Awning Terms
Awning Fabric
Acrylic Fabric: Marine and awning grade solution dyed woven fabric which is water resistant rather than water proof. Offered in a wide variety of colors and stripes this fabric is the more traditional canvas look and fabric feel.
Vinyl Fabric: Marine and awning grade vinyl coated polyester fabric is a sheet fabric so it is more water repellent than the acrylic woven alternatives. The vinyl fabrics have a slicker finish and therefore are recommended for applications where dirt and dust may be more prominent and where trees may drop leaves or roof runoff may be an issue.
Awning System
Stationary Awning/Canopy: Awning frame is a fixed frame fabricated using steel or aluminum tubing and a cover that spans and attaches to the framework. This frame and cover is stationary providing nonstop protection from rain and sun.
Retractable Awning: Awning fabric is on moveable arms and fabric can roll-up into a cassette or rolled out up to 10′ projection. When extended retractable awnings are cantilevered out with out support so they must be rolled up in any inclement weather including but not limited to rain, wind and snow. They should also be rolled up when not in use/supervised.
Lace-On System: Awning frame is constructed using structural steel tubing and the cover is laced onto the frame. This system is the most recommended as it is the most traditional look and by far the most cost effective especially in the long term. Because the fabric is laced onto the frame, when it is time for a recover, the frame can stay in place on the building, the old cover easily removed and the new cover laced on. Oftentimes a recover can be accomplished in one installation trip.
Staple-On System: Awning frame is constructed of a light aluminum square tubing and the cover is stapled into the frame. This system is good for national commercial chains and a few other applications but is more expensive when it’s time for a recover than the Lace-On System. Because the fabric is stapled into the framework, the entire awning must be removed from the building, brought into the shop, stripped of fabric and staples, recovered and re-installed, requiring two trips to the job site.
Awning Terms
Dimensions: Awning Width (the width of the awning across the building/house) x Awning Projection (how far the awning sticks out from the building/house) x Awning Pitch (difference in height between the head rod at the top of the awning and the front rod).
Valance: 8″-12″ skirt around the bottom of an awning. Often with arch, scallop or Greek Key cut-outs.