A Brief History of Awnings

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Humans have been finding ways to shade themselves from the sun for millennia. Since we stepped out into the bright sunlight, we have been looking for ways to control its effect on us. Whether we were hiding in caves or sheltering under trees, we have come a very long way in the past few thousand years. Here at Appeal Home Shading, shade is our business. We pride ourselves on knowing all there is to know about the history of shading. Our popular Haus Awnings are the latest in outdoor, home shading technology, but where did it all begin?

Ancient Awnings

Haus MF2600 LED Grey Patio Awning

History tells us that the ancient Egyptians and Syrians were the first to be recorded using awnings, which makes sense considering their hot climates. Described as “woven mats” that would shade market stalls and people’s homes, these early awnings protected people from the harsh suns of North Africa and Western Asia.

The Ancient Romans took the Awning to a new level with the velarium as they did with many things. Designed for huge amphitheatres such as the famous Colosseum, the structure was massive and hugely complex even by today’s standards. Constructed from linen, timber, iron and rope, the Awning could comfortably shade around a third of the audience members. Another third would be shaded by the high walls, leaving most seats in cool shade from the Roman sunlight.

The early modern Awning

It wouldn’t be until the early 19th century that awnings would become a common sight worldwide. Timber and iron posts generally provided the support structure and thick canvas used for sails and tents would provide the shade. Unfortunately, these awnings were incredibly vulnerable to water damage due to the support coming from the opposite side of the structure from which they extended. If rain was to fall suddenly, there was nowhere for the rain to run off. It would collect in the centre until either it started leaking through or the entire Awning collapsed! They were not easily removed or retracted either. They were generally fitted to the timber posts with nails, making it difficult to pull them in at short notice.

Over the next hundred years, awning technology developed to the point of easier retractability. Previously, it had been a requirement to roll them up by hand from the point of connection to the building. Awnings were now on hinges that allowed them to be retracted and extended by a series of pulleys.

Moving into the 20th century, shopkeepers now had easy access to shade outside of their stores. The hinge and pulley system was normalised across the board. The materials to have one installed were incredibly affordable to anyone looking to invest. Vinyl eventually replaced earlier fabrics as a more durable option. Less likely to suffer from wear and tear or develop mould from moisture, vinyl became the standard across the board for all awnings heading into the second half of the 20th century. Materials such as polyester and acrylic also began to appear across awnings as tougher and more durable options.

The Contemporary Awning

Grey Haus Patio Awning MF2600

The 21st century has seen a technological boom across almost every industry, and the Awning is no different. Now in widespread use across commercial, industrial and residential properties, awnings have remained since those ancient times, one of the most reliable and practical shading solutions. 

Our Haus Awnings are at the forefront of modern home shading technology. Made to measure and bespoke to your home, our Awnings extend away from the building and create a luxurious outdoor social space, fit for gatherings and parties alike.

The Haus Awnings are fitted with the latest weather sensors. Once the sun comes out, the Awning automatically extends to provide adequate shade. If the sun goes in and the wind picks up, the Haus Awning is fully aware and retracts itself to protect from damage. The Haus Awning also features innovative dimmable LED lighting and radio-controlled infrared heating to ensure that you have an atmospheric space that is perfect for any time of the day or night.

Furthermore, our Haus Awnings are fitted with a discreet and high-performance motor. When configured with ULTRA® Smart technology, you can manually control your Awning from anywhere in your home. With ULTRA® PLUS, you can connect your Haus Awning to your smartphone tablet and control our Awning from wherever you are. Google Nest or Amazon Alexa are also compatible so that you can extend or retract with your voice alone.

Our Haus Awnings are made to measure with over 200 frame colours and 150 fabric patterns for you to choose from. Please request a free design consultation with one of our team members today! They can provide you with an informed and impartial opinion on the kind of Awning that would be perfect for your home.

Feel free to contact us on our 24/7 phone line or request your free brochure from us today!