Awning
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
An awning is a secondary covering attached to the exterior wall of a building. It is typically composed of canvas or acrylic cloth that is stretched tightly over a light structure of aluminum, iron or steel, and possibly wood. The configuration of this structure is something of a truss, space frame or planar frame. The location of an awning on a building is either above a window, a door, or above the area along a sidewalk. With the addition of columns an awning is able to extend enough from a building to line an entryway, as in the case of an entrance to a hotel. Restaurants often use awnings broad enough to cover substantial outdoor area for outdoor dining, parties, or reception. In commercial buildings such as these, an awning is often painted with information as to the name, business, and address, thus acting as a sign or billboard in addition to providing shade from the sun, break from steep winds and dryness from rain or snow.
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[edit] History
Awnings were first used by the ancient Egyptian and Syrian civilizations. They are described as "woven mats" that shaded market stalls and homes. A Roman poet Lucretius, in 50 BC, said "Linen-awning, stretched, over mighty theatres, gives forth at times, a cracking roar, when much 'tis beaten about, betwixt the poles and cross-beams".
[edit] In America
They became common during the first half of the 19th Century. At that time they consisted of timber or cast iron posts set along the sidewalk edge and linked by a front cross bar.To lend support to larger installations, angled rafters linked the front cross bar to the building facade. The upper end of the canvas was connected to the facade with nails, with grommets and hooks, or by lacing the canvas to a head rod bolted to the facade. The other (projecting) end of the canvas was draped over, or laced to, a front bar with the edge often hanging down to form a valance. On ornate examples, metal posts were adorned with filigree and the tops decorated with spear ends, balls or other embellishments. On overcast days or when rain did not threaten, the covering was often rolled up against the building facade; during the winter months proper maintenance called for the removal and storage of awnings. Photographs from the mid-1800s often show the bare framework, suggesting that the covering was extended only when necessary. Canvas duck was the predominant awning fabric. A strong, closely woven cotton cloth used for centuries to make tents and sails, canvas is a versatile material with a relatively short lifespan compensated for by its low cost.
Awnings became a common feature in the years after the Civil War. Iron plumbing pipe, which was quickly adapted for awning frames, became widely available and affordable as a result of mid-century industrialization. It was a natural material for awning frames, easily bent and threaded together to make a range of different shapes and sizes. At the same time the advent of the steamship forced canvas mills and sail makers to search for new markets. An awning industry developed offering an array of frame and fabric options adaptable to both storefronts and windows.
[edit] Operable Awnings
In the second half of the 19th century, manufactured operable awnings grew in popularity. Previously, most awnings had fixed frames-the primary way to retract the covering was to roll it up the rafters by hand. Operable systems for both storefront and window awnings had extension arms that were hinged where they joined the facade. The arms were lowered to project the awning or raised to retract the awning using simple rope and pulley arrangements. Because the canvas remained attached to the framework, retractable awnings allowed a more flexible approach to shading-shopkeepers and owners could incrementally adjust the amount of awning coverage depending upon the weather conditions. When the sun came out from behind clouds, the awning could be deployed with ease. In case of sudden storms, owners could quickly retract the awning against the building wall where it was protected from wind gusts.
But the early operable awnings had their own drawbacks. When retracted, the coverings on early operable awnings bunched up against the building facade where it was still partially exposed to inclement weather. (In fact, deterioration was often accelerated as moisture pooled in the fabric folds.) Also, the retracted fabric often obscured a portion of the window or door opening and unless it was folded carefully, presented an unkempt appearance.
Buying the right awning
Some awnings have aluminium or other materials instead of fabric. These are more durable than fabric and do not deterioate in rain or tear under the weight of snow.
Although light colored awnings may give a light, airy feel to the area, they let more sunlight through than darker shades. They are therefore they are less economical.
Retractable Awnings
Retractable Awnings are now becoming very popular with property owners. Retractable Awnings can include the following types:
Lateral Arm Type
Can shade a patio on a hot day and be retracted manually or with a motor to allow the sun to shine when desired. Screens to keep bugs out are now sometimes fitted.
Side Arm Type
Commonly used to shade windows
Tension Shade
Used to shade sunrooms.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Awnings National directory of custom awning and canopy manufacturers.
