Awnings or overhangs are secondary coverings attached to the exterior wall of houses or commercial buildings. These are typically canvas made of cotton, polyester, or vinyl fabric stretched over a structure of aluminum or iron frame. Awnings are built above a window, door, or along a sidewalk. Awnings built with columns become a canopy, and are extended to provide additional space.

According to historians, awnings were used by ancient Egyptian and Syrian civilizations in their theaters. It became common during the first half of the 19th century in North America. Photographs from the mid-19th century show bare framework, suggesting that the covering was extended only when the people need them. Awnings also had its popularity in 1933 when a man in New York survived after his seven-story fall was slowed by several window awnings.

Awnings come in two types: manually-operated and motorized models. Manually-operated models are opened by hand and are more adaptable to almost any deck or patio. Motorized awnings, on the other hand, are operated by an electric motor and a wireless remote control or a wall-mounted switch.

A modern awning Chicago is rated for wind tolerance based on structure and material. The design incorporates state-of-the-art compression joints, steel support structures, and wind sensors. Aluminum and retractable awnings are very popular with homeowners throughout the world. These come in varieties of colors, materials, and designs. Due to technologically-advanced manufacturing procedures, these can last more than forty years.

In terms of aesthetic benefits, awnings Chicago serve as an outdoor expansion of your residential or business space. These can serve as an outdoor room with different awning styles, colors, and designs. These expand seating capacity and raise property values positively affect the interior of your home. Retractable awnings let people sunbathe, eat in the shade, and enjoy a sun-warmed autumn deck, and can be strategically used to cover unsightly patches on the home's exterior.

Also, awnings are environment-friendly because they reduce electricity use, comply with government guidelines about energy-saving, and are made with sustainable materials. When installed over aurora windows, they cut glare by 94% and exterior heat by 77%. These also control sunlight, thus decreasing heat and cutting UV rays. These can bring down interior temperature by 8 to 15 degrees and reduce air conditioning costs by as much as 25%.