Awnings are coverings made from acrylic, canvas, vinyl, or metal slats, which are stretched over a frame to provide protection from ultraviolet rays, wind, rain or snow. The frame is usually fixed to exterior walls of buildings. Modern day frames are usually made from galvanized iron, steel or aluminum. Outdoors awnings can be found at the entrance of restaurants and shops, where they may be used as a way to advertise their enterprise.

Retractable outdoor awnings are definitely less expensive than construction of a permanent patio or deck cover. Besides they usually don?t need a permit from local authority if erected in an unobtrusive way and can be retracted or removed for storage over the winter months. Many homeowners also select outdoor retractable awnings as a patio cover to avoid obstructing views and traffic flow with the support beams that are typically used with permanent covers. It is advisable to remove fabric-roofed awnings during severe weather, as the fabric can be damaged from high winds or hail. For this reason, retractable awnings cannot be considered as a guarantee to completely protect outdoor furniture, but they certainly help to minimize the fading of furniture covers and carpet due to sunrays. However, retractable awnings facilitate extended use of outdoor space by providing shade from the harmful effects of sun and also by protecting the space from unexpected spring and summer showers.

Outdoor retractable awnings usually have simple adjustments to extend or retract the roof and change the pitch. The operating mechanism can be manual or motorized. The addition of a retractable awning creates extra space at negligible extra cost. The fabric roofs come in virtually hundreds of styles of colors, stripes and patterns, which add beauty and charm to the exterior of the buildings.

If sufficient outdoor space is available, permanent stand-alone type awnings with heavy duty columns, frames and metal slats can be considered, as they will prove to be most economical in the long run.