An awning is a secondary covering that is typically attached to a building. They are often made of canvas although they can also be made from vinyl and are then stretched tightly over a steel or aluminum frame. They're typically located over a window or a door or above an entrance or sidewalk. Restaurants and stores may use them at the entrance and when they do, they most commonly have the name of their business on them. Some are stable and in the out position at all times, others are mechanical and can be wound out or kept in depending on the weather and person desire. Today they come in two basic types; Manually-operated models that must be opened and closed by hand and motorized models that are operated by electricity. Some of the newer electric models even have built in sensors that can detect high winds or other types of poor weather and be set to close automatically if certain weather conditions are present.
