Patio Awnings

For outdoor enjoyment at home, there are few things better than a patio. Originally designed as an enclosed open air court within a home, the modern patio has evolved to become a paved section in the back yard area of a home. While this feature can be enjoyed in pleasant weather, direct sunlight or rainy days can lessen the usefulness of this extra "room" in your dwelling.

Adding an overhanging awning to your patio can have many pleasant effects. In bright daylight a patio awning will provide a cooling shade to enjoy the day in. During rainy weather it will protect you and your patio furniture from the water and allow greater usage.
Because an awning does not have vertical pole supports to brace the frame from the ground, most patio awning materials are of a strong but light weight construction.

There are several styles of patio awnings you can obtain to cover your outdoor living room. A permanent covering can be attached to the framework of your patio awning if you desire. Several types of retractable awnings are available to give one the choice of shade or sunshine while the patio is in use. Whether you install a hand cranked patio awning or one that is motorized, the awning can be either folded back against the side of the house or rolled up in a protective tube covering which will more effectively protect the material from pooled water or high winds.

While the most common material used to create a patio awning is canvas, there are several types of plastic fiber cover

ings that can be obtained that provide either total opacity or a translucent material which will allow a diffuse light through to soften the sunlight. While there are some patio awnings made of aluminum, they are not as versatile and are usually built onto the home as a permanent fixture.