Patio, deck, door and window awnings

Awnings involve many designs, styles and features. The height of its "drop" is important, as eventually its sides, shape, motorization...

Traditional window awning

Drop

The drop is, technically, the distance between the top of the awning (or the top of the window...) and the line correspondent to its lower extremity. Higher drops respond better to the lower sun (namely in west and east sides of the building, where sun is low during the morning and late afternoon).

Professionals advise drops of 60% or more in east and west windows, and drops between 50 and 60% in the sunnier side of the building.

Traditional awnings

Traditional awnings involve a down-slanting front panel and eventually two side panels or ends. They are used either over small areas (windows, entryways…) and large areas (porches, patios and decks...).

Venetian Awning

Sideless awnings

Venetian awnings (sideless awnings) are adjustable to the angle of the sun, but since they don't involve sides, they may be less effective at blocking sunlight. Consider awning with sides, namely in the sunnier side of home.

Patio and deck awnings

Patio and deck awnings are typically retractable awnings, with lateral and retractable arms, which can be automatically or manually extended and retracted as necessary. They are very flexible and efficient structures.

Retractable awnings

Retractable awnings are now easy to operate and provide higher flexibility. Since they may respond to existing weather conditions, they are more energy-efficient and advantageous than fixed awnings. Whenever practical, choose retractable awnings.

Motorized retractable awnings vs. fixed awnings

Awning motorization is an option to consider. Various studies confirm that motorized awnings are more intensively used than manual units.

Awning motorization may involve controls that can be driven by sun, wind and rain sensors. But more common motorization is based on buttons and switches.

Canopy awnings

A canopy comprises a lightweight frame structure over which a cover is attached: unlike traditional awnings, canopies are supported by the building to which it is attached and by one or more stanchions at the outer end. Canopy awnings are more fragile than other commoner awning structures, but in some cases they are an option to consider.

Concave and dome awnings

Dome Door awning These awnings are mainly used over windows and doors. They can involve a completely shaded enclosure, but sometimes their sides are left open (in this case the front panel has to be supported by poles).

Dome awnings are typically found over small entryways and windows. The dome quarter-sphere shape provides excellent sun protection from all angles. The elongated dome awnings are mainly used over long windows or entryways.