Depending on which direction your awning faces, awnings to shade your windows can reduce interior temperatures during warm weather between 8 and 15 degrees. This can reduce your costs for air-conditioning. Awnings can reduce solar heat gain by 65% on south-facing windows and 77% on west-facing windows.

Canvas awnings can be made in huge array of colors and styles. Popular styles include: traditional open sides, traditional with closed sides, double bar standard, dome style, quarter barrel, waterfall, semi-circular entrance and gable walkway. Most canvas awnings are now made of special acrylic canvas guaranteed against fading for five years. Most canvas awnings last seven to 10 years, then the fabric needs to be replaced. Replacement is about half the price of a new awning.

Frames made of steel or aluminum, anodized and sometimes powder-coated, last virtually forever. Awnings can be stationary, freestanding, or retractable. Traditional awnings can have sides or be open, and pitch can be adjusted. A standard projection would be approximately half the height of your window. For example, a window that is 48 inches high would have an awning that has a 24-inch projection.

Awning hardware must be mounted on either window frame or exterior wall to keep the awning level. If there is not enough room above window, patio, door, etc. awnings can be mounted on roof brackets.

-- Tips courtesy of HomeAdvisor.com