KE Durasol Awnings: What KE Outdoor Design Makes and How It Is Sold
Quick answer
KE Durasol is the former name of KE Outdoor Design USA, a shading manufacturer based in Chester, New York, that has made retractable awnings and related products since 1984 and builds Italian-designed systems in the US. It sells only through authorized dealers who measure, install and service, so it sits in the dealer or premium tier, typically $2,500 to $7,000 for a manual-size retractable unit before motorization.
KE Durasol and KE Outdoor Design are the same company. KE Durasol was the long-standing US name of what now trades as KE Outdoor Design USA, a manufacturer of retractable awnings, pergolas, exterior solar screens and stationary awnings based in Chester, New York, about 50 miles north of New York City. The company dates to 1984, designs its products around the Italian KE range, and builds them to order in the US. You cannot buy KE online and install it yourself in the usual way: it reaches homeowners through authorized dealers, which places it in the dealer or premium tier alongside brands like Eclipse Shading Systems.
This profile explains who is behind the brand, what the product range covers in general terms, how buying and installation work, how to read the warranty, and who should look elsewhere. It is a factual profile, not a review. For how KE compares with other tiers, see best retractable awning brands.
Who makes KE Durasol awnings
The naming causes confusion, so it is worth untangling:
- KE Outdoor Design (Italy): an Italian shading manufacturer headquartered in the Venice area, making pergolas, awnings, roller screens and shade sails. It is part of a larger Italian shading group.
- KE Outdoor Design USA (formerly KE Durasol): the US company in Chester, NY. It describes its products as designed in Italy and built in the USA, with manufacturing in its Chester facility. Older brochures, dealer websites and online reviews still use "KE Durasol" or "Durasol," so all three names usually refer to the same US product line.
Practically, this matters for parts and service. If you own an older awning labeled Durasol or KE Durasol, the US company is still the source for compatible parts and re-covers, usually ordered through a dealer. A label reading only "KE" on a newer unit is the same supply chain.
Note: "Durasol" has also appeared in other company and product names over the years. If an old awning just says "Durasol," look for a serial or model label on the end cap or front bar and confirm with a KE dealer before ordering parts.
Market position: a dealer and premium brand
KE sits at the custom, professionally installed end of the market. The main differences from direct-to-consumer brands such as SunSetter and Advaning are in how the product is specified and who is accountable afterward.
| Factor | KE Outdoor Design (dealer) | Direct-to-consumer | Budget online |
|---|---|---|---|
| How you buy | Local authorized dealer quotes on site | Online or by phone, shipped to you | Online marketplaces |
| Sizing | Built to measured width and projection | Standard sizes | Fixed sizes |
| Housing options | Open, semi-cassette and full cassette styles | Mostly open roll, some covers | Mostly open roll |
| Installation | Dealer crew | DIY or hired installer | DIY |
| Typical manual-size unit price | $2,500 to $7,000 | $600 to $2,500 | Low end of $600 to $2,500 or below |
| Service after sale | Dealer handles adjustments and claims | Phone support, parts by mail | Online support |
Prices are typical 2026 US ranges for the tier, not KE price quotes. Dealers set their own pricing, and motorization, sensors, lighting and difficult mounting add to the total. Run your own size and options through the awning cost calculator before meeting a dealer so you can judge whether a quote is in a reasonable range.
Product range in general terms
KE Outdoor Design USA makes a wider shading range than most awning brands. Model names change, so treat this as a map of categories rather than a catalog:
- Retractable lateral-arm awnings: open-roll, semi-cassette and full-cassette designs for walls, soffits and roofs. Full-cassette models enclose the fabric and arms when closed, which protects fabric from dirt, birds and weather. See cassette awnings for the trade-offs.
- Built-in awnings: units designed to be recessed into a building's structure for a flush look, usually specified during new construction or renovation.
- Retractable tension shade systems: guided fabric systems for larger or angled spans.
- Pergolas: the Gennius line of retractable-roof and louvered-roof pergolas.
- Exterior solar screens: vertical drop screens for windows and open patio sides, including track-guided models.
- Stationary awnings and canopies: fixed residential and commercial frames, including entrance canopies and dome shapes.
The company states that its products carry European EN 13561 product markings for external blinds and awnings. EN 13561 assigns wind resistance classes 0 to 3, with a higher class meaning the unit was tested to a higher wind load. A class rating is specific to a model and size, so ask the dealer which class applies to the exact width and projection you are buying, not to the product family. The awning wind ratings guide explains how to read these numbers.
How buying and installation work
Because KE is dealer-sold, the dealer's competence matters as much as the factory's. A typical sequence:
- Site visit. The dealer measures the wall, checks the mounting surface and its framing, notes obstructions such as gutters, windows and downspouts, and discusses use (sun, rain shelter, privacy).
- Specification. Width, projection, housing style, fabric, frame color, motor, controls, sensors and lighting are chosen. Custom builds mean a lead time of several weeks is normal.
- Electrical planning. Motorized units need an outdoor outlet or a hardwired circuit. Dealers often coordinate an electrician; budget $200 to $800 for that work if no suitable circuit exists.
- Installation. The crew mounts brackets into solid structure, hangs the unit, sets the pitch and programs motor limits.
- Handover. You should be shown the manual override, the wind-sensor behavior and how to set pitch, and receive the warranty documents.
Ask the dealer how long they have sold KE, whether they install with their own crews, and whether they stock common parts. Mounting quality is a frequent cause of trouble on any brand, especially on brick, stucco and soffits; mounting on brick, siding and stucco lists what a good installer checks.
Worked example: a dealer quote, line by line
Worked example
A homeowner wants a full-cassette motorized awning 16 ft wide with 11 ft projection on a west-facing wood-framed wall. Illustrative line items using the site's reference ranges:
Motorized cassette unit: $7,400. Wind sensor: $250. Dealer installation: $900. Electrician for a new outdoor circuit: $450. Total: $7,400 + $250 + $900 + $450 = $9,000.
Pitch check: at 11 ft projection and the common 14 degree minimum for drainage, the front bar sits about 3 inches lower per foot of projection, so 11 x 3 = 33 inches below the bracket line. If the bracket is at 9 ft, the front bar ends near 6 ft 3 in, which is low enough for tall guests to notice. The dealer may raise the brackets or propose a slightly shorter projection.
Ownership cost: if the frame lasts 20 years and the fabric is re-covered once at $1,500, the yearly cost is ($9,000 + $1,500) / 20 = $525.
Use the awning size planner to test projection and pitch before the site visit, and see awning projection and pitch for the head-height arithmetic.
Warranty structure
KE states that its products are backed by a KE warranty, and dealers have advertised long frame coverage on some models together with separate fabric coverage from the fabric maker. As with most premium awnings, expect the warranty to be split into parts:
- Frame and arms: usually the longest coverage, sometimes described as limited lifetime on certain models.
- Fabric: covered by the fabric manufacturer's terms, for example Sunbrella's 10-year limited warranty; check current terms for the specific fabric you choose.
- Motor and electronics: often around 5 years from the motor maker.
- Labor: set by the dealer, often much shorter than parts coverage.
Confirm the current written terms for your model before signing, and ask whether the frame warranty is pro-rated, whether it transfers to a new homeowner, and who pays labor on a warranty repair. Awning warranties covers the fine print in detail.
What to check before buying
- The quote names the exact model, housing type, width, projection and arm series.
- The EN 13561 wind class, if declared, applies to your size.
- Fabric brand and color are named, with the fabric warranty in writing.
- Motor brand, control protocol and sensor type are listed, plus how manual override works.
- Mounting method and hardware suit your wall (masonry anchors, blocking behind siding, soffit or roof brackets).
- The dealer's labor warranty and response time for service calls are written down.
- Permit or HOA approval is addressed.
Who KE suits and who should look elsewhere
A good fit if you want a custom width or projection, a full-cassette look, or a coordinated set of awnings, screens and a pergola from one manufacturer, and you have a capable KE dealer within reach. It also suits buyers who value one local company handling measurement, installation and service.
Look elsewhere if you want to install the awning yourself, a standard size fits your patio, or there is no active KE dealer in your area. Without local service, a premium dealer product loses much of its advantage. Direct-to-consumer brands such as SunSetter or Advaning are simpler for a straightforward wall, and budget brands such as Aleko or Outsunny fit small, sheltered, occasional-use spots.
Among other premium options, Marygrove manufactures and installs its own awnings in the regions it serves, which is a different model from KE's independent dealers.
Frequently asked questions
Is KE Durasol the same as KE Outdoor Design?
Yes. KE Outdoor Design USA states that it was formerly known as KE Durasol. The company is based in Chester, New York, and has made shading products since 1984. Older brochures, dealer sites and owner manuals may still say KE Durasol or Durasol, but they generally refer to the same US company and its product line, which is now marketed under the KE Outdoor Design name.
Where are KE awnings made?
KE Outdoor Design USA describes its products as designed in Italy and built in the USA, with manufacturing at its facility in Chester, New York. The design lineage comes from the Italian KE brand. If country of manufacture matters to you, for example for a project specification, ask the dealer to confirm where your specific model and components, including the motor, are produced.
Can I buy a KE awning online and install it myself?
KE sells through authorized dealers rather than directly to homeowners, and its products are custom-built to measured sizes, so self-installation is not the normal route. Dealers measure, install and handle warranty service. If you want a do-it-yourself retractable awning, a direct-to-consumer brand sold in standard sizes is usually a better match.
How much does a KE retractable awning cost?
KE does not publish consumer prices; dealers quote each job. As a dealer-tier brand, expect roughly $2,500 to $7,000 for a manual-size retractable unit, with motorized and installed totals typically $2,500 to $9,000 and large premium units $10,000 or more. Cassette housings, sensors, lighting and difficult mounting push quotes higher.
Can I still get parts for an old Durasol awning?
Often, yes. Start by finding any model or serial label, usually on an end cap or the front bar, then contact a KE dealer or the company directly. Fabric re-covers are commonly possible on a sound frame. Very old arm or motor parts may be discontinued, in which case a dealer can advise whether repair or replacement makes more sense.
Sources and further reading
- KE Outdoor Design USA: About KE USA (company history, Chester, NY facility, product categories)
- European Committee for Standardization: EN 13561, External blinds and awnings: performance requirements including safety
- Glen Raven, Sunbrella: awning and marine fabric limited warranty
- Professional Awning Manufacturers Association (PAMA): consumer resources on awnings
How we write our guides: figures are typical US ranges checked against manufacturer documentation, published standards and installer pricing. Read our editorial standards. Spotted an error or outdated detail? Request a correction.