Appropriate Awnings For Historic Buildings

It provides suggestions on how historic awnings can best be maintained repaired and preserved and recommends the varying circumstances in which replacement or new awning design may be appropriate for historic buildings.

Appropriate awnings for historic buildings.

Consider installing renewable energy sources. If awnings already exist on a historic building they should be evaluated to determine whether they are appropriate to the age style and scale of the building using the criteria identified below. When you buy a new awning for your historic building choose one with a traditional style that is appropriate for your building. Shed style awnings are the most appropriate for rectangular openings and arched awnings are the most appropriate for arched openings.

If you need another reason to convince you to reuse a historic building rather than building new. Additionally window awnings if historically appropriate serve a similar function. Industrial awnings and shade structures are excellent and cost effective tools to increase weather protected usable square footage for working areas inventory storage loading docks employee break areas and more. Avoid applying a bubble concave or convex awning to your building unless you have evidence that your building originally had this style of awning.

Please keep this in mind when considering awnings for your historic home. Flat metal awnings are appropriate on mid 20 th century storefronts. Canvas awnings are entirely appropriate for bungalows and they can significantly reduce interior heat gain. These vintage photos of minneapolis bungalows taken in the 1920s or 30s show folded and extended awnings.

This preservation brief provides historical background information about diverse awning applications in the united states. Marufish flickr cc by sa 2 0 5. Backlit awnings and dome awnings are usually inappropriate for 19th century and other historic buildings while aluminum awnings may be perfectly compatible with buildings from the 1950 or 60s. Traditional awning styles are still available and can add a splash of summer color to your home.