Old vs. New
Remember the Barry Levinson film, Tin Men? Set in Baltimore in the 1950s, Danny DeVito was a door-to-door salesman who sold aluminum siding and awnings. Popular during that era, aluminum awnings had vertical or horizontal slats that could match a house or be designed to create stripes. The competition was tight, and salesmen had elaborate pitches for selling these products to post-war housewives. While you’ll have to see the film to find out if there’s more to it than that, let’s say that awnings have come a long way since that era. What’s the appeal? They provide a ceiling or shade, like any outdoor roof. The difference is that they are retractable and that retractability has advanced through the years. Retractable awnings also help protect indoor furniture, upholstery, and artwork from fading. With the touch of a button, switch or remote control, an awning moves from partial to full protection. How? Not by magic, as the Danny DeVito-type salesmen of the 1950s might have had a few housewives believe. Internal wiring and a tubular motor framing make that awning retract or extend, depending on your preference.
A Resurgence
Today’s awning’s usually have fixed frames or lateral arms—not a whole lot different than a century ago. Fixed-frame styles are made of aluminum or lightweight galvanized or zinc-coated steel pipes, and frames are attached to facades with clamps, clips, or other hardware.
Fabrics
While most are solid colors or patterns, awnings are available in various fabrics and styles to complement the architecture of your home. For those who desire their awnings to stand out, choose bright or contrasting tones to your house’s exterior. If you lean toward subtlety or don’t want the awnings to be a focal point, consider choosing colors that blend in with the colors of your house’s exterior, trim, or accents. Awning extras like contrasting trim, scallops, keyhole valences, and tassels can brighten up an otherwise drab exterior. Historic awning coverings can be replicated using dyed acrylics and acrylic-coated polyester-cotton blended fabrics. Resembling traditional canvas, these newer materials provide more strength and durability. Since they are woven (rather than colors and stripes painted on the surface), these fabrics are strong and let light to filter through while blocking heat. They also dry quickly, reduce mildew, and contain a UV inhibitor.
Styles and Types
Not every awning is made alike, and each application is different. Maybe you want to shade a deck that gets intense sun at the end of the day, just as you’re winding down and firing up the grill. Or, you might want awnings over windows or doors that generate extreme heat in the morning hours, requiring the air conditioner to operate nearly all day. Types include:
Patio or deck cover shade cloths or sailsRetractable freestanding awningsRetractable sidearm/drop-arm awningsRetractable canopy awningsRetractable vertical drop awningsRetractable patio cover systemsWindow awningsDeck awningsMotorized retractable awnings
Extras
Like anything, there are your basic awnings, and then the models with all the bells and whistles. You can get awnings that can resist rain, winds, a certain amount of snow, and even hurricanes. Retractable styles can be operated manually with a chord or motorized, with a radio, non-radio, or torque-sensing motor. Other options include MP3 speakers, heaters, sensors, and timing controls. Of course, if awnings don’t interest you, you can always add gazebos, pergola, or an arbor.
