When you purchase an Aristocrat Retractable Awning, you’re investing in more than just shade for your patio. You’re choosing a product backed by decades of American manufacturing, skilled craftsmanship, and a company that has been helping homeowners enjoy the outdoors since 1946.
As Craft-Bilt Manufacturing celebrates 80 years in business, we’re proud to reflect on the values that have shaped every product we build. While manufacturing techniques have evolved over the decades, our commitment to quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction has remained unchanged. Those principles continue to guide the Aristocrat brand today.
Eight Decades of Quality
When Bud Stone founded Craft-Bilt Manufacturing in 1946, he believed quality workmanship and outstanding customer service would always stand the test of time. Eighty years later, that philosophy is still evident in every product that leaves our manufacturing facility.
As homeowner lifestyles changed and outdoor living became increasingly important, Craft-Bilt expanded its product offerings to meet those needs. The addition of the Aristocrat Awning line in 1986 marked an exciting new chapter, allowing us to bring the same commitment to craftsmanship to retractable awnings, pergola canopies, exterior solar shades, and other custom shade solutions.
Today, these shade products help families across North America spend more time outdoors in comfort while enhancing the beauty and value of their homes.
American Made Awnings Built with Purpose
Our long history has also reinforced something we believe is just as important today as it was in 1946: where a product is made matters. Aristocrat Awnings are proudly made in the United States. This allows us to maintain complete control over every stage of production, from sourcing quality materials to final inspection.
It also gives us the flexibility to build each awning to order instead of relying on one-size-fits-all solutions. Every homeowner has different needs, and every patio is unique. By custom-manufacturing each awning, we’re able to deliver a product that fits beautifully, performs reliably, and is built specifically for the home where it will be installed.
Where Innovation Meets Craftsmanship
Behind every finished awning is a carefully managed manufacturing process that combines advanced technology with experienced craftsmanship. Precision equipment measures, cuts, welds, and assembles components with remarkable accuracy, while skilled team members inspect each product throughout production to ensure it meets our exacting standards.
Technology has transformed manufacturing over the past 80 years, making production more efficient and more consistent. Yet despite those advances, the human element remains just as important. Experienced craftspeople continue to oversee every step of the process, bringing decades of knowledge and attention to detail that machines simply can’t replace.
That combination of innovation and craftsmanship is one of the reasons Aristocrat products continue to earn the confidence of homeowners and dealers alike.
Designed for the Way You Live
A retractable awning should do far more than provide shade. It should transform a hot patio into a comfortable outdoor retreat, protect outdoor furnishings from harmful UV rays, reduce solar heat entering your home, and make it easier to enjoy meals, family gatherings, or quiet evenings outside.
Because every Aristocrat Awning is built with premium materials and engineered for long-term performance, homeowners can count on years of dependable operation with minimal maintenance. It’s an investment that continues season after season.
Supported by Local Experts
Building a premium awning is only part of the equation. Proper design, installation, and service are equally important to ensuring years of reliable performance.
That’s why Aristocrat partners with an extensive network of independent dealers throughout the United States. These experienced professionals help homeowners choose the ideal awning size, fabric, frame color, and operating options while ensuring each installation is customized for the home’s architecture and outdoor living space.
From the first consultation to the final installation, our dealers share the same commitment to quality and customer satisfaction that has defined Craft-Bilt for the past eight decades.
Looking Toward the Future
Celebrating an 80-year milestone naturally invites reflection, but it also inspires us to look ahead.
Outdoor living continues to evolve, and homeowners are finding new ways to enjoy their patios, decks, and backyards. As those needs change, Aristocrat remains committed to developing innovative shade solutions, investing in advanced manufacturing technologies, and supporting the dealers who bring our products to communities across North America.
While the products may continue to evolve, our purpose remains remarkably consistent: build exceptional products that homeowners can rely on for years to come.
Thank You for Being Part of Our Journey
Every Aristocrat Retractable Awning tells a story that began 80 years ago with a commitment to quality, integrity, and American craftsmanship. Those values continue to shape every product we manufacture and every customer relationship we build.
Whether you’re already enjoying an Aristocrat awning or are considering adding one to your home, thank you for being part of our journey. We look forward to helping homeowners create comfortable, beautiful outdoor spaces for generations to come.
