One of the materials that is particularly suited for outdoor awnings is copper; stylish and solid, with a characteristic reddish color and a natural ancient appearance, copper awnings are a great addition to the façade of your home or business. Copper is a very versatile material which is able to maintain a brand new appearance even after years of exposure to the sun or the rain. Because of its strength, a copper awning is able to protect you from rain, snow and sunrays; for instance, a copper door awning could be a true “savior” for your precious wooden door or for your valuable glass door. You will never be forced again to re-paint or, even worse, substitute your door because the wood is so damaged that it looks like it has been there for hundreds of years. Your door will be protected and will always look new.

Commonly, copper awnings were used for covering and repairing the windows of old stone buildings; however, today you can also use a copper awning to protect any windows of your house. Copper window awnings are custom-made according to the size and the shape of the actual window where they are going to be placed.

A copper window awning requires much less maintenance than any other kind of awning. In fact, the structure of copper awnings is composed only of a single copper sheet; this sheet is firmly fastened to the walls of the house.

So, differently from other awnings, once the copper sheet is fixed, there are no moving parts. If the window or the door where the copper awning will be placed is particularly wide, consequently, the copper awning will also be wide. To give more support to the awning, an iron structure may be used. The iron frame must be primed with an industrial metal sealer to prevent it from rusting; it is then finished with enamel paint. The space between the awning and the wall is usually sealed with some caulking compound, to avoid unpleasant leaking under the awning.

Another reason why copper awnings are so popular is the typical weathering phenomenon copper undergoes; after a copper awning is exposed to the sun and the rain for some time, a characteristic reddish patina forms on its surface. This patina enhances even more the fashionable look copper already possesses; it will make your house look antique and elegant. Cooper awnings will give your façade a peculiar touch that will completely change its look. Once you install them, you will “feel” the difference.

It is common that oxygen exposure causes the copper awnings to undergo a chemical reaction called oxidation; this causes the copper to become “dirty”, which scientifically means losing electrons and forming tarnish. This can easily be removed by accurately cleaning the copper awnings. For cleaning copper awnings you could use any one of the many chemical products that are present on the market; however, if you want to keep the old fashioned look of your copper awning, you could also try one of the popular “ancient” methods which where used years ago by our grandmothers. One of the most common remedies for your oxidized copper is applying a rudimentary dough made of flour, vinegar and salt onto the tarnish; the acidity of the vinegar will start instantaneously to dissolve the oxidation products. Apply this coating on your copper awning until it is shiny again, like the day you bought it.

It is important that you remember to rinse the copper every time you apply the coating; the chemical properties of the “dough” may cause damage to the copper itself if left on it for too long and so it is important that it is removed after it is applied.

Awnings in general are very common today, be they synthetic or copper awnings; people like adorning and protect their doors and windows, and awnings allow them to do it in a decorative and inexpensive way. If you wish to find out more information on copper awnings or if you already know everything you need to know and are ready to purchase one, the Internet is a great place to look. You can see pictures, compare prices and models as well as request a paper catalog that will be shipped to your house free of charge.