An awning or overhang is a secondary covering attached to the exterior wall of a building. It is typically composed of canvas woven of acrylic, cotton or polyester yarn, or vinyl laminated to polyester fabric that is stretched tightly over a light structure of aluminium, iron or steel, possibly wood or transparent material (used to cover solar thermal panels in the summer, but that must allow as much light as possible in the winter). The configuration of this structure is something of a truss, space frame or planar frame. Awnings are also often constructed of aluminium understucture with aluminium sheeting. These aluminium awnings are often used when a fabric awning is not a practical application where snow load as well as wind loads may be a factor.

The location of an awning on a building may be above a window, a door, or above the area along a sidewalk. With the addition of columns an awning becomes a canopy, which is able to extend further from a building, as in the case of an entrance to a hotel. Restaurants often use awnings broad enough to cover substantial outdoor area for outdoor dining, parties, or reception. In commercial buildings, an awning is often painted with information as to the name, business, and address, thus acting as a sign or billboard as well as providing shade, breaking strong winds, and protecting from rain or snow. In areas with wintry weather, most awnings do not have to be taken down at the end of the summer - they can remain retracted against the building all winter long, or be designed and built for those conditions.

Awnings were first used by the ancient Egyptian and Syrian civilizations. They are described as "woven mats" that shaded market stalls and homes. A Roman poet Lucretius, in 50 BC, said "Linen-awning, stretched, over mighty theatres, gives forth at times, a cracking roar, when much 'tis beaten about, betwixt the poles and cross-beams".

Among the most significant awnings in the ancient world was the velarium, the massive complex of retractable shade structures that could be deployed above the seating areas of the Roman Colosseum. Made of linen shadecloths, timber framing, iron sockets and rope, the system could effectively shade about one-third of the arena and seating; another third could be shaded by the high surrounding walls, providing a majority of seats some shade on a blinding afternoon. It is believed that sailors, with their background in sailmaking and rigging were employed to build, maintain and operate the velarium. [1]

Awnings became common during the first half of the 19th century. At that time they consisted of timber or cast iron posts set along the sidewalk edge and linked by a front cross bar. To lend support to larger installations, angled rafters linked the front cross bar to the building facade. The upper end of the canvas was connected to the facade with nails, with grommets and hooks, or by lacing the canvas to a head rod bolted to the facade. The other (projecting) end of the canvas was draped over or laced to a front bar with the edge often hanging down to form a valance. On ornate examples, metal posts were adorned with filigree and the tops decorated with spear ends, balls or other embellishments. On overcast days or when rain did not threaten, the covering was often rolled up against the building facade; during the winter months proper maintenance called for the removal and storage of awnings. Photographs from the mid-19th century often show the bare framework, suggesting that the covering was extended only when necessary. Canvas duck was the predominant awning fabric, a strong, closely woven cotton cloth used for centuries to make tents and sails.

Awnings became a common feature in the years after the Civil War. Iron plumbing pipe, which was quickly adapted for awning frames, became widely available and affordable as a result of mid-century industrialization. It was a natural material for awning frames, easily bent and threaded together to make a range of different shapes and sizes. At the same time the advent of the steamship forced canvas mills and sail makers to search for new markets. An awning industry developed offering an array of frame and fabric options adaptable to both storefronts and windows.

In the second half of the 19th century, manufactured operable awnings grew in popularity. Previously, most awnings had fixed frames-the primary way to retract the covering was to roll it up the rafters by hand. Operable systems for both storefront and window awnings had extension arms that were hinged where they joined the facade. The arms were lowered to project the awning or raised to retract the awning using simple rope and pulley arrangements. Because the canvas remained attached to the framework, retractable awnings allowed a more flexible approach to shading (shopkeepers and owners could incrementally adjust the amount of awning coverage depending upon the weather conditions). When the sun came out from behind clouds, the awning could be deployed with ease. In case of sudden storms, owners could quickly retract the awning against the building wall where it was protected from wind gusts.

Despite their advantages, early operable awnings had drawbacks; when retracted, their cloth coverings often bunched up against the building facade. This left part of the fabric exposed to inclement weather, and deterioration was often accelerated by moisture pooling in the folds of fabric. If poorly designed or badly placed, the retracted fabric could obscure part of the window or door opening, and even if out of the way an imperfectly folded awning presented an unkempt appearance. Modern materials and designs have eliminated all of these issues.

Retractable awnings let owners control the weather on their own terms. When passing showers threaten, or when the sun gets hot, they or the home automation system unroll the awning for near-instant protection and shade. Lab test measurements show that it can be as much as 20 degrees cooler under an awnings canopy. Because awnings prevent the sun from shining through windows and sliding glass doors, they can keep temperatures inside cooler as well, which saves on air-conditioning costs. They can help prevent carpets and furniture from fading in sunlight. Awnings also provide a sheltered place for children and pets to play, shielded from direct sun.

Some of todays awnings also offer accessories that can greatly increase the versatility and usefulness owners get from their decks or patios. A screen room add-on can easily turn an awning into a virtually bug-free outdoor room, side screening cuts down on wind and mist coming under the sides of awnings, and patio lights let people enjoy their decks evenings and nights.

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Awning - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

For over a decade now, Printcountry.com have been providing an assortment of top quality printing products with secure and excellent service to our customers for their document imaging and printing needs. As we continue to strive for customer satisfaction, we invite you to check-out how our value-added services can make your online shopping experience productive and rewarding yet simple and straightforward.

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"Paint.NET is just about perfect ..."- Lifehacker (June 2010) "Impressive." - PC World, Top 100 Products of 2007 "It raises the quality bar," - Jeff Atwood, Coding Horror About Paint.NET is free image and photo editing software for PCs that run Windows. It features an intuitive and innovative user interface with support for layers, unlimited undo, special effects, and a wide variety of useful and powerful tools. An active and growing online community provides friendly help, tutorials, and plugins. It started development as an undergraduate college senior design project mentored by Microsoft, and is currently being maintained by some of the alumni that originally worked on it. Originally intended as a free replacement for the Microsoft Paint software that comes with Windows, it has grown into a powerful yet simple image and photo editor tool. It has been compared to other digital photo editing software packages such as Adobe Photoshop, CorelPaint Shop Pro, Microsoft Photo Editor, and The GIMP.

Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other countries. Adobe and Photoshop are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated in the United States and/or other countries. Corel and Paint Shop Pro are trademarks or registered trademarks of Corel Corporation and/or its subsidiaries in Canada, the United States, and/or other countries.

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The American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) heard speakers on a range of topics at the 78th Annual Conference held Feb. 15-18 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Subjects discussed included next-generation replacement of windows, standardization for fenestration products in the European Union, the basics of color measurement and more.

Jim Snyder talks next-generation replacement Jim Snyder, owner of the company WindowJim, spoke to conference attendees about the paradox of next-generation window replacement a complex problem that will take time to resolve. While the industry relies on replacement, Snyder said, window manufacturers are saddled with the blame of installation failures. However, this is not to say the matter is hopeless.

Snyder urged attendees to think about prevention, and also involving others who do not have a vested interest, such as builders and architects. Enforcing proper installation in new construction is also key.

Replacement can no longer be an afterthought, said Snyder. Its a second opportunity to sell a window package to the same house. If replacement isnt doable, were losing that opportunity.

Frank Koos explains European legislation, standardization for fenestration products Frank Koos, general secretary of EuroWindoor, discussed the construction sector in Europe, the legislation that governs it, the European window markets and other areas of international interest. He gave an outlook to the next challenges for construction projects in the EU, including stronger requirements for energy efficiency, restrictions on the use of certain hazardous substances and the concept of Sustainability Assessment for Building Certification.

Different national standards cause barriers to trade and create the necessity for multiple testing requirements and thus fees, Koos said.

What the customer expects is not always what he gets, said Koos, adding that product characteristics must be suitable. Different projects require different product performance.

Greg Shrider discusses the basics of color measurement BYK-Gardners global business manager, Greg Shrider, covered the basics of color measurement including a discussion of color spaces and the methods of evaluating changes or differences in color. He offered attendees a better understanding of the Hunter and CIELAB color space systems and of color difference equations including the use of ellipsoid values to set pass/fail color tolerances.

Although we think we see color well, we really dont, said Shrider, adding that color perception is subjective depending upon age, gender and mood. The eye is a wonderful tool, adaptive and creative; however, it has a flaw: We have two different types of sensors cones and rods. The Wright/Guild Experiment focused red/blue energy on one screen and a variable input on the other. Smaller area of view did not respond well to color viewing.

We see differences in hue (color) first, then chroma (saturation) and last, we see lightness or darkness, said Shrider

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Replacement Windows Squirrel Hill PA 412-345-1320 Window Replacement
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A fatal fire at a boarding house near 22nd and M Streets in late December 2014 prompted questions about Omaha building code.

Video: 7 CAN HELP: Make sure window replacement maintains life-saving feature

As the investigation into what sparked the fire continues, the city's chief building inspector is going public -- warning residents about a often-overlooked part of the code that's in place to help people escape a house or apartment: Egress windows.

"They're one part of what saves lives," said Jay Davis, permits and inspections superintendent for the City of Omaha. "You're looking at the front door, you're looking at egress windows and most importantly, you're looking at smoke detectors to alert you to get out of these egress windows."

READ THE CITY CODE ABOUT EGRESS WINDOWS

What is an egress window? It's a window required in every sleeping room of a residential property. Per city code, an egress window must provide an opening no smaller than 5.7 square feet. The window serves a dual purpose -- letting occupants escape outside and giving firefighters an alternate entrance to the building.

The problem, according to Davis: Some contractors --unbeknownst to homeowners --are cutting corners during windowreplacement jobs, and substituting an egress window with a smaller window.

Davis says it happens with alarming frequency, especially when contractors use pocket windows on replacement jobs.

"They take [the original window] out and they put [the pocket window in] this opening, decreasing the size that was originally there," Davis explained.

That's not to say contractors can't properly install pocket windows following the city code for egress -- it just takes more care.

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Make sure window replacement maintains life-saving feature

Lanham, Maryland (PRWEB) February 25, 2015

Thompson Creek Window Company, the mid-Atlantics leading home improvement replacement products company, today announced it has been honored with the SmartCEO Future 50 award. Washington D.C.s SmartCEO profiles the 50 awarded companies, which represent the areas fastest growing companies based on a combined three-year growth rate of revenue and employees. The 2015 Future 50 winners collectively generate $3.5 billion in annual revenue and employ 13,000 individuals in the Greater Washington area.

The companies we honored this year are growing in spite of the economic hardships we have all been facing. These companies are investing in themselves, investing in their people and rising above the rest. They deserve to be recognized and celebrated because they are moving the economy and the region forward, says Jaime Nespor-Zawmon, president of SmartCEO Events. We are proud to recognize them for their achievements and growth.

We are proud to be a recipient of this award. Our goal is, and always will be 100% total customer satisfaction. Our growth is a result of the business we generate from our satisfied customers and the great feedback they are giving to their friends and neighbors about our company. Winning another SmartCEO Award validates we are succeeding in our mission of making our customers House Proud, said Rick Wuest, president of Thompson Creek Window Company.

For more information on the Future 50 winners, visit http://www.smartceo.com/smartceo-magazine to view the digital edition of the January/February 2015 issue.

About Thompson Creek Window Company The Thompson Creek Window Company is a privately owned and family-operated manufacturer and installer of energy-efficient home improvement replacement products. Founded in 1980, Thompson Creek Window Company began as a manufacturer of energy-efficient, maintenance-free vinyl windows. Since that time, Thompson Creek Window Company has evolved into one of the leading specialty home improvement contracting companies in the nation. The companys product mix includes replacement windows and doors, vinyl siding and a clog-free gutter system. Thompson Creek Window Company is headquartered in Lanham, MD with an 80,000 square-foot manufacturing facility in Landover, MD.

About SmartCEO SmartCEOs mission is to educate and inspire the business community through its award winning magazine, connections at C-level events and access to valuable online resources. SmartCEOs integrated media platforms reach decision makers in the Baltimore, New York, Philadelphia and Washington, DC, metropolitan areas.

About the Future 50 Awards The Future 50 Awards program is the largest and most highly anticipated SmartCEO awards program of the year. This program recognizes 50 fast-growth, mid-sized companies in the region, five large Blue Chip companies and five small Emerging Growth companies. These companies represent the future of the regions economy and embody the entrepreneurial spirit critical for leadership and success. The winners, chosen based on a three-year average of employee and revenue growth, are listed alphabetically, not ranked. The winners are profiled in the January/February issue of SmartCEO magazine and celebrated at an awards reception in January.

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You shouldnt judge a book by its cover, but you can judge a home by its exterior. Making your home the envy of the neighborhood starts with boosting its curb appeal.

From general maintenance to home upgrades, here are three ideas to refresh your homes look:

Update Windows

Replacing your windows with beautifully designed products will give your home a great first impression, not to mention reduce your energy bills and increase your homes value.

After a window replacement, taking care of your new window is just as important. Wash windows every few months so they always look as good as the day they were installed.

Avoid scratching the surface of the glass, or frame, by utilizing non-abrasive agents. Water and a soft cloth is usually all you need to clean windows thoroughly, but a mild cleaner may also be helpful.

Choose Sleek Siding

If you are looking to boost your homes energy efficiency and attain a new look for your exterior, replacing your siding is a great investment that can achieve both of these goals. Just be sure you get a superior product to avoid maintenance down the line. For example, vinyl siding is an ideal product because of its low maintenance and longevity. No matter what color siding you opt for, you can make your entire homes exterior pop by choosing a distinct trim color.

Use a complimentary onlinedesign center, like the one on the Window World website, to help visualize color options for windows, siding and doors.

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Make your home the envy of the neighborhood

Discover the difference new windows can make in your home. Whether you are looking to replace your current windows or get the right look for that new home at The Home Depot we have the perfect solution for you. Do you feel as though you are tossing money out of your windows? Energy efficient windows installed into your home can save you money. Studies have shown that these windows can save you as much as one-fourth to half of the power that is needed to heat or cool your house.

Vinyl windows offer easy care, dont need painting, staining or refinishing, and will look great for years. From mobile home windows to kitchen windows, we offer an incredible selection of high quality options to meet every need. You can also eliminate your noise problem with soundproof windows which will provide a more peaceful home by limiting the outside noise.

Bring out the beauty in your home with our decorative oval windows. These windows will offer a unique and elegant look to your home. Our windows are second to none in quality and craftsmanship, while being a great addition to any home. Double pane windows are another great way to save money. These windows will save you up to 25 percent on energy costs when compared to older, single-pane models. Reduced energy not only saves you money, but is good for the environment.

Be sure to visit with one of our knowledgeable Home Depot store associates to answer any question you might have about new windows and start saving today!

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