Order Now for Spring: Awning and Screen Lead Times in Connecticut

Published November 2026

Most homeowners start thinking about shade in May, when the first hot afternoon arrives and the deck is too bright to sit on. By then, everyone else is thinking the same thing. This guide explains how our lead time works, what comes before and after it, and how to work backward from the date you want your awning or screen in use. We keep the numbers to what our awnings and motorized screens pages already say, and we do not promise dates before you have a written quote.

A custom awning is built after you sign, which is why the planning happens before the season starts.

What does “3 to 4 weeks” actually include?

For custom retractable awnings and motorized screens, we quote the full process at about 3 to 4 weeks from a signed quote. Every unit is custom-built to your opening, so a good part of that time is the build itself. The sequence looks like this:

1. Request an estimate. You call or submit the form and we talk through the space.
2. Free on-site visit. We measure the opening, look at the mounting surface and show fabric or mesh samples at your home.
3. Written quote. You choose a size, fabric or mesh, and options such as a wind sensor.
4. You sign. The 3 to 4 week clock starts here.
5. Custom build. Your unit is made to the measurements we took.
6. Install day. Most installs are completed in a single day.

Steps 1 to 3 depend on you and on the calendar, which is why they are the part to start early. Our what to expect at a free estimate guide describes the visit, and our installation guide covers install day.

How to count back from the date you want it

The arithmetic is simple. If you want the product in use by a certain date, subtract four weeks for the conservative end of our 3 to 4 weeks range, and you have the latest date to sign. Then give yourself time before that for the estimate and for deciding. Here is an example for spring 2027:

These dates are arithmetic, not a guarantee. Your install date is confirmed after you sign, and the schedule can shift with weather and with how many projects are ahead of yours. On our exterior solar shades page we note that we book installs three to four weeks out during peak season, so signing early gives you the widest choice of dates.

What can add time before the clock starts?

Because the lead time begins at a signed quote, the delays that matter most come earlier. Here are the ones we see most often:

• Choosing. Fabric, mesh, frame color and options take real consideration. Our fabric choices guide helps narrow the list before the visit.
• Permits and zoning. Whether you need a building or zoning permit depends on your town and the project. The Connecticut Office of the State Building Inspector oversees the State Building Code, and your local building official applies it. We list the questions to ask in our permits and HOA guide.
• HOA, condominium or architectural review. Some communities require written approval before you order. Get that in hand first, or ask us for the spec sheet you need to apply.
• Budget alignment. If you are comparing options, our awning cost guide explains what moves the price so you can decide faster.
• Site questions. A wall that needs reinforcement, a gutter in the way or an irregular opening can add a conversation or a second look. We spot these at the visit.

Why order in winter?

We are not going to invent a seasonal backlog number, because it changes every year. The practical reasons to start early are the ones you can verify yourself:

• The clock is fixed, the calendar is not. A 3 to 4 week build is the same in January as in May. Starting in winter just moves the clock to a time when nothing is waiting on it.
• You can decide without a deadline. Choosing fabric in front of a bare deck in February is easier than choosing in a hurry the week before a graduation party.
• Approvals take time. A zoning or HOA review can be completed while you wait, not while the weather warms up.
• You can see the site clearly. Without leaves or furniture, it is easier to see how the sun and the structure line up.

If you are still weighing seasons, our best time to install guide goes through it in more detail.

Awnings, screens and shades: does the lead time differ?

The figure we publish is about 3 to 4 weeks from a signed quote, and we use it on our awnings and motorized screens pages. Each product is custom-built to your measurements, which is the main driver. Because options, sizes and fabrics vary, always ask for the date that applies to your exact order when you receive your written quote. For Mirage door screens, ask about timing at the estimate. If you are choosing between products, our solar shades vs retractable screens comparison explains where each one fits.

Your pre-estimate checklist

• Photos of the deck, porch or wall from a few angles, plus a rough idea of the width and how far out you want shade to reach.
• The direction the space faces and the time of day it gets hot or buggy.
• Whether you are in a condominium or HOA community, and who approves exterior changes.
• Any must-have options: a wind sensor, a wall switch, smartphone control or lighting. Our power options guide explains what is available.
• A short list of fabric or mesh colors you like, even if you plan to choose at the visit.

Come with that list and the visit goes faster. You can also read ahead in our spring checklist so the unit is ready for its first day of use.

Frequently asked questions