Premium Ford Pickup Tonneau Covers: Hard, Soft, and More
I spend numerous time around vans. Family rigs, fleet rigs, farm rigs with feed sacks stacked to the rails. A top tonneau disguise adjustments how a truck works daily. It shields tools from rain and mud, cuts down the racket in the bed, assists in keeping trustworthy workers sincere, and cleans up the silhouette of a pickup. Ford proprietors ask typically on account that the F-one hundred fifty and its siblings function day-by-day drivers and jobsite mules. You can dial in a duvet that suits your use. The trick is deciding on the properly variety and material, then fitting and being concerned for it so it lasts.
This handbook walks by not easy and cushy techniques for Ford pickups, the change-offs I have seen in the subject, and how they examine throughout different prevalent trucks. If you are looking Tonneau Covers on the market and trying to decode the lingo, you may go away with a working playbook.
How a tonneau disguise adjustments your truck
Start with two tangible adjustments. types of pickup bed covers First, weather. Even a essential roll-up gentle tonneau deflects rain and snow nicely enough that cardboard bins, luggage, and equipment journey refreshing and dry. I actually have hauled a pair of composite doors a hundred and twenty miles because of a winter storm less than a mid-grade Ford F-a hundred and fifty cushy canopy, and the solely moisture came from condensation beneath the rails. Second, security. A Locking tonneau duvet, noticeably a arduous clamshell or a durable aluminum tri-fold, retains the casual thief from buying your mattress at a gas station.
You also achieve efficiency. At street speeds, overlaying the bed can trim aerodynamic drag. Real-international experiences fluctuate, and I am careful with claims, however many drivers see a 0.5 to at least one.five mpg growth on an F-150 or Ranger. That won't pay for the cover via itself, yet over 30,000 miles it buys a tank or two.
Finally, every day usability. With groceries, exercises equipment, work instruments, or searching kits, the mattress will become a mammoth trunk. Add a shipment divider or molle panel, and you forestall the pile from sliding ahead on every occasion you brake.
Fitment basics on Ford trucks
The Ford pickup tonneau cover landscape breaks into 3 families: F-150, Ranger, and Super Duty. Within these, mattress period and generation topic. F-150 beds by and large come in five.5, 6.five, and 8 ft. Ranger bed quilt choices repeatedly aim the five and six foot beds. Super Duty truck bed cover fitment tracks 6.seventy five and eight ft. Coil-spring vs leaf-spring, or FX4 vs Platinum, hardly ever influence fit, yet a sprig-in liner or bed caps can tighten tolerances. Measure two times, the outdated carpenter rule still applies. I actually have again a couple of pristine duvet on the grounds that the proprietor misinterpret bed length by means of a couple of inches.
If you've got a Ford F-150 tonneau cover on a 2014 and circulation to a 2021, do now not think it fits. Rail profiles replaced. Newer F-150s additionally have the chronic tailgate liberate. Some Locking tonneau hide designs depend upon tailgate locks to steady the rear panel, so be sure compatibility.
Hard, comfortable, roll-up, folding, and retractable explained
The terms confuse clients because brands blend options. Think with the aid of mechanism first, then by way of shell drapery.
Soft tonneau conceal is the umbrella for vinyl or canvas skinned covers stretched over bows. They are ordinarily Roll-up tonneau cover designs or tender tri-folds. A comfortable roll-up mounts rails to the bed caps and locks with a latch on the tailgate. You roll the vinyl to the cab once you want open space. They are faded, low-priced, and quick to take away. Downsides show up in top wind and heavy snow. They do high-quality in rain, yet they do no longer alternate mattress safety so much unless paired with a locking tailgate.
Hard tonneau duvet method inflexible panels or a one-piece shell. Fiberglass tonneau canopy and One-piece tonneau conceal ideas hinge close to the cab. Folding tonneau duvet items use aluminum or composite panels in bi-fold or Tri-fold tonneau cowl configurations. Retractable tonneau cover designs slide right into a canister on the cab, normally powered by using spring stress or a motor. They supply improved defense and retain up to climate and cargo. They can charge more, upload weight, and in many instances devour a piece of mattress size for the canister.
Waterproof tonneau cover is a loaded word. No duvet seals like a submarine hatch around stake pockets and tailgates. Quality units control water with seals and drain tubes. If you put in them appropriately and protect seals, you get ninety five to ninety eight % dryness in hurricane situations. Aim for water resistant and you may be happier.
What I counsel with the aid of use case
A family unit truck that hauls strollers, weekend camping out equipment, and the occasional equipment wants quick get right of entry to and pale weight. A proper Ford F-a hundred and fifty delicate disguise in roll-up sort hits the mark. It quotes less, adds little weight, and lets you roll it away for tall rather a lot. If you want a bit of greater stiffness, a cushy tri-fold locks down higher in crosswinds.
A tradesperson who retail outlets tools within the mattress deserve to step into a demanding answer. The F-150 rough tonneau conceal industry now affords narrow aluminum tri-folds with built-in locks that pair along with your tailgate. I understand a homestead inspector who makes use of a low-profile aluminum tonneau with torsion bars. He can open the rear panel with one hand, take hold of ladders and meters, then lock it down while he parks curbside.
Overlanders and folks who mount racks above the bed face yet another layer. Many Retractable tonneau conceal strategies now comprise T-slot rails to simply accept crossbars. You can run a rooftop tent over a Ranger bed canopy or mount motorcycles and kayaks. The alternate-off is the canister. If you load long lumber continuously, degree the place that canister sits. On a brief mattress Ranger, you think each and every inch.
Heavy snow zones like Michigan and Colorado favor difficult panels with larger static weight ratings. Fiberglass tonneau cowl shells can care for a heavy snow sell off, yet they restrict partial opening. Tri-fold aluminum tonneau covers with three hundred to 400 pound disbursed weight ratings do pleasant and give higher flexibility.
Material selections that grasp up
Vinyl tonneau disguise skins range commonly. Cheap vinyl cracks in a single to 3 winters while you park outdoors. Look for UV-stabilized, marine-grade vinyl with a grain that resists pooling water. Keep it conditioned two times a 12 months, and it looks presentable for six to 8 years.
Aluminum tonneau canopy panels strike the first-rate stability for maximum users. Powder-coated constructions shrug off salt bigger than bare aluminum. Internal foam cores hose down vibration. I prefer clamp-on rails that use metal inserts to steer clear of galling. Expect a lifespan of seven to 10 years with natural use.
Fiberglass tonneau hide shells glance remarkable on colour-matched vans. A One-piece tonneau quilt creates a sparkling line, essentially like a recreation truck. They seal smartly, they're quiet, and paint may well be repaired like any frame panel. Downsides are weight and access. You want struts to dangle them open and enough ceiling clearance in the storage to raise. If you tailgate with bikes within the bed every weekend, pivoting the total shell gets old quickly.

Ford fashions, then the rest
Most laborers buying a Ford F-150 tonneau hide additionally own or force different trucks inside the spouse and children, so it allows to evaluate across brands.
On Ford, the F-150 bed disguise environment is the private. You can find every little thing from price range delicate roll-united statesto top class retractables with integrated LEDs. The Super Duty truck bed disguise space trends towards exhausting tri-fold and heavy-responsibility retractables due to the fact that vendors tow and haul greater. A farmer I be aware of runs a Ford F-350 with a low-profile retractable that sits less than a ladder rack. He likes that he can lock the quilt at intermediate positions, then strap irrigation pipe above.
The Ford Ranger tonneau disguise industry is extra touchy to weight and canister length. The midsize mattress loses sensible space quickly, so folding covers see extra use than sizeable canisters. A Ranger mattress cowl that folds to near the cab supplies full-bed get entry to devoid of portions ingesting area.
If you are pass-procuring, the Chevy Silverado tonneau cover and GMC Sierra mattress cover strategies replicate F-a hundred and fifty options. Silverado truck mattress duvet fitment is straightforward, and Silverado arduous cover types align closely with Sierra comfortable tonneau disguise variants by company. On the midsize aspect, the Chevy Colorado tonneau hide continuously gets paired with a rack, that's why the Colorado folding hide phase sells effectively. The GMC Canyon bed disguise market follows suit.
Ram householders have effective enhance too. The Ram 1500 tonneau quilt class is deep, and lock compatibility is strong owing to their tailgate designs. Dodge Ram bed conceal fitment would be intricate with the RamBox, notwithstanding, for the reason that bed rails fluctuate. Ram 2500 tonneau quilt buyers skew to exhausting tri-folds and Ram retractable duvet strategies for security. If you want a Ram truck bed quilt that carries snow a lot, determine panel weight ratings conscientiously. The Ram 1500 challenging cover marketplace degrees from a hundred and fifty pound to 500 pound static rankings. A Dodge Ram mushy cover is still a solid price range elect in the event you stay in milder climates.
Toyota drivers have their very own nuances. The Toyota Tacoma tonneau conceal classification has awesome aftermarket innovation, partially considering that Tacoma homeowners mod all the things. The Tacoma bed cover class blends mushy roll-u.s.a.for on daily basis use and Tacoma arduous tonneau cowl versions for off-highway tour. The Toyota Tundra tonneau duvet space is growing to be instant with the redesigned truck. Tundra truck mattress cowl structures now combine well with bed step and camera tech. If you might be rate sensitive on a Toyota pickup mattress cover, comfortable roll-u.s.a.and budget tri-folds supply lots of significance.
How extraordinary mechanisms work within the genuine world
Roll-up covers are the lightest, most of the time below forty pounds. They mount with clamps, which implies that you could set up them in a driveway in lower than an hour with a ten mm socket and an Allen key. The key to keeping them tight is to rectangular the rails to the cab and tailgate and to regulate tensioners with the seasons. Heat loosens vinyl. I tweak mine twice a 12 months.
Folding tonneau canopy designs break up into delicate and hard. Soft tri-folds are nonetheless pale and hassle-free. Hard tri-folds upload stress and quite often amplify safeguard because the panels withstand slashing. They turn forward panel by way of panel, and some brands allow full vertical stacking near the cab. Watch for cab contact when stacked. I even have obvious a tall folded stack nick a third brake gentle housing on a steep driveway. Rubber bumpers and straps remember right here.
Retractable tonneau canopy setups shine for blended-use vans. You can pull the cover to any period and lock it, that is accessible for holding a motorcycle wheel between panels. The canister is the compromise. A 9 to 12 inch container lives on the cab. On an F-a hundred and fifty 5.5 foot mattress it is just not a dealbreaker. On a Ranger short bed, you suppose it. Drains have to be routed adequately, otherwise you get a moist canister and a moldy wonder.
Clamshell fiberglass or composite One-piece tonneau duvet treatments create the cleanest appearance. They additionally swallow mattress depth less than canisters. They hinge at the cab, elevate with gasoline struts, and ceaselessly use a keyed lock. A desirable one weighs 80 to 120 pounds. Install with a friend. If your storage is tight, degree the open height, then scan that you'll open it less than the storage door rails.
Security and climate overall performance, no fairy tales
A Locking tonneau duvet improves defense, however it seriously is not a financial institution vault. Hard aluminum or composite panels sluggish thieves, and that they maintain out the opportunist. Pair the duvet with a locking tailgate and a mattress device container that bolts by way of the mattress ground. That combo stops 90 % of informal thefts. If you prevent costly survey tools or firearms inside the bed, add a metal drawer approach beneath the canopy. Layered safety discourages obstacle.
Waterproof tonneau duvet claims deserve scrutiny. High-exceptional seals, corner caps, and tailgate gaskets store so much water out. The susceptible factors are stake pockets and the tailgate hole. Some covers embody foam tailgate seals. Add them once you see grime stripes after dirt roads. If you drill for drain tubes, coat holes with primer or rust inhibitor, highly on older F-150s. I actually have seen more mattress rust bounce at sloppy drain holes than anyplace else apart from wheel wells.
A brief fitment checklist
- Measure the mattress from the interior of the bulkhead to the inside of of the tailgate, no longer the outside caps.
- Confirm truck 12 months and generation. Small differences damage in good shape.
- Note equipment like bed liners, rail caps, and load control rails.
- Decide how occasionally you need complete-bed get entry to. That possibility makes a decision roll-up, folding, or retractable.
- If you use racks, come to a decision covers with incorporated T-slot rails or verified rack adapters.
Installation data from the driveway
Most progressive covers are definitely DIY friendly. You clamp rails to the mattress caps, align, then fasten panels or vinyl. A few small things separate a quiet, weather-tight set up from an nerve-racking one. Loosely clamp all the pieces, then close the tailgate and align the rear seal. The rear part is in which wind noise and leaks exhibit up. Pull the rails in or out by a few millimeters unless the latches near with a certain click on, now not a slam. Tighten clamps in tiers. On Ford aluminum beds, use the clamp pads furnished to spread load so you do now not dent the cap.
roll up pickup bed coversIf the quilt includes drain tubes, drill a little bit oversize and use the grommets. Angle the tube downward and clamp it so it does now not pop unfastened whilst you load the bed. For retractables, assess canister squareness with diagonal measurements. A skewed canister binds in chilly weather.
Expect to alter after per week. Seals settle. Latches loosen or stiffen. I ask consumers to bring the truck again after their first dual carriageway run so we can diminish flutter or shift the rails a hair.
Living with a cowl via seasons
Vinyl shrinks in chilly and relaxes in warmness. Keep a small bottle of protectant inside the garage and apply it with a microfiber towel each few months. Avoid petroleum solvents. For aluminum and composite panels, wash with pH-impartial cleaning soap, rinse, and dry to restrict water spotting. If you're taking your truck by using roller automobile washes, determine that the corporation helps it. Hard covers almost always do fine, but mushy roll-united states of americacan seize on brushes unless utterly latched.
Snow load wishes judgment. A gentle dusting sheds nice. A foot of rainy snow weighs plenty. Tri-fold aluminum covers many times claim allotted static lots in the three hundred to 400 pound differ. That assumes even unfold, now not a plow windrow piled on one corner. Sweep heavy snow in place of pounding it off from beneath. The pounding loosens hardware.
Dust ingress on gravel roads is the most important annoyance for people within the West. Add extra tailgate seals and suppose a mattress rug or mat to cut mud swirl. I have covered the tailgate gap with a 2d foam strip on F-150s and dropped dust by means of 0.5.
Price bands and wherein worth sits
Soft roll-ups soar around the low lots and climb into the mid lots for top rate vinyl and higher rails. Soft tri-folds are living in a related band. For many pale-use trucks, that's a sweet spot. They do the task, glance tidy, and dispose of in five minutes if you have to haul a refrigerator.
Hard folding covers run from the high lots of into four figures. You pay for panel stiffness, hinge design, and seals. At the bigger quit, you advantage enhanced locks, nicer finishes, and cleanser low-profile looks. For a piece truck, I find price around the midsection of this quantity the place you get reliable hardware with out procuring emblem gloss.
Retractable tonneau conceal platforms beginning close four figures and climb. Cheaper retractables exist, however they many times skimp on canister high-quality or seals. If you're spending this a lot, get one with aluminum slats, a climate-resistant canister, sturdy latch detents, and serviceable drain tubes. Power retractables exist, and they are easy, notwithstanding I desire manual for simplicity.
Fiberglass one-piece sits any place from the upper midrange to nicely prior the thousand mark should you paint-event. The paint fit is the steeply-priced area. When done good, it appears to be like manufacturing unit. Budget time for paint curing and setting up, and if you happen to plan to sell the truck soon, feel whether or not the next proprietor will like that body-shade shell as lots as you do.
Edge circumstances well worth considering through
If you tow a 5th wheel or gooseneck on a Super Duty, be sure that your cover folds or retracts some distance satisfactory to clean the hitch and that it locks open securely. I have observed a folded stack start quite and contact a trailer in the time of tight maneuvers.
If you lift dogs inside the mattress, a cover traps warmth quick. Crack it or add a canopy with windows instead. A tonneau is amazing for tools, no longer residing cargo.
If you run a mattress-established toolbox, degree closely. Some low-profile tri-folds will open without superb the container while you region the field rather slide and lock bed cover rearward. Otherwise, want a quick toolbox that clears the 1st panel’s arc or pair a retractable with a slim container.
If you park long-time period outdoors close to bushes, retractables accumulate leaves in their canisters. Clean them each season. A jammed slat mid-winter is absolutely not amusing to fix.
A instant comparison snapshot
- Soft roll-up: Light, good value, instant removing, sturdy climate resistance while tensioned. Limited defense.
- Hard tri-fold: Strong mix of safety, get right of entry to, and weather sealing. Slight rear visibility loss while stacked.
- Retractable: Best variable get entry to, appropriate safety, canister takes mattress period, desires careful set up and preservation.
- One-piece fiberglass: Clean seem to be, impressive sealing and quiet ride, heavy and less versatile for tall a lot.
A few actual installs that shaped my view
A 2019 F-one hundred fifty with a 5.5 foot bed, on daily basis-driven by means of a contractor who incorporates ladders, degrees, and camera tools. We put in a midweight aluminum Tri-fold tonneau hide with integrated prop rods, paired to a locking tailgate. He studies zero water intrusion after storms, and with a mattress mat the tools remains positioned. The quilt stacks at the cab with no blockading the 3rd brake light, which helps to keep him prison.
A 2022 Ranger with the quick mattress, used for hiking trips and urban parking. The owner sought after rack compatibility for bikes. We put on a Retractable tonneau cowl with T-slot rails and medium-upward push crossbars. The canister intrudes about eleven inches, so we flipped the spare shipment box orientation and gained to come back house. He loves the talent to fasten the canopy at half of length whilst loading coolers and duffels.
A 2017 F-250 that tows a farm animals trailer. The owner obligatory full access for a gooseneck and desired a specific thing that might not deflect beneath snow. We went with a challenging Folding tonneau cowl rated at 400 pounds static load. It folds permanently upright in opposition t the cab with prop hands that anchor into the bed rails. We added clean paint movie the place the prop pads leisure. It has lived due to two winters with no drama.
Buying and warding off regrets
Before clicking Buy on that F-one hundred fifty bed duvet, assess return regulations. Large covers are steeply-priced to send back. Order by VIN if the store supports it, or no less than triple-test mattress period and model 12 months. If the cost appears to be like suspiciously low, experiment evaluations for in good shape and seal worries. I am not opposed to price manufacturers, however a sloppy rail or bad latch becomes a day-by-day annoyance. Give additional weight to experiences written by using proprietors of your correct truck and bed length.
If you discover Tonneau Covers on the market locally, it can pay to peer them in human being. The change among a thin vinyl conceal and a marine-grade one is obvious by means of touch. Lift a panel, open a latch, cycle a retractable. You will think if the detents and seals are assured or flimsy. A hide you appreciate by means of is the only you could prevent latched, which retains tools riskless and dry.
Care that can pay you back
Wipe seals with a silicone-riskless conditioner twice a 12 months. Tighten clamps on the get started of summer time and winter. Keep drains clear on retractables. Rinse salt from hinges in coastal parts or snowy regions. If a latch begins sticking, do now not force it. Clean, lubricate with a dry Teflon spray, and realign the rail. Little upkeep prevents colossal complications.
If you promote the truck, a sparkling, effectively-fitted quilt facilitates. Buyers like turnkey setups. I even have obvious a tidy not easy folding quilt add a few hundred bucks to a individual sale charge considering the fact that the next proprietor values the ease.
The backside line for Ford owners
Choose the mechanism round how you use the bed, then elect the subject matter depending on weather and safeguard desires. For a Ford F-a hundred and fifty laborious tonneau quilt, aluminum tri-fold is the all-rounder. For a Ford F-one hundred fifty mushy disguise, a pleasant roll-up provides unbeatable worth and speedy get entry to. A Ford Ranger tonneau cowl leans toward folding for space performance. A Super Duty truck bed conceal which may fold upright or retract is the sensible preference for towing and heavy hauling.
If you also shop for pals or fleets with other makes, understand that the parallels. A GMC Sierra mattress duvet or Silverado exhausting hide follows an identical common sense. A Ram 1500 demanding cover pairs properly with a locking tailgate. A Sierra gentle tonneau disguise or a Colorado folding cover matches the finances and use circumstances you count on. On the Toyota edge, a Tacoma challenging tonneau quilt works with racks for weekend journeys, even though a Tundra gentle duvet grants in your price range climate safeguard for a substantial bed.
The properly tonneau makes your truck easier to live with. It earns its retailer each time rain hits, whenever you lock up equipment and walk away, and each time you roll it open to slip in a brand new venture. Pick good, deploy moderately, and it turns into one of those enhancements that feels apparent once you have got it.
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Tonneau Covers
Frequently Asked Questions About Tonneau Covers
What is a tonneau cover?
A tonneau cover is a hard or soft cover that fits over your truck bed to protect cargo from weather, theft, and UV damage. Unlike truck caps, tonneau covers are flush with your pickup bed and designed to fit perfectly, transforming your truck bed into a secure, trunk-like storage space.
How much do tonneau covers cost?
Tonneau cover prices range from $160 to $4,200 depending on the type and features. Soft roll-up covers start around $250-$500, hard folding covers range from $800-$1,500, and premium retractable covers can cost $2,000-$4,200. The price varies based on materials, security features, and brand quality.
Are tonneau covers easy to install?
Yes, most tonneau covers are very easy to install and require no drilling. They typically come fully assembled with clamp-on mechanisms that attach to your truck bed rails. Installation usually takes 10-30 minutes with basic hand tools and can be done by one person following the included instructions.
What's the difference between hard and soft tonneau covers?
Hard tonneau covers are made of aluminum, fiberglass, or composite materials, offering superior security, weather resistance, and durability but cost more. Soft covers are made of vinyl or cloth, are more affordable and lightweight, but provide less security and weather protection. Hard covers are better for valuable cargo, while soft covers are ideal for basic weather protection.
Do tonneau covers improve gas mileage?
Yes, tonneau covers can improve gas mileage by up to 10% by reducing aerodynamic drag. They prevent air from flowing into your truck bed, which creates turbulence and resistance. Roll-up covers provide the best fuel economy benefits due to their lighter weight and streamlined design.
Are tonneau covers waterproof?
Most tonneau covers are water-resistant rather than completely waterproof. Premium models with quality seals minimize water intrusion significantly, but some moisture may still enter during heavy rain, especially around the tailgate area. Hard covers with overlapping designs typically offer better water resistance than soft covers.
How do I measure my truck bed for a tonneau cover?
Measure from the bulkhead (against the cab) to the inside of the tailgate. Tonneau covers are sized in feet, so a 62.7-inch measurement would be a 5'3" cover. There's typically 1-2 inches of wiggle room, so round to the nearest manufacturer size. Most covers are model-specific for the best fit.
Can I use my tailgate normally with a tonneau cover?
Yes, tonneau covers allow for normal tailgate operation when both open and closed. Quality covers are designed to accommodate tailgate movement without interference. Some electronic tailgates may require slightly higher rail mounting to eliminate interference, but functionality remains intact.
Do tonneau covers work with toolboxes?
Some tonneau covers are compatible with over-the-rail toolboxes (19-21 inches), while others are not. Toolbox edition covers are specifically designed to work with most standard toolboxes. Under-the-rail and in-bed toolboxes generally don't interfere with tonneau cover installation.
What's the best tonneau cover for security?
Hard covers offer the best security, especially one-piece hinged and retractable styles with locking mechanisms. Aluminum and fiberglass covers with integrated locks provide maximum protection for valuable tools and equipment. Soft vinyl covers can be cut and offer minimal security against theft.
How do I clean and maintain my tonneau cover?
Clean tonneau covers with mild liquid soap and water. For vinyl covers, use UV protectant products periodically to prevent fading and cracking. Avoid citrus or petroleum-based products. Lubricate hinges and moving parts with manufacturer-recommended lubricants, and inspect seals regularly for wear.
Can tonneau covers handle snow and cold weather?
Yes, quality tonneau covers can endure heavy snowfall and extreme cold. UV-protected vinyl stays flexible to -40°F, and covers are tested under all weather conditions. Remove snow loads carefully and avoid forcing mechanisms when frozen. Aluminum and fiberglass covers handle weather extremes particularly well.
What's the difference between tri-fold and quad-fold covers?
Tri-fold covers have 3 panels and when fully open, take up one-third of your truck bed space. Quad-fold covers have 4 panels, are more expensive, but provide more cargo space when opened since each panel is smaller. Quad-fold covers offer better access for larger items.
Are retractable tonneau covers worth the extra cost?
Retractable tonneau covers offer maximum convenience with quick bed access but cost significantly more ($2,000-$4,200). They're worth it for frequent users who need easy cargo access. The canister takes up bed space near the cab, and manual versions require more maintenance than folding covers.
Do I need professional installation for a tonneau cover?
Professional installation isn't necessary for most tonneau covers as they're designed for DIY installation. However, professional installation ensures proper fit, prevents damage, and may be required for warranty coverage on premium models. Complex retractable covers might benefit from professional installation.