Awnings of a rack, which is covered with fabric. They protect against sun and heat and provide shielding for objects and against dazzling. With the help of special racks and fabrics, visual cover and rain shelter can be achieved as well. Awnings can be divided into three kinds.
With roll awnings the fabric is clamped on a cloth spindle (similar to roller blinds). With retractable fan-fold awnings the cloth is firmly clamped on the rack. Due to the movable rack the fabric can be folded. Fixed awnings are absolutely unmovable. Here, the fabric is also clamped on a firm rack. Additionally to the division into the three kinds, it is also possible to classify them according to types, which can be assigned to one or more kinds. (Markisen, Blendschutz, Objektschutz, Sichtschutz, Regenschutz, Rollmarkise, Faltmarkise, Festmarkise)
The probably most simple type is the basket awning. The rack is made from wood or aluminium and mostly has the shape of a corner arc, but also triangles and other shapes are possible. The bent shape enables a higher resistance of the awning in case of strong wind and – when covered with the right cloth – also a good rain shelter. Basket awnings can be typically found at cafés and shops.
This is a simple roll awning construction. With the help of two or more arms, which are fixed at the lower part of the fabric, the awning cloth is unfolded down the roll. The drop arms normally have a slewing range between 90 and 140 degrees. With higher angles the traction of the fabric will be very high and it could result in rupture of the seems. In many cases the fabric itself is not completely opaque. Therefore, you achieve protection against dazzling, but at the same time the cloth still lets some light into the room. The awning can be operated either electrically or with a crank.
The articulated arms – mostly made of aluminium – clamp the cloth by means of tension springs. This construction allows the fabric to fall horizontally. These awnings are mainly used as sun and thermal protection. Basically, you can choose between open articulated-arm awnings, where the shaft is openly visible, and closed awnings, whose shaft and arms can be protected in a box or a cassette. In the retracted condition a closed articulated-arm awning is therefore protected against climatic conditions.