While these awnings might have reached their popularity in the 1950s, the originally filed patent date is 1935, indicating that the awnings were commercially available during the 1930s. Seeing this date has changed my perspective as to when these awnings might have been installed on some buildings.
The “Pan and Cover” assembly method allows for a natural venting action to prevent the build-up of hot air against windows. The unique construction helps keep rain, and debris from penetrating, without trapping heated air underneath. A small amount of light can filter through the awning.
Pan and cover metal awning (right) samples, undated. from http://www.advancealuminum.net/portfolio/?album=ALUMINUMAWNINGS accessed 5-18-18
These types of awnings might still be commercially available under the industry term of “Aurora” awning. They appeared to have been manufactured by a subsidiary of Metals USA that was known as Building Products USA, but that website is defunct as of this posting.
Categories: Architectural Research, Historic Preservation
Preservation in Mississippi 
I’ve got a wraparound awning like this on my porch and it’s great! It’s gotten a little banged up over the years, but it allows me to sit out in rain and sun, and it looks great too.
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I have this type of awnings across the front of my house. Aren’t the most attractive sight, but they do a great job. I hope they last forever.
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This video was featured on another blog this week. Azaleas on Brandon Ave. in 1958. Awnings were everywhere.
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I saw this video on that local Jackson blog and also where someone noted that a Google Earth tour of the street today (2014) showed an amazing number of the awnings still in use, though in a rather different looking neighborhood. Two thoughts: They must be of very sturdy construction and some salesman made a killing on that street 60 years ago!
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Two accurate thoughts! Although they are still very functional in the a/c days, as they reduce the solar heat gain on the windows. The building doesn’t get as hot means the a/c doesn’t have to work as hard and this equals lower electric bills.
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When I lived on N. State St. in Jackson in a house that faced west, I would have given my right arm for an awning on the living room window. There was one over the front door that did nothing but drip on me when it was raining and I rejoiced when it was pulled down when the house was being painted. Sadly, it was too mangled to be repurposed over the window.
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