If you have an existing pergola and choose to buy factory direct and install it yourself, a good rule of thumb is $23.00/sq ft for a manual canopy with standard 8" valances front and rear.

In any event, ShadeFX canopies are the best value canopy system available. This is because they are part of a frame system that is either existing or one that needs to be constructed. The price of the canopy and the pergola frame combined can range from $30.00/sq ft to $50.00/sq ft or more when installed by the contractor. The best value point is about $40.00/sq ft.

The excellent value of ShadeFX is realized when the resistance to wind and rain allow you to enjoy the area under the canopy more like an outdoor room than a deck with sun protection. It gives you the freedom to really live outdoors for the seasons that allow it. Many customers use infrared heaters and gas hearths to extend the enjoyment well into the fall when the evenings can get cool. Compare that to the cost of a hard roofed 3 season room and the value is clear.

This is what you or your contractor gets in a kit:

• 1 monorail beam with integral manual draw cord operation or integral motor drive
• 1 ready to attach canopy assembly (Sunbrella fabric with 5 year warranty)
• All related installation hardware which is simply fastening screws

NOTE: The optional remote control motor drive is $750.00 till December 31, 2008. As of Jan 2009 the pricing of the option changes to $750 for drives up to 10' long then an additional 50.00/foot over 10'. Therefore a 16' motor drive will be a $1050.00 option in 2009.