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Awnings are coverings attached to the outside of walls or buildings. They are made of various materials such as canvas, vinyl, polyester, aluminum, steel, or even wood. Typically, an awning consists of a metal frame covered by canvas, but larger metal versions are also used. Awnings can be found mounted above windows, doors or sidewalks. more »
Keeping your canvas awning clean and looking new doesn't have to be a task to be dreaded. You probably already have most of the items that you need around your home or in your garage. A neglected awning can become an eyesore, detracting from your home's overall appeal. Most canvas awnings will need to be thoroughly cleaned once or... more »
Use a sturdy ladder when cleaning your canvas awning. It's best to do a job like this with two people. One person should be on hand to hold the ladder and pass items up and down to the person doing the actual cleaning.
Start by removing any debris from the awning, using a broom. more »
Home owners these days are using their outdoor areas to relax, eat and entertain--not just store the grill. Here are three steps to help you design a backyard living space that will act as an extension of your home. more »
Winter is long gone and it's time to think about cleaning and sprucing up your outdoor living areas. Using a few common household cleaners and your trusty hose and bucket, you'll soon have it made in the shade. more »
Awnings add architectural beauty while providing shade from harsh light. There are many...
If you chose a nice awning to help your home to stand out, you might find that two years later it is looking really shabby. A regular cleaning can... more »
Adding an awning to the patio will not only beautify, it will extend your enjoyment of the outdoors and may even lower the cooling bill for your... more »
SunSetter awnings are compatible with a variety of accessories that can increase their durability and usefulness, such as screens, weather covers,... more »
Retractable awnings provide shade and shelter for your deck or patio as needed. Much more affordable than building a permanent cover or enclosure,... more »
Copper is unique as a metal. It has an unusual color that ranges from pink to bright orange, is conductive and is used in electrical wiring.... more »
An awning or overhang is a secondary covering attached to the exterior wall of a building. It is typically composed of canvas woven of acrylic, cotton or polyester yarn, or vinyl laminated to polyester fabric that is stretched tightly over a light structure of aluminum, iron or steel, possibly wood or transparent material (used to cover solar thermal panels in the summer, but that must allow as much light as possible in the winter). The configuration of this structure is something of a truss, space frame or planar frame. Awnings are also often constructed of aluminum understucture with aluminum sheeting. These aluminum awnings are often used when a fabric awning is not a practical application where snow load as well as wind loads may be a factor.
The location of an awning on a building may be above a window, a door, or above the area along a sidewalk. With the addition of columns an awning becomes a canopy, which is able to extend further from a building, 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, an awning is often painted with information as to the name, business, and address, thus acting as a sign or billboard as well as providing shade, breaking steep winds, and protecting from rain or snow. In areas with wintry weather, most awnings do not have to be taken down at the end of the summer - they can remain retracted against the building all winter long, or be designed and built for those conditions.
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".
North America
Awnings became common during the first read more at » http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Awning
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