Awning

From Swikipedia

Introduction

A secondary covering attached to the exterior wall of a building is referred to as an awning. It is usually 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). An awning can be placed over a window, 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.

Brief Description

Benefits:

Awnings prove to be beneficial in a number of ways. The greatest benefit of using an awning is the high amounts of savings in energy consumption. According to ASHRAE, exterior fabric window awnings can reduce interior heat in homes and businesses during periods of direct sunlight by 77 percent. Airconditioning costs are reduced by as much as 25%, as the fabric used in the awning does not trap heat and moisture.

The benefits of awnings can be summarized as below:

 UV protection

 Weather protection

 Energy Efficient

 Easy Care/Limited Maintenance

Uses:

 Awnings for windows and doors

 Privacy valences and shades for screened room or porch

 Patio covers

 Canopy covers/structures for outdoor family activity area

 Canopy protection for outdoor furniture and carpeting.

 Canopy covers for wooden decks from weather damage and fading due to excess exposure to UV rays.