This is a product that is heavy-duty, fully assembled, DIY, and hand-crafted. Its manual operation includes a pre-installed gear (standard left-side crank) and a 5 ft long crank handle/rocker arm to extend and retract the awning manually. The framework is made out of beautiful commercial-grade steel and aluminum that is powder-coated for protection and rust resistance. The awnings' lateral arms are spring-loaded and retract vertically up against the surface. The awning fabric cover and valance are woven out of standard grade 100% acrylic fabric and have resistant coatings to help (1) maintain its rich colour while being exposed to harsh UV rays, (2) prevent mildew and soil buildup, and (3) maintain a water-resistant barrier allow for rain to roll off of the awning and not soak through the fabric. It is recommended that the awnings are used only during sunny weather and to avoid the use of the awning during poor weather conditions such as rain, snow, high winds, etc. Overall, the performance of the awning is highly durable. Awntech guarantees quality and ensures that these retractable awnings have a long-lasting design and structure.