Awning Terms - Awning Glossary

This glossary provides a comprehensive understanding of awning-related terms, ensuring clear communication and informed decision-making for your projects with Austin Canvas & Awning.

Awning

A structure attached to a building that provides weather protection, identity, or decoration. It consists of a lightweight, rigid frame covered by a material like fabric.

Standard Awning Designs

• Straight Slope 

• Open-End 

• Half Barrel 

• A Frame 

• Concave 

• Dome 

• Elongated Dome 

• Lateral Arm/Retractable 

• Quarter Round/Convex 

• Rounded Entrance Canopy 

• Traditional 
  

Awning Terminology

Width

The measurement is across the front of the awning.

Drop

The vertical distance from the top of the awning to the bottom edge.

Projection

How far the awning extends from the building.

Slope

The angle or pitch of the awning from the building to the front edge.

Standard Binding Valance

The decorative trim piece that follows the shape of the bottom of the valance.

PVC Trim

A type of trim made from durable PVC material, used for finishing edges.

4-Bar

A term used for a stripe in awning fabric, typically describing the width of the stripe.

Abrasion Resistance

The ability of a material to withstand wear from friction or rubbing.

Aluminum Pipe

Lightweight, strong pipe used in awning frames, similar in dimension to steel but one-third the weight.

Aluminum Tubing

Versatile and lightweight tubing available in various shapes and sizes, used for awning frames.

Anchorage

The method and strength of connecting an awning to a building or foundation.

Appliqué

Decorative designs made from fabric pieces that are sewn onto a larger piece of fabric.

Backlit Awning

An awning with a lighting system behind the fabric, making the awning glow.

Bolt-Through

A mounting method where a bolt goes through a wall or structure and is secured with a nut.

Canvas

Heavy-duty fabric, often made from cotton or synthetic materials, used for awnings.

Coated Fabric

Fabric treated with a polymer coating to add properties like water resistance.

Count

Refers to yarn size or the number of threads per inch in a fabric weave.

Cut-Out Lettering

Letters or designs are cut from one material and replaced with another material from behind.

Delamination

Separation of layers in a laminated material.

Die Casting

Process of forming parts by forcing molten metal into molds.

Di-Electric Welding

The welding process uses electromagnetic energy to heat and join thermoplastic materials.

Eradication

Removing color from a pre-coated vinyl fabric using chemicals.

Expansion Anchors

Anchors used to secure awnings to concrete, expanding to hold firmly in place.

Extrusion Coated

Coating applied to fabric using heated polymers and rollers.

Fiber

Basic unit of textile materials, such as cotton or wool.

Fire Proofed

Material treated to be completely resistant to fire.

Fire Retardant Finish

A finish that slows down or prevents the spread of flame.

Fluoropolymer

Synthetic fiber resistant to UV light and weathering.

Fabric Attachments:

• Awning Molding: Track system accepting the rope-filled hem of an awning cover. 

• Lacing: Traditional technique of attaching a fabric cover to an awning frame using grommets and thin rope. 

• Screws: Fastening fabric to a frame using self-tapping hexagonal screws. 

• Staples: Attaching fabric to a frame system using staples. 

• Staple-in-Extrusions: Stapling fabric into a slot built into framing, covered with vinyl trim. 

• Lag Screws: Screws tapered to a point, used for fastening to wood framing without nuts. 

Hand

The feel of a fabric when touched.

Hand Painting

Applying designs to fabric using paint.

Hydrostat Pressure

Ability of a fabric to resist water pressure.

Illuminated Awning

Awning lit from behind the fabric, making it glow.

Lag Screws

Screws with a pointed end, used to fasten wood framing.

Lateral Arm Awning

Retractable awnings with arms that extend and retract the awning.

Load: The force exerted on a structural member, such as:

• Dead Load: Self-weight of the awning or canopy frame, fabric, and hardware. 

• Wind Load: Function of wind speed exerted on a structure. 

• Snow Load: Load imposed by snowfall. 

• Live Load: Changing loads exerted on a roof. 

Mesh

Open-textured fabric.

Mildew Resistant

Treated to resist mold and mildew growth.

Modulus

Measure of a fabric’s ability to stretch and return to its original shape.

Monofilament

A single strand of synthetic fiber.

Natural Fiber

Organic fibers like cotton or jute.

Non-Woven

Fabric made from bonded fibers, not woven.

Nylon

Strong, resilient synthetic fiber.

Polyester

Synthetic fiber known for strength and UV resistance.

Polymer

Base material for synthetic fibers.

Ponding

Preventing water from collecting on an awning by ensuring proper slope.

Pressure-Sensitive Graphics

Vinyl designs applied to fabric using pressure.

Pre-Stress

Tension in the fabric when it is pulled tight on the frame.

RF Welding

Radio Frequency welding for joining thermoplastic materials.

Seam

The line where two pieces of fabric are joined.

Shear

Force causing parts to slide in opposite directions.

Stainless Steel

Corrosion-resistant steel alloy.

Steel Pipe

Thick, strong pipe used in awning frames.

Steel Tubing

Tubing available in various shapes and sizes, similar to steel pipe but with different properties.

Substrate

The surface to which an awning frame is attached.

Top Coating

The final coating applied to a fabric.

Tow

Large bundle of continuous filaments.

Ultimate Strength

Maximum load a material can bear.

UV Resistance

Ability of a fabric to resist damage from ultraviolet light.

Valance

Decorative fabric piece hanging from the front edge of an awning.

Waterproof

Fabric treated to prevent water penetration.

Water Repellent Finish

Finish that makes fabric resistant to water.

Webbing

Strong fabric used for reinforcement.

Wickability

Ability of a fiber to draw moisture along its surface.

Working Load

Safe load limit for materials under normal conditions.