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Shades of Nostalgia
Jerry Thompson's 1938 Cape Cod in Vienna has sported a variety of stationary awnings over the years.
(By Ann Cameron Siegal For The Washington Post)
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The awning industry's main focus today seems to be on retractable awnings for patios and decks. When the awning is closed via a roller mechanism, only the valance shows. There are no folds where water can accumulate. The turnaround time from order to installation is quicker, and because they are often made by machine to standard sizes, the cost per square foot is lower -- though very low prices can signal poorer mechanical reliability.
Years ago, patio awnings were a hand-cranked gamble demanding constant attention. If a storm came up while you were away, you might have returned to find your awning in tatters.
The wind's uplifting action would put tremendous force on the awning and at the point of attachment. "The builder [of a house] had no idea you were going to attach fabric 12 feet out," Thomas said.
Technology has stepped up to minimize weather problems. You no longer have be on hand or run outside to tend your awning. Remote-control devices or switches let you open and close them from inside the house.
Wind and rain sensors are also available to automatically tend the awning when you are not home. Wind sensors, sometimes mounted on the front bar, retract the awning when winds reach 21 to 30 miles an hour. They sense the bounce on the front flap, then signal the motor to pull the awning in.
And, if you want to return to a cool patio after a hard day, a sun sensor can unfurl the canopy automatically.
Jerry Thompson, whose 1938 Cape Cod in Vienna has sported a variety of stationary awnings during the past four decades, doesn't like to rely on such electronics, which he refers to as "toys." "They're just like anything mechanical," he said. "They can break."
The general rule, according to the Professional Awning Manufacturers Association, is, "If you are comfortable sitting outdoors dining or reading the paper, then it is probably safe to operate your awning."
Maintenance
"Frames are for a lifetime; it's the fabric that needs replacing," Thomas said. Dirt can shorten the life of an awning's fabric.
Acrylic fabrics usually require just hosing down occasionally to get rid of bird droppings or debris. A soft-bristle brush and mild soap will clean off stubborn dirt. Thompson, who leaves his awnings up year-round, cleans them about every other year.
Most companies will guarantee fabrics for five years, but Thomas said you can usually count on getting seven to 12 years of life out of them.
You also need to consider drainage, especially on larger awnings. If the fabric isn't taut, puddles may accumulate on top, resulting in sagging.
