that exposed upper level. When gusts pick up (and on a Chicago rooftop, they will), the awning retracts before damage can occur. Large motorized awnings accommodate even substantial rooftop footprints, and our custom sizing handles non-standard dimensions that are common on urban decks. If you have an elevated deck in the city, this awning was built for you.

Motorized Porch Awnings

Chicago’s architectural DNA includes some of the country’s best porches. The classic Chicago bungalow front porch is practically a neighborhood institution. Greystones and Victorian two-flats feature covered entries that deserve more than a fixed metal awning from 1970. Motorized porch awnings give these spaces a clean, modern look while preserving the architectural character that makes Chicago neighborhoods special. The straight-cut valance pairs well with both historic details and contemporary finishes.

See Our Best Rated Motorized Awnings In Action

See how we’ve helped homeowners across Chicagoland make their outdoor spaces work harder.

From North Shore estates in Winnetka and Lake Forest to classic bungalows in Edison Park and Beverly, Chicago-area homeowners are discovering what the Solera® Lumina™ can do. Our project gallery features installations throughout the region, showcasing how motorized retractable awnings fit every style of home and every size of outdoor space. Rooftop decks in Wicker Park, suburban patios in Naperville, front porches in Oak Park—the range speaks for itself.

We invite you to read customer reviews and see what your neighbors have to say about their experience with Solera® motorized awnings.

Serving The Chicago Metro Area With Motorized Awnings

We bring award-winning motorized awning products and dedicated customer service to the entire Chicago metro area and beyond.

Our motorized awning installers serve communities throughout Chicagoland and the surrounding suburbs. When you’re searching for motorized awnings near me or motorized patio awnings in the Chicago area, Solera® by Lippert is ready to help.

Service Areas

We are proud to serve the following communities throughout Chicagoland and the surrounding suburbs:

  • Arlington Heights
  • Aurora
  • Berwyn
  • Bolingbrook
  • Buffalo Grove
  • Cicero
  • Des Plaines
  • Downers Grove
  • Elgin
  • Elmhurst
  • Evanston
  • Glen Ellyn
  • Glenview
  • Highland Park
  • Hoffman Estates
  • Joliet
  • Lake Forest
  • Lisle
  • Lombard
  • Mount Prospect
  • Naperville
  • Northbrook
  • Oak Brook
  • Oak Lawn
  • Oak Park
  • Orland Park
  • Palatine
  • Park Ridge
  • Schaumburg
  • Skokie
  • Tinley Park
  • Wheaton
  • Wilmette
  • Winnetka

Chicago Neighborhoods

We provide expert awning installation in neighborhoods across the city:

  • Lincoln Park
  • Lakeview
  • Wicker Park
  • Bucktown
  • Logan Square
  • Roscoe Village
  • North Center
  • Edison Park
  • Beverly
  • Hyde Park
No matter where your home is in the region, from Evanston to Joliet, our team provides the same expert service. The market for motorized awnings in the Chicago area continues to grow as homeowners realize how much more they can get from their outdoor spaces.
Top Rated Motorized Retractable Awnings: Why Choose Solera®?

Top Rated Motorized Retractable Awnings: Why Choose Solera®?

There are a lot of motorized awning suppliers and manufacturers out there. Here’s why Chicago homeowners consistently choose Solera® by Lippert:

Local Presence

Local manufacturing combined with local installation means responsive service you can count on. We’re not shipping from overseas and hoping it works.

Quality Construction

Premium materials built for longevity. Marine-grade Sunbrella® fabric, stainless steel hardware, and powder-coated aluminum frames in White or Sand.

Proven Technology

The SmartArm™ controller, wind-responsive automatic retraction, and a powerful 50Nm motor—all refined over decades of real-world use.

Professional Installation

Our trained local installers ensure your awning is mounted correctly the first time. In a city with this much wind, proper installation isn’t optional.

Warranty Protection

10 years on frame and fabric, 5 years on motor and accessories. Comprehensive coverage that’s backed by a company that’s been around since 1956.

Customer Focus

From your first inquiry through installation and ongoing support, your satisfaction drives every decision we make.

Serving Homeowners Across The Midwest

Bringing premium motorized shade solutions to communities across the Midwest.

Detroit

Serving Southeast Michigan with the same factory-direct quality and professional installation.

Grand Rapids

Serving Western Michigan homeowners with top rated motorized retractable awnings.

Schedule Your Free Motorized Awnings Consultation

Ready to make your outdoor space work for you? The first step is easy: schedule a free, no-obligation home visit with a local Solera® representative.

During your consultation, our local rep will:

  • Visit your Chicago-area home at a time that works for you
  • Measure your patio, deck, or porch with precision
  • Discuss your specific needs, preferences, and usage patterns
  • Show you Sunbrella® fabric samples and color options in person
  • Walk you through features and demonstrate operation
  • Provide a detailed, transparent quote on the spot

There’s no pressure and no commitment. We want you to make an informed decision about whether a motorized retractable awning is the right move for your home.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: HOW MOTORIZED RETRACTABLE AWNINGS WORK

Yes, and the built-in wind sensor on the Solera® Lumina™ is specifically why it’s the right motorized awning for Chicago.

Wind is the number one concern Chicago homeowners raise, and it’s a valid one. Lake Michigan funnels gusts through the city, and conditions can shift from calm to 30+ mph in minutes. The Lumina™ addresses this directly with an automatic wind sensor included as standard equipment on every unit. When wind speeds exceed the safe operating threshold, the awning retracts itself without any input from you. It doesn’t need WiFi, a smartphone app, or a power connection beyond the motor itself. This mechanical response works even if you’re not home, asleep, or out of town for the weekend. The sensor has been tested and refined over years of installations across the Midwest, including thousands of homes in high-wind markets. The lateral arm system is also rated for stronger loads than the post-and-beam designs used on cheaper awnings. Combined with the semi-cassette housing that protects the retracted fabric from weather exposure, the Lumina™ is built for exactly the kind of conditions Chicago throws at outdoor products year-round.

Yes, rooftop decks and condo balconies are among the most popular installation locations for the Solera® Lumina™ in the Chicago market.

Elevated outdoor spaces throughout Lincoln Park, Wicker Park, Lakeview, Logan Square, and the West Loop get full, unobstructed sun exposure that makes them nearly unusable during peak summer afternoons. A motorized retractable awning provides instant shade that you can deploy and retract in under 60 seconds, giving you control over the space without a permanent structure. For rooftop decks, the Lumina™ can be wall-mounted to a parapet wall or building facade, or soffit-mounted where overhead structure exists. The 110V plug-in system is especially valuable for elevated installations because running new electrical wiring to a rooftop is expensive and often requires permits. If you have an existing outdoor outlet up there, installation is straightforward. For condo balconies, check your HOA or building rules first, as some buildings have restrictions on exterior modifications. Our installer will discuss this during the free consultation and recommend the best mounting approach for your specific setup. The wind sensor is especially important at rooftop height, where gusts are stronger and more frequent than at ground level.

Most residential motorized awnings in the Chicago area cost between $2,500 for a standard 12-foot model and $6,000+ for large custom installations with premium features.

The primary cost drivers are width (available from 12 to 20 feet), projection depth (up to 12 feet), fabric selection, and add-ons like LED lighting. Every home is different, though. Mounting surface, roof overhang, and access points all affect the final number. Generic online quotes can’t account for these variables. That’s why we offer free in-home consultations where our rep measures, assesses your specific situation, and gives you an exact quote on the spot. No guesswork, no surprise charges later.

A motorized awning uses an electric motor inside the roller bar to extend and retract the fabric automatically.

The Solera® Lumina™ runs on a 50Nm motor that’s powerful enough to smoothly operate a 20-foot awning while staying quiet enough that you’ll barely hear it. You press a button on the included remote and the awning fully extends or retracts in under 60 seconds. A wall switch option is also available, but most homeowners keep the remote on their patio table. The system plugs into a standard 110V outlet, so there’s no hardwiring involved. The included wind sensor adds automatic retraction when gusts exceed safe levels, even when you’re away from home. No WiFi or smartphone app required.

Yes, if you’ll actually use it regularly, a motorized awning is absolutely worth the investment.

The motorized mechanism is what makes the difference between an awning you use daily and one you give up on after the first summer. Manual awnings require cranking, remembering to retract before storms, and physical effort every single time. Most people stop bothering. Motorized awnings remove all that friction. You press a button and you’re shaded. Beyond convenience, you’ll see real benefits: lower air conditioning bills from shading your doors and windows, extended life on outdoor furniture that’s no longer baking in UV, and genuinely comfortable outdoor space during the hottest stretch of the Chicago summer. Most of our Chicago customers say the same thing: “We use our patio twice as much now.”

The best motorized retractable awning for sun and rain in the Chicago area needs UV protection, water resistance, and automatic wind protection—and the Solera® Lumina™ delivers all three.

The Sunbrella® woven acrylic fabric blocks 98% of UV rays while shedding light rain, so a quick afternoon shower won’t send you running inside. When conditions worsen, the automatic wind sensor retracts the awning faster than you could react yourself, protecting it from damage. The semi-cassette housing shields the fabric during Chicago’s harsh winters, keeping it away from snow, ice, and freeze-thaw cycles. Cheaper awnings from big-box stores typically lack these features and aren’t built for the kind of weather we get here.

Most installations take 3 to 5 hours, meaning you’ll have shade the same day.

Our crew handles everything: mounting brackets, installing the awning assembly, connecting to a standard 110V outlet, calibrating the motor, and programming the wind sensor. Before leaving, they’ll walk you through operation and answer every question. The site is cleaned up completely. Larger awnings (18 feet and wider) or complex mounting situations—masonry walls, unusual rooflines, or tight Chicago lot access—sometimes extend into a full day. Your installer will give you a time estimate during the consultation so you can plan accordingly.

The Solera® Lumina™ includes one of the strongest warranties in the residential awning industry: 10 years on frame and fabric, 5 years on motor and accessories.

Specifically, the frame warranty covers structural components like the lateral arms, roller bar, and mounting brackets. The Sunbrella® fabric is covered for 10 years against material defects that affect usability. The electric motor carries a 5-year warranty, and accessories including the wind sensor and remote are covered for 5 years as well. This is a straightforward warranty without fine-print loopholes. If a component fails due to defects in materials or workmanship, we make it right. And because we have local service teams in the Chicago area, warranty repairs happen here—no shipping your awning across the country.

The Solera® Lumina™ can be mounted to virtually any residential surface, including wood framing, vinyl siding, aluminum siding, brick, concrete block, stucco, and masonry.

We use different bracket systems and anchoring hardware depending on your home’s construction. The most common setups are wall-mounted (attached just below the roofline) and soffit-mounted (attached under an overhang). Direct roof mounting is also available where wall attachment isn’t practical. This versatility is especially relevant in Chicago, where brick and greystone construction is standard in many neighborhoods. During your free consultation, our installer assesses your specific mounting surface, overhead clearance, and electrical access, then recommends the best approach. If the Lumina™ isn’t the right fit for your home for any reason, we’ll tell you upfront.

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