The Unique Art of Old Fashioned Awnings

Old fashioned awnings have provided climate control in an age before air conditioning and tinted glass was available. By blocking out the sun's rays while admitting daylight and allowing air to circulate between interior and exterior, they were remarkably efficient and cost effective. Awnings permit window-shopping on rainy days and prevents window displays from fading due to sunlight.

Awnings also play a major role in a building’s appearance. Manufacturers came up with attractive, attention getting awnings featuring distinctive stripes, ornate valances, and painted lettering and logos. With a wide range of color and pattern choices, owners could select an awning that complemented the building with style and function for an affordable price.
 
When awnings began to appear on American storefronts during the first half of the 19th century they were simple and old fashioned. The basic hardware consisted of timber or cast iron posts set along the sidewalk edge and linked by a front cross bar. To lend support to larger installations, angled rafters linked the front cross bar to the building facade. The end of the canvas was draped over, or laced to, a front bar with the edge often hanging down to form a valance. A strong, closely woven cotton cloth used for centuries to make tents and sails, canvas is a versatile material with a relatively short lifespan compensated for by its low cost.

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 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-shopkeepers and owners depending upon the weather conditions.

In case of sudden storms, owners could quickly retract the awning against the building wall where it was protected from wind gusts. But, the early operable awnings had their own drawbacks. When retracted, the coverings on these awnings bunched up against the building facade where it was still partially exposed to inclement weather. Also, the retracted fabric often obscured a portion of the window or door opening and unless it was folded carefully, presented an unkempt appearance.

Roller awnings featured a wood or metal cylinder around which the canvas was stored when the awning was retracted. When fully retracted, only the valance was visible. The roller was usually bolted to a backboard set against the building and protected beneath a wood or metal hood. In some cases it was installed in a recessed box built into the facade. A long detachable handle called a gearbox and crankshaft was used to turn the roller. Some later models were operated by electric motor. Rollers, especially those on window awnings, often contained a spring that helped retract the awning and kept the canvas from sagging excessively. Most 19th century roller awnings had fixed arms that were similar to those found on the earlier operable awnings.
 
A large variety of available canvas colors, patterns, and valance shapes also appeared on old fashioned awnings. Some coverings were dyed a solid color; shades of slate, tan, and green were especially popular. Others had painted stripes on the upper surface of the canvas. Awning companies developed a colorful array of awning stripes that enhanced the decorative schemes of buildings, and in some cases, served as a building's primary decorative feature.