Canvas Awnings
The most common and versatile material used to create awnings is canvas. Being both pliable and easily decorated, canvas is heavy enough to withstand rain water as well as high winds without leaking or tearing. It is light weight enough that it will not cause the framework of an awning to break since awnings do not use vertical pole support from the ground. While the terms are often used interchangeably, an awning that has vertical support poles is referred to as a canopy.
Canvas is most often used in retractable awnings. Whether the mechanism used folds the cloth up onto itself or rolls the canvas awning into a protective tube covering, its flexability will prevent it from tearing or breaking. Whether hand cranked or motorized, it does not take a great deal of power to perform the retraction of an awning.
Canvas awnings are very popular for covering the patios of homes and make awnings more affordable for general use. Canvas awnings have a long history of being utilized by businesses to put over the fronts of their stores. Not only will a canvas awning protect any street displayed merchandise from the elements, its ability to be painted makes it a very useful advertising tool as well. Many restaurants use sidewalk canvas awnings to provide a summertime outdoor eating area for their customers.
A retractable canvas awning can be quickly deployed for use when needed and as quickly taken in if the conditions are preferable to have full sunlight. With the
ability to create canvas in just about any color or print it in designs, it is a very good material for decoration as well as functionality. Retractable canvas awnings are such a popular and useful feature that it is often included in this modern age on recreational vehicles as well.
