From the initial concept to the unveiling of the finished project, the creation of retractable canopy systems requires well-established expertise at every step along the way. This includes designers and engineers to bring your vision to life, manufacturing and installation teams to create top-quality products, and dependable project management to keep it all on track.
When working with the Retractable Structures team at Eide Industries, we work to understand your project’s goals and safety requirements, and we create retractable canopy systems that best suit your needs. We know that each project is unique, so our team of experts guide you through our five-stage design/build process.
Stage 1: Project Launch & Design – Turning vision into a design.
The design process begins with an exploration of the project’s goals, location, and required functionality. We explore questions such as:
- Will the canopy protect against rain or just sun?
- Should the material be translucent for natural lighting or opaque for full shade?
- Will it be manual or motorized?
- What are the space requirements and associated limitations?
- What is the desired look when the structure is retracted?
- Is the “fabric tensioned retracted” or “stacked swaged design preferred”? Or is it preferable to have the structure roll up into a housing?
- What are the architect’s current plans, and is a concept design needed?
Once these initial questions are answered, our team then walks through fabric selection with the client – discussing colors, textures, and transparency and sending fabric samples to help the process. Discussions about the fabric fire rating requirements also begins during this stage of the project. If rain protection is the main goal, then plans are developed for a waterproof management system.
Step 2: Engineering – Creating reliable and efficient plans.
Once the initial designs are started, engineers enter the process to ensure the safety and viability of the project. Renderings and geo-locating technology allows for sun studies, and field surveys are completed to ensure details about the space are being fully considered. Our engineers analyze all structural aspects of the design, including wind load considerations, and complete certified engineered drawings.
Step 3: Proposals & Plans – Preparing for the next steps.
With a clearly defined project scope and completed system design, our retractable structures sales department team then develops the final proposal. Once agreed upon, the retractable structures sales department begins working with the client on city permitting.
Step 4: Manufacturing – Bringing plans to life.
Our priority is to create top-quality and durable retractable canopy systems, which is why we are proud to manufacture our products here in our California-based facility. Operating from a 41,000-square foot manufacturing facility with over 70 years of experience, our in-house team retains complete quality control at every step along the way. During the manufacturing stage of the design-build process, we handle all steel welding, aluminum welding, fabric patterning, fabric sewing, custom tailoring, and any PVC or PTFE heat sealing (if applicable to the project).
Step 5: Installation – Unveiling your finished product.
The installation of your retractable canopy systems requires precision and expertise, so we employ an elite team of installation experts who are highly trained and experienced. As a design-build specialty contractor, Eide Industries and each team member in its Retractable Structures division understands the importance of paying attention to every detail, and we fully plan the installation process, so it unfolds as smoothly as possible.
Are Commercial Retractable Canopy Systems Right for Your Property?
At Retractable Structures (a division of Eide Industries, Inc.), we specialize in designing, manufacturing, and engineering commercial retractable structures and awnings. With almost 80 years of extensive design, construction, metal fabrication, industrial sewing, and installation experience, we are proud to offer the highest quality custom and pre-engineered products possible, made right here in the U.S.
