A Brief History of Awnings

Did you know awnings have been keeping us cool for centuries? Of course back then you couldn't extend your awning from a smartphone app! Below, Ron Eberhart from Excel Awning and Shade gives us a brief history of the awning:

The Remarkable Tale of Awnings

As awning dealers, sometimes it is nice to have little known facts that you can dazzle your potential customers with.  One of my favorite examples is the history of awnings, which shows just how long we've all been using awnings to keep cool.

Awnings are remarkable building features that have changed little over the course of history. Records dating back to ancient Egypt and Syria make note of woven mats that shaded market stalls and homes. 

In the Roman Empire, large retractable fabric awnings sheltered the seating areas of amphitheatres and stadiums, including the coliseum. The Roman poet Lucretius, in 50 B.C., likened thunder to the sound that "linen-awning, stretched, o'er mighty theatres, gives forth at times, a cracking roar, when much 'tis beaten about, betwixt the poles and cross-beams." Over the next two millennia awnings appeared throughout the world, while the technology used in their construction changed little.

You know, if you were to ask most people, "How long have people been using awnings?" Most would probably say something to the effect that they have not been in existence very long. Well, that may be true if you were referring to motorized retractable awnings, but the fact is that they have been around for quite a long time!

(photo courtesy of Jeremy Love)

Moving on to the new era of awnings....

Awnings in the Late 19th Century

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. Now 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.

(photo courtesy of Jean van der Sluijs)

Despite their advantages, early operable awnings had drawbacks; when retracted, their cloth coverings often bunched up against the building facade. This left part of the fabric exposed to inclement weather, and deterioration was often accelerated by moisture pooling in the folds of fabric. If poorly designed or badly placed, the retracted fabric could obscure part of the window or door opening. Even if it was out of the way, an imperfectly folded awning presented an unkempt appearance. 

Modern materials and designs have eliminated all of these issues. Today motorization allows awnings to be extended or retracted at the push of a button, or even with a smartphone app. Sensors will automatically retract awnings during inclement weather in order to protect the fabric and structure. While the awning is still similar to its ancient counterpart, modern day advancements make them the perfect shading technology for any home or business! 

Visit Excel Awning and Shade to find out more about how awnings can transform your outdoor space!