Fixed Awnings in Orlando, FL

Fixed awnings are the stationary kind: a frame bolted to the building with fabric stretched over it, left in place all year. They have no arms, motor or roller tube, which means fewer moving parts to wear out and nothing to remember to retract when you leave for the day. That makes them a good fit for spots that need shade or rain cover constantly, such as a west window, a back door, a walkway or a small patio.

How the frame is built

Most fixed awnings use a frame of aluminum tube, cut and welded or bolted into the shape you want, then powder coated. Aluminum does not rust, which matters in Orlando's humidity and rain, and it keeps weight down on the wall. Galvanized or stainless steel is used where a stiffer frame is needed. The fabric is laced or stapled onto the frame and can be replaced later without replacing the frame.

Shapes and styles

• Traditional slope (shed): a straight pitched face, sometimes with a valance. Simple and good at shedding rain.
• Dome and half-round: curved frames over arched windows and entries.
• Quarter barrel and concave: softer profiles that suit Mediterranean-style stucco homes common in Central Florida subdivisions.
• Open-sided or closed-sided: side panels add shade from low sun but catch more wind.

We match the shape to the window or doorway and to what your HOA allows.

Designed for daily downpours

Because a fixed awning cannot be put away, it has to handle every afternoon storm from May to October. That means a steep enough slope for water to run off quickly, fabric tensioned tight so it does not sag into a pocket, and a drip edge or gutter that sends runoff away from doors and walkways. Florida's building code includes wind design requirements for awnings, so the frame size, spacing and anchors are chosen for the wall and exposure, and we check the mounting surface before we quote.

Fabric choices

Solution-dyed acrylic is the common choice for residential fixed awnings because the color runs through the fiber and resists fading in strong sun. Vinyl-coated polyester and vinyl laminates are fully waterproof and easy to wipe clean, which suits entries and commercial walkways. Sunbrella, one acrylic maker, offers a 10-year limited warranty on its shade fabrics; other makers set their own terms. We list the fabric and its warranty on your quote.

When a fixed awning is the better choice

If you want shade every day, do not want a motor, or the space is small, fixed is usually simpler and less expensive than retractable. If you want winter sun on the same patio, or the space is large and exposed, a retractable awning or an aluminum cover may suit you better. We will tell you which way we would go after seeing the spot.