What Are the Different Styles of Awnings?

Denise O'Leary • July 16, 2021
0 minute read

Phoenix gets nearly 300 days of sun a year, making awnings and shade structures an indispensable investment for your home or business.

 

Awnings serve both a functional and decorative purpose. In addition to providing significant energy-saving benefits, awnings also add an aesthetically pleasing element to your home or business. With hundreds of potential awning shape, valance and color combinations, Arizona Awnings can ensure you get the perfect awning to match your home or business’s style.

 

Traditional Awnings

Our traditional awning style is a popular, functional and cost-effective design that looks great on both commercial and residential buildings. The fixed frame’s downward slope and length can be adjusted per your preferences and provides great shade coverage while minimizing obstruction of the window’s view.

 

Convex Awnings

Convex awnings, also known as crescent awnings, provide the same coverage as a traditional awning, but feature an outwards curve instead of a straight angle. They can provide a more dramatic and playful look. Convex awnings can be installed over home or business windows or doors.

 

Dome Awnings

This style is similar to a convex awning but is completely rounded instead of having straight edges on the end. They’re essentially just half of a dome sticking out from a wall above a door or window. Dome awnings can be made to perfectly fit around door openings and windows for ultimate protection from the sun on the inside.

 

Spear Point Awnings

Spear Point Awnings can give a sharp look to any window, patio door or business entrance. Many home and business owners like the classically elegant aesthetic these timeless ornaments exude. The amount of coverage spear point awnings provide depends on the angle and length of the spears. There is also appeal in their ease of installation.

 

Retractable Awnings

All the previously mentioned awning styles are fixed, meaning they are installed for permanence and can’t be easily taken down or rolled in. They are sturdy and provide consistent shade, but they cannot be moved and usually only extend a couple of feet out from an exterior wall.

 

Retractable awnings provide more flexibility in terms of functionality and length, which is why they’re frequently used on patios and decks. They can be mounted to a wall or roof and extend out to a certain point to provide shade when you want it but can also be put away for times when you want sun exposure or to avoid storm and wind damage.

 

Retractable awnings can allow your family to enjoy your outdoor spaces for more of the year, but they’re also mechanical in nature. As with anything that has a motor or electrical components, it will eventually require maintenance and replacement.

 

A high-quality retractable awning can last a long time when it’s well cared for, especially if it’s always retracted before high winds or monsoon storms.

 

Patio Cover Awnings

Patio covers, one of the most sought-after awning styles for outdoor comfort and recreation, come in many different shapes and sizes. Patio covers are used in both residential and commercial areas for outdoor living, pools and dining. They are static structures but are constructed to be exceptionally durable and stand up to extreme weather conditions.

 

Arizona Awnings offers three different types of patio coverings:

 

  1. Shade structures
  2. Triangular shade sails
  3. Rectangular shade sails

 

Which design style you choose is highly dependent on your own personal preferences and the shape of the area you want to shade. They can also be customized to fit over any structure, from playgrounds and patio sets to parking spaces and pools. These shade structures can stand on their own or be supported by a building depending on the look and functionality you need.

 

Cabana and Gazebos

What is a pool without a luxurious cabana or gazebo? You can find our cabanas and gazebos at resorts around the Valley, but they also look amazing in any Phoenix backyard. Optional curtains and drapes add a dramatic effect and provide privacy with an elegant, sophisticated look. Cabanas or gazebos can be used to cover televisions, hot tubs and dining areas.

 

Customize Your Awning With the Perfect Valance

Each of these awnings can come with any of our soft valance options, making it easy to tailor your awning to your personal style or your home’s exterior design aesthetic.

 

●      English

●      Spanish

●      Swiss

●      Straight-hemmed edge

●      Southwestern

●      Roman

●      French

●      Riviera

●      Greek

●      Rolling hills

 

Our awnings are crafted using fabrics by Sunbrella, a brand renowned for high-quality fabrics that are durable, flame retardant and UV resistant.

 

Regardless of your home’s design style or your personal preference, we’re sure we can custom craft a beautiful and functional awning solution that will perfectly match it. If you are looking to elevate your business or backyard, call Arizona Awnings at 602-252-3430 to get a free estimate. 

What different types of fabrics are used to make awnings
DOWNLOAD
By Denise O'Leary March 6, 2026
Poor shade design can raise cooling costs, increase glare, and fade interiors fast. Learn what to fix for Phoenix storefronts—AZ Awning can help.
By Denise O'Leary March 4, 2026
Cut harsh glare while keeping bright natural light. Explore custom shade solutions for Phoenix homes and storefronts with AZ Awning.
By Denise O'Leary February 27, 2026
Arizona heat cycles stress awning materials over time. Compare fabric vs. metal durability and maintenance for Phoenix—choose right with AZ Awning.
By Denise O'Leary February 4, 2026
Sun angles change throughout the year, affecting shade coverage and comfort. Learn how Arizona homeowners can optimize awning performance with help from Arizona Awning.
By Denise O'Leary February 4, 2026
Lower winter sun angles can cause unexpected UV damage. Learn how proper shade placement protects outdoor furniture in Arizona homes with insight from Arizona Awning.
By Denise O'Leary February 4, 2026
Bigger projections don’t always mean better shade. Learn how sun angle, wind load, and placement affect awning performance for Arizona homes with guidance from Arizona Awning.
By Denise O'Leary October 30, 2025
Catch issues early: check fabric, seams, tension, pitch, hardware, motors and drains; clean and reseal as needed. Book a tune-up with AZ Awning in Phoenix, AZ.
By Denise O'Leary October 21, 2025
Keep build-out awnings looking sharp: scheduled cleanings, tension checks, hardware reseals, and seasonal tune-ups. Book AZ Awning maintenance in Phoenix, AZ.
By Denise O'Leary October 16, 2025
Shade sails cut heat and glare at car washes—wind-rated posts, UV-stable fabric, fast installs, branding. AZ Awning in Phoenix, AZ designs & builds solutions for car washes and other businesses.
By Denise O'Leary October 16, 2025
Glass/stucco bounce harsh glare—especially afternoons—so placement matters. Dial pitch, projection & height; add drop shades. AZ Awning in Phoenix, AZ (Tempe/Scottsdale).