Textile solar protection covers a wide range of products. Jentschmann has machinery, systems, and expertise in the following market areas:

Retractable Awnings:

This type of awning rolls onto a tube when shade is not desired, so they are popular in residential / patio applications. These are typically custom made to meet consumer size and fabric color demand.

The fabric cover is typically made from woven acrylic fabric panels which must be cut and joined together with high precision to ensure proper rolling onto the tube when retracted.

Although "Drop Arm" supports can be used, most retractables use a "Lateral Arm" support structure because it provides longer extensions,  free side clearance, and allows decorative valance or retractable sun screens to be installed at the front of the awning.

Cassette style enclosures can also be found on larger / high end RV's since they totally enclose the awning when retracted / travelling.

RV Awnings:

RV awnings are a special category of retractable awnings. They are typically made with "Drop Arm" supports and use PVC coated fabrics to provide rain protection as well as shade.

Since they are generally installed when the RV is manufactured, sizes and fabric colors are more standardized. Combined with a simpler fabric construction method, this allows highly automated production methods to be used.

Stationary Awnings / Canopies:

By attaching a fabric cover to a fixed or permanent support structure, full time sun and rain protection can be provided. These are typically found in commercial applications to provide restaurant patio coverage, building entry / walkway coverage, or trademark window / storefront protection.

In some cases the fabric cover may be removed and stored for the winter season. 

Although normal woven acrylic fabric can be used, in many cases fire and enhanced water resistance requires specially coated or treated fabrics.

Since the fabric cover is exposed to strong wind and possible rain loads, joining seams and frame attachment methods must provide high strength and be waterproof.

Rollos / Rolling Window Screens

These provide sun protection for windows and can be rolled up, normally in the vertical direction, when full visibility / air flow is desired.

Specially designed fabrics with varying degress of "openness" are generally used so that there is some degree of visibility and/or light transmission through the window, while blocking strong sun / heat entry into the building.

These fabrics are typically PVC laminated onto a polyester or fiberglass substrate, or the yarn fibers may be PVC coated and then woven into fabric. The latter type of fabric generally requires re-inforcing tape along the edges to stabilize the fabric when it is rolled up / down.

Rolling shades can be designed for "Interior" or "Exterior" installation by the use of appropriate fabric and installation methods. Exterior rolling shades are typically more complex to manufacture because they require side support or guidance to withstand wind loads.

Fabric construction typically requires welding to join fabric panels together to provide the required finished size or to form pockets for weight or stabilizing bars.

Gluing is becoming more widely used as "Green" (non-PVC) fabric coatings become more common, to bond dis-similar materials such as zippers or extrusions onto the fabric, or to provide less visible seams.