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.
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