Awning Glossary: Parts, Fabrics and Terms

Plain-English definitions of the terms you will meet in awning quotes, spec sheets and installation manuals, from arm and elbow to valance and wind class. Each entry links to the guide that covers it in depth.

A

Acrylic fabric: A woven fabric made from acrylic fibers and the most common choice for residential retractable awnings. Quality awning acrylics are solution-dyed, breathable, and treated with a water-repellent finish, so they dry quickly and resist mildew but are water-resistant rather than waterproof. Expect roughly 8 to 15 years of service from a solution-dyed acrylic. See the acrylic, polyester and vinyl comparison.
Aluminum awning: A fixed awning built from formed aluminum panels or louvers with a painted or powder-coated finish, common over windows, doors and patios. It does not rot, fade like fabric, or need seasonal removal, and it handles snow better than a retractable. The trade-offs are rain noise, a utilitarian look, and no option to let winter sun through. See aluminum awnings.
Awning: A lightweight covering of fabric, metal or plastic over a frame that projects from and is supported, wholly or partly, by the building it is attached to. That building attachment is what separates an awning from a freestanding canopy or pergola in most codes. Awnings may be fixed or retractable and are used for shade, weather protection, identity, or decoration. See types of awnings.
Awning rail: On an RV, the aluminum extrusion fastened along the coach sidewall with a round channel that receives the beaded edge of the awning fabric. The fabric slides into the rail from one end during installation. A bent or crushed rail, or sealant that has failed at its screws, is a common cause of fabric that will not feed and of sidewall leaks.

B

Backlit awning: A commercial awning, usually covered in translucent vinyl-laminated or vinyl-coated fabric, with light fixtures mounted inside the frame so graphics glow at night. It doubles as signage, which means sign ordinances, electrical permits and fire-rated fabric often apply. Lighting adds cost and maintenance compared with an unlit fabric awning. See storefront awning signage.
Beaufort scale: A 0 to 12 scale that describes wind force by observable effects. Force 4 (moderate breeze, about 13 to 18 mph) raises dust and moves small branches; force 5 (fresh breeze, about 19 to 24 mph) sways small trees. Most fabric retractables should be closed by about force 5, and awning wind classes and manuals sometimes reference Beaufort numbers. See awning wind ratings.
Blocking: Solid lumber added inside a wall or between rafters so awning brackets have something structural to bolt into where studs, rim joists or rafters do not line up with the bracket positions. On finished walls it usually means opening the siding or interior drywall. Installers add blocking rather than relying on sheathing alone, which cannot hold the leverage a lateral-arm awning applies. See mounting on brick, siding and stucco.

C

Canopy: A rigid-framed covering that is either structurally independent or attached to a building at one end and supported by at least one post at the outer end. The International Building Code treats canopies and awnings separately, so the distinction affects permits and engineering. In everyday use, "canopy" also describes freestanding shade frames and the fabric cover of a pergola. See freestanding awnings.
Cassette: An enclosed aluminum housing that fully contains the fabric, roller tube and folded arms when a retractable awning is closed, with the front bar sealing the opening. A full cassette protects fabric from rain, pollen, birds and UV while closed, which extends fabric life and keeps it cleaner. It costs more than open or semi-cassette designs. See cassette awnings.
Chemical anchor: A threaded rod set into a drilled hole in masonry or concrete with a two-part resin adhesive. Once cured, the resin bonds rod to substrate without the expansion stress of mechanical anchors, which matters in brick, block, and near edges. Many awning manufacturers specify resin anchors for masonry walls; follow the cure time before loading the bracket. See mounting on masonry.
Clearance: The vertical distance between the ground and the lowest part of an awning, usually the front bar or valance, at full extension. Many homeowners and installers aim for at least about 7 ft (2.1 m) so people can walk under it. Commercial awnings over sidewalks commonly need 7 to 8 ft, depending on the local code. See how to measure for an awning.
Coupled awning: Two or more retractable awning units joined side by side, often driven by one motor through a coupling at the roller tube, to cover a span wider than a single unit allows. Many brands cap single units around 20 ft wide. Coupled systems show a small gap or overlap in the fabric at the joint and need careful alignment of brackets. See patio awnings.
Crank handle: A removable rod with a hook or hex end that engages the gearbox eye on a manual awning, or the manual override on some motorized ones. Typical handles are several feet long so they can be used from the ground. Crank smoothly and stop at the end of travel: forcing past it strips gears or over-rolls fabric. See motorized vs manual awnings.

D

De-flapper: A clamp that grips the edge of an RV awning's fabric to the awning arm or roller tube to stop it from flapping and billowing in light wind. De-flappers reduce noise and wear on the fabric and roller, but they do not make an awning wind-safe: retract it when wind builds or when you leave the site. See RV awning accessories.
Dome awning: A fixed awning with a curved, rounded profile, usually a fabric or vinyl cover stretched over a bent metal frame. Domes are common over storefront entrances and arched windows. They shed water well because there is no flat area, but the curved frame is custom fabricated and costs more than a straight, sloped awning of similar size. See fixed awnings.
Drop arm awning: A retractable awning whose arms pivot from points on the wall below the roller, swinging down and outward like a hinged visor. It is the classic window awning: compact, adjustable in angle, and good at blocking low-angle sun. It projects less than a lateral-arm awning and is not meant for a patio you walk under. See lateral arm vs drop arm awnings.
Drop shade: A vertical exterior shade that rolls down from a housing or tube to cover an opening, porch side, or pergola edge, usually with screen fabric of a stated openness factor. Drop shades block low morning and evening sun that overhead awnings miss. Side cables or channels keep them from swinging in wind. See drop shades and solar screens.

E

Elbow: The hinge at the middle of a lateral arm where the forearm and upper arm fold together. It carries the highest stress in the system because springs inside the arm pull through it to keep fabric tensioned. Quality arms use reinforced belts, chains or cables at the elbow; a sagging, clicking, or cracked elbow is a common repair item. See awning repair.
EN 13561: The European standard for external blinds and awnings, covering performance and safety requirements. It assigns wind resistance classes 0 to 3, where a higher class means the product was tested to a higher wind load. US products may quote an EN 13561 class even though it is not a US code requirement; treat it as a comparison aid, not a permission to stay open in storms. See awning wind ratings.
Encroachment: Any part of a building, including an awning or canopy, that projects over a public sidewalk or right-of-way. The International Building Code addresses encroachments in Chapter 32, and cities add their own rules on projection, clearance, and permits. Commercial owners usually need a separate approval before an awning can overhang the sidewalk. See commercial awning codes.
End cap: A molded or cast cover at each end of the front bar, hood, or cassette that closes the profile and often houses the bearing for the roller tube. End caps are frequently plastic on budget models and cast aluminum on premium ones. Cracked or missing caps let water and insects into the housing and are cheap, simple replacements.

F

Fixed awning: An awning that stays permanently in place, with fabric, vinyl, metal, or polycarbonate on a welded or bolted frame. Fixed awnings handle rain and moderate snow better than retractables and need no operation, but they block winter sun and accumulate dirt on the cover. They suit doors, windows, and storefronts. See fixed awnings.
Freestanding awning: A shade structure supported entirely by its own posts or base rather than by a building wall, often with a retractable fabric roof. It can be placed in the middle of a yard, beside a pool, or where a wall cannot carry an awning. Posts need footings, anchors, or weighted bases sized for wind uplift. See freestanding awnings.
Front bar: The aluminum profile at the outer edge of a retractable awning, also called the lead rail or front profile. The fabric is fixed into it, the arm ends attach to it, and the valance hangs from it. On cassette models it closes the housing. A bent front bar usually indicates wind damage or ponding and can stop the awning from closing properly. See awning repair.

G

Gas strut: A sealed cylinder of pressurized gas that pushes a rod outward, used on some drop-arm, window, and folding awnings to extend arms and hold fabric tension. Struts lose force gradually and are weaker in cold weather, so an awning that no longer stays taut or open may need new struts. Replace them in matched pairs with the same force rating.
Gearbox: The reduction gear at one end of a manual retractable awning that turns the roller tube when the crank is rotated. It lets one person move a large awning with modest effort. Gearboxes wear, and a slipping or grinding gear often traces back to forcing the crank past the fully open or closed point. See awning repair.
GFCI outlet: A ground-fault circuit interrupter receptacle, which cuts power when it detects current leaking to ground. US electrical codes generally require GFCI protection on outdoor receptacles, which is where many plug-in awning motors connect. A GFCI that trips repeatedly when an awning runs points to moisture in the plug, cable, or motor connection. See motorized awning troubleshooting.

H

Hardwired motor: A motorized awning wired directly into a junction box on a circuit rather than plugged into an outlet. Hardwiring gives a cleaner installation without visible cord and is often required for wall switches, but it typically needs a licensed electrician and may need a permit. Plug-in kits are easier to add to an existing outdoor GFCI outlet. See awning installation cost.
Herringbone wrinkling: Diagonal creases or waves that appear in acrylic awning fabric, especially near seams and hems, where layered material rolls up thicker than the single-layer field. Light crease or chalk marks from folding during manufacture are related. Fabric makers generally treat these as normal characteristics rather than defects, and they do not affect water resistance or strength. See awning fabric guide.
Hood: A curved aluminum cover mounted above the roller tube that shields the rolled fabric from rain, sun, and debris when the awning is closed. A hood is an inexpensive add-on for open-roll awnings and the defining part of a semi-cassette design. It does not seal the underside, so fabric is still partly exposed. See retractable awnings.

I

io-homecontrol: A two-way wireless protocol used by Somfy and other manufacturers for motors, sensors, and hubs. Unlike one-way radio, io-homecontrol devices confirm commands and report status, so an app can show whether the awning actually opened or closed. Motors and controls must match: io and RTS components are not interchangeable. See smart home awning control.

K

Keder: A bead, usually a polyester cord or PVC rod, sewn or welded into the edge of fabric so it can slide into a round channel in a roller tube, front bar, or rail. Keder makes fabric easy to fit and replace without stitching it to the frame. RV owners often call it the welt or polycord. See replacing awning fabric.

L

Lag screw: A heavy, hex-head wood screw used to fix awning brackets into studs, rim joists, headers, or rafters. Diameter, length, and embedment are set by the manufacturer for the awning's size; driving them into sheathing or siding alone is a common cause of brackets pulling out. Pre-drill pilot holes and seal penetrations through cladding. See mounting on siding.
Lateral arm: A folding, spring-tensioned arm that extends horizontally from the wall to support the front bar of a retractable awning. Each arm has a shoulder at the bracket, an elbow mid-length, and a joint at the front bar. Springs inside keep fabric taut; arm length sets the awning's projection. See lateral arm vs drop arm awnings.
Lateral arm awning: The standard patio retractable, also called a folding-arm awning, in which two or more lateral arms unfold to push the fabric out with no posts underneath. Typical projections run 8 to 13 ft, with some reaching about 14 to 15 ft. Because the whole load hangs from the wall, mounting structure matters more than any other choice. See retractable awnings.
Limit switch: The setting inside a motor that stops the awning at its fully open and fully closed positions. Older motors use mechanical limits set with adjustment screws; newer ones store electronic limits set through the remote. Wrong limits cause over-rolled fabric, a front bar that does not seat, or arms that never reach tension. See motorized awning troubleshooting.
Louvered roof: A pergola-style structure with aluminum louvers that rotate to admit light and air or close into a sloped, gutter-drained roof. Because it is a rigid structure on posts, it handles rain better than a retractable fabric awning and often needs a permit and footings. It is closer to a patio cover than an awning. See awning vs patio cover.

M

Manual override: A crank eye on some motorized awnings that lets you retract the awning by hand during a power outage or motor failure. Not every motor includes it, so ask before buying if outages are common or if you will be away when storms arrive. Use it only when the motor is not running. See awning motors.
Mesh fabric: An open-weave fabric, usually vinyl-coated polyester, that blocks a large share of sun while letting air and some light through. It is used for solar screens, drop shades, and shade structures. Mesh lowers wind load compared with solid fabric and dries instantly, but it does not keep rain out. See drop shades and solar screens.
Mildew: Mold growth that feeds on dirt, pollen, and organic debris on awning fabric rather than on synthetic fibers themselves. It appears as dark spots, often where fabric was rolled up wet. Prevent it by letting fabric dry before retracting for long periods and by rinsing off debris regularly. See awning mold and mildew.
Motion sensor: A small, usually battery-powered sensor mounted on the front bar that detects shaking from wind and signals the motor to retract. Because it responds to the awning's actual movement, it can work better than a wall anemometer on sheltered or turbulent sites. Test it at the start of each season. See awning wind and sun sensors.
Motorized awning: A retractable awning driven by an electric motor, typically a tubular motor inside the roller tube, controlled by remote, switch, app, or sensors. Motorization makes daily use and automatic wind retraction practical. It adds cost, needs power at the mounting location, and should include a plan for outages. See motorized awnings.
Mounting bracket: The cast or formed metal fitting that fixes an awning to the wall, soffit, or roof and carries the arm shoulders and roller tube. Bracket count and spacing are set by the manufacturer and the awning's width. Each bracket must land on solid structure, such as studs, blocking, or masonry, with the specified fasteners. See mounting on brick, siding and stucco.
Mounting height: How high on the wall the awning's brackets are installed. It must allow for the drop created by pitch plus walking clearance. Example: a 10 ft projection at 14 degrees drops about 2.5 ft (10 x tan 14), so with 7 ft of clearance the brackets go at about 9.5 ft. See awning projection and pitch.

N

NFPA 701: The National Fire Protection Association standard of fire test methods for flame propagation of textiles and films. Commercial and public-space awnings are often required to use fabric that passes NFPA 701, and fabric makers state compliance on their spec sheets. Requirements vary by jurisdiction, so confirm with the local building or fire department. See commercial awning codes and fire ratings.

O

Openness factor: The percentage of open area in a screen or mesh fabric, commonly between 1% and 10%. A lower openness factor blocks more sun, glare, and heat but reduces outward view and airflow; a higher one keeps the view at the cost of more light. Darker colors at the same openness usually give a clearer view out. See drop shades and solar screens.

P

Patio awning: Any awning sized to shade an outdoor seating area, most often a retractable lateral-arm unit but also fixed and freestanding designs. Size it so the shade falls where people actually sit at the times you use the patio, not just to the patio's edge. See patio awnings.
Pergola awning: A fabric canopy that slides or retracts across the top of a pergola frame, either on tracks, cables, or a motorized roller system. It turns an open pergola into adjustable shade while keeping the structure's look. Most systems shed light rain only if pitched, and fabric should be retracted in snow and strong wind. See pergola awnings.
Piece-dyed: Fabric that is woven first and then dyed, so color sits on the surface of the fibers rather than through them. Piece-dyed fabrics cost less and come in many prints, but they fade noticeably faster in direct sun than solution-dyed fabrics. They suit low-exposure or short-term uses more than a south-facing awning. See awning fabric guide.
Pitch: The downward angle of an extended awning from horizontal. Retractables commonly adjust from about 5 to 35 degrees. For drainage aim for at least about 14 degrees (about 3 in of drop per foot of projection), steeper in rainy climates. Steeper pitch also pushes shade lower and closer to the house. See awning projection and pitch.
Polycarbonate: A tough, rigid plastic sheet used for fixed door canopies and patio awnings, in clear, tinted, or multiwall forms. Polycarbonate keeps rain out while letting light through, and UV-protected grades block most ultraviolet. Clear panels pass solar heat, so they shelter from weather better than they cool. See metal and polycarbonate awnings.
Polyester fabric: A synthetic fabric used on budget and mid-range awnings, usually coated for water resistance and often piece-dyed. Polyester is strong and inexpensive but tends to fade and lose coating faster than solution-dyed acrylic, with a typical life of about 5 to 10 years. See acrylic vs polyester vs vinyl.
Ponding: Water collecting in a sag in awning fabric. Each gallon adds about 8 lb, the sag deepens, and the load can stretch fabric permanently, bend the front bar, or damage arms. Prevent it with enough pitch, adequate fabric tension, and by retracting in heavy rain or snow. See waterproof vs water-resistant awnings.
Powder coating: A finish applied as dry powder and baked onto metal, used on most aluminum awning frames, arms, and housings. It is thicker and more chip-resistant than ordinary paint, and powder-coated aluminum frames commonly last 15 to 25 years or more. Touch up chips promptly, especially on steel parts, to stop corrosion spreading. See awning lifespan.
Power awning: An RV awning extended and retracted by a 12-volt motor, controlled from a switch inside or outside the coach. Power awnings are easier and safer to operate than manual ones but depend on the coach battery, and many include wind or motion sensors that retract automatically. See power vs manual RV awnings.
Projection: How far an awning extends out from the wall. Manufacturers usually quote arm length, and at an angle the horizontal reach is slightly shorter: a 12 ft arm at 20 degrees reaches about 11.3 ft (12 x cos 20). Typical lateral-arm projections are 8 to 13 ft. See awning projection and pitch.
PTFE thread: Sewing thread made from polytetrafluoroethylene, which resists UV and weather far better than standard polyester thread. Awning seams sewn with ordinary thread can fail before the fabric does; PTFE thread usually lasts the life of the cover. Ask about thread when ordering custom or replacement fabric. See replacing awning fabric.
PVC fabric: Polyester base fabric coated with polyvinyl chloride, also called vinyl-coated polyester. It is waterproof, easy to clean, and suited to commercial awnings, tension structures, and screens. Seams can be welded rather than sewn. Serge Ferrari is a well-known maker of PVC composite fabrics. See acrylic vs polyester vs vinyl.

R

Rafter arm: On a manual RV awning, the upper support arm that runs from the coach side to the roller tube and holds the fabric taut, separate from the main vertical arm. Rafter arms lock in position with knobs or levers. If they are not set, the awning may sag and pond. See RV awnings.
Rain sensor: A sensor that detects precipitation and tells a motorized awning to retract, protecting acrylic fabric and preventing ponding. It is common in climates with sudden showers and is often paired with wind and sun sensors through a hub. It cannot protect an awning that loses power. See awning wind and sun sensors.
Re-covering: Replacing an awning's fabric while keeping the frame, arms, and motor. Because quality frames often outlast fabric, re-covering is usually the cheapest way to restore an older awning, typically about $500 to $2,000 for a residential retractable. Measure the existing cover and roller carefully before ordering. See replacing awning fabric.
Retractable awning: An awning that rolls up onto a tube or folds away when not needed, by hand crank or motor. It gives shade when wanted and lets winter sun and views back in. It is a shade device, not a rain or snow structure, and should be closed in strong wind and storms. See retractable awnings.
Roller tube: The steel or aluminum tube that the fabric rolls onto. On manual awnings it connects to the gearbox; on motorized awnings it houses the tubular motor. Its diameter and wall strength are sized to the awning's width, since an undersized tube sags in the middle. See awning motors.
Roller tube spring: The wound spring inside a manual RV awning's roller tube that rolls the fabric back up. It stores significant energy, and releasing it carelessly during fabric replacement can cause injury. Follow the manufacturer's procedure for unwinding and rewinding tension. See RV awning fabric replacement.
Roof bracket: A bracket fixed through or over roofing into rafters, used when there is no usable wall above a door or patio. Roof brackets need sealing and flashing to avoid leaks and must land on rafters rather than decking alone. They often add installation cost. See soffit and roof mount brackets.
RTS: Radio Technology Somfy, Somfy's one-way radio protocol for motors, remotes, and sensors. RTS is widely supported and simple to pair, but the motor does not report status, so a remote cannot confirm the awning moved. Somfy's two-way alternative is io-homecontrol. See smart home awning control.
RV awning: An awning mounted on a recreational vehicle's side, usually rolling onto a spring or motorized roller and supported by arms against the coach. It may be manual or powered. RV awnings are made for shade at camp and are vulnerable to wind gusts. See RV awnings.

S

Semi-cassette: A retractable design in which a hood covers the top of the rolled fabric and the front bar partly closes it, but the arms and underside stay exposed. It costs less than a full cassette and protects fabric better than an open-roll awning. See cassette awnings.
Shade sail: A tensioned fabric triangle or rectangle anchored at its corners to posts, walls, or trees. Sails are inexpensive and sculptural, but they need strong anchor points and do not retract like an awning. See awning vs shade sail.
Shoulder: The pivot where a lateral arm meets the mounting bracket or torsion bar. It usually holds the pitch adjustment and carries the arm's full leverage into the wall. Worn shoulder pins or loose bolts cause arm droop and uneven front bars. See awning repair.
Side panel: A fixed or roll-down vertical panel on one or both ends of an awning that blocks low-angle sun from the side. It is useful on east- and west-facing installations where overhead shade alone misses morning or afternoon sun. See window awnings.
Slide-out topper: A small awning mounted above an RV slide-out room that extends and retracts with it. It keeps leaves, water, and debris off the slide-out roof so they are not drawn inside when the room closes. Toppers should be checked for sagging and ponding. See RV awning accessories.
Smart hub: A bridge, such as Somfy's TaHoma, that connects awning motors and sensors to a home network for app, schedule, and voice control. The hub must support the motor's radio protocol. Sensors keep working without it, but schedules and remote access usually need it. See smart home awning control.
Soffit bracket: A bracket that mounts an awning to the underside of an eave rather than the wall, fixing into rafter tails or blocking. It is used where there is little wall height above a door or window. The soffit must be structural enough to carry the awning's load. See soffit and roof mount brackets.
Solar heat gain: Heat that enters a building as sunlight passes through windows. The U.S. Department of Energy reports that awnings can reduce summer solar heat gain by up to 65% on south-facing windows and up to 77% on west-facing windows. See awning energy savings.
Solar screen: A screen fabric mounted over a window or opening, usually outside the glass, to block a chosen share of sun and glare while keeping a view. Its performance is described by openness factor and color. See drop shades and solar screens.
Solution-dyed: Fabric whose fibers are colored by adding pigment to the liquid polymer before the fiber is formed, so color runs through each fiber. Solution-dyed acrylics resist fading far better than piece-dyed fabrics and tolerate cleaning with dilute bleach as directed by the maker. See awning fabric guide.
Spline: A flexible cord or strip pressed into a channel to hold fabric or screen in a frame. In awnings it secures fabric edges in roller tubes, front bars, or fixed frames. Replacement spline must match the channel width. See replacing awning fabric.
Storefront awning: A commercial awning above a shop entrance or windows, used for shade, weather protection, and branding. It usually needs permits and may need flame-resistant fabric and sidewalk clearance. See commercial awnings.
Sun sensor: A light sensor that extends a motorized awning or shade when sunlight passes a set brightness and retracts it when light drops. It is usually paired with a wind sensor so automatic extension never overrides wind safety. See awning wind and sun sensors.
Sunbrella: A brand of solution-dyed acrylic fabric made by Glen Raven and widely used for awnings and marine covers. Sunbrella awning and marine fabrics carry a 10-year limited warranty; check current terms before buying. See Sunbrella awning fabric.

T

Thermal cutout: A safety feature in tubular motors that stops the motor after a few minutes of continuous running to prevent overheating. The awning then will not respond until the motor cools, often 15 to 20 minutes or more. Repeatedly cycling an awning is a common cause. See motorized awning troubleshooting.
Torsion bar: A heavy square steel bar that runs the width of some lateral-arm awnings, with arms and wall brackets clamped to it. It spreads the load and lets brackets be positioned on structure independent of arm positions. See retractable awnings.
Travel lock: A latch or lever on a manual RV awning that holds the rolled awning and arms secure while driving. Forgetting to set it can let the awning unroll on the road. Check both sides before departure. See RV awning care and wind safety.
Tubular motor: A cylindrical motor and gearhead that fits inside the roller tube of a motorized awning. Motors are rated by torque and must be sized for the awning's width, projection, and fabric weight. Tubular motors often last 10 years or more and typically carry about a 5-year warranty. See awning motors.

U

UPF: Ultraviolet Protection Factor, a rating of how much UV a fabric blocks. UPF 50 lets through about 1/50 of UV, roughly 2%. Shade still lets reflected and scattered UV reach people, so sun protection remains important. See UV protection and awnings.

V

Valance: The strip of fabric hanging from the front bar of an awning, straight or scalloped, often with edge binding. It adds a little shade and a finished look. Some awnings have a roll-down valance that drops a vertical screen to block low sun. See retractable awnings.
Vinyl-laminated: A fabric made by bonding vinyl films to both sides of a polyester base. It is waterproof, takes printed graphics well, and is common on commercial and backlit awnings, lasting about 8 to 15 years in commercial use. See acrylic vs polyester vs vinyl.

W

Water-repellent finish: A treatment applied to awning fabric so water beads and runs off rather than soaking in. Harsh cleaning and weathering gradually reduce it, and many fabric makers recommend reapplying a compatible fabric protector after deep cleaning. See how to clean an awning.
Water-resistant: Fabric that sheds light rain but may let water seep through in prolonged rain or at seams. Most acrylic awning fabrics are water-resistant rather than waterproof. Retract water-resistant awnings in heavy rain. See waterproof vs water-resistant awnings.
Width: The side-to-side dimension of an awning along the wall, usually quoted as the overall frame width. Many brands offer single units up to about 20 ft wide, with coupled units for wider spans. See how to measure for an awning.
Wind resistance class: A rating under EN 13561 from class 0 to 3 indicating how much wind load an awning was tested to withstand. Higher classes mean higher tested load. See awning wind ratings.
Wind sensor: An anemometer, usually with spinning cups, mounted on the wall that retracts a motorized awning when wind speed passes a set threshold. Mount it where it feels the same wind as the awning. See awning wind and sun sensors.
Window awning: An awning over a single window, fixed or drop-arm, sized to extend beyond the frame on each side. On south windows, projection is often about half to two-thirds of the window height. See window awnings.

Z

Zip track screen: A drop shade whose fabric edges carry a zipper-like bead that runs inside side channels, holding the screen taut and sealed. It resists wind better than cable-guided shades and blocks gaps that let insects in. See drop shades and solar screens.