Awnings as window and door coverings have been in existence for hundreds of years. Before modern materials were developed, awning fabrics were made of treated cotton. Treated cotton was subject to mildew, rot and fading but still held up well. Early in the 20th-century, stationary awning frames were made of threaded water pipe and loosely covered with exterior grade fabrics. Historically, retractable storefront awnings utilized gears and water pipe arms. Awning design and shapes were limited almost entirely to straight lines. If anything but straight shapes was desired, architects were required to contract with a steel fabrication company. Back then, the number of awning fabric colors and patterns were limited based on relatively low sales demand.
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