Tuga,

Be VERY careful leaving that Girard awning open in the rain.

Their own documentation states clearly that their awning is a sun shade only, and not intended to be open during significant rainfall. If there is a sudden downpour, the rain can collect on the fabric and stretch it down between the rafters, then not be able to automatically retract if the wind kicks up.

Luckily, we never experienced that with our Girard, but I have seen it happen to others....