I’m rewriting a post I originally wrote back in 2007 because, believe it or not, I still get questions about awnings on historic homes. And the advice really hasn’t changed.
Awnings are one of those details that can look completely right or completely wrong on a historic house. The good news is that this is not rocket science. There are a few basic rules, a couple of NO NO’s, and a whole lot of common sense.
This comes up quite a bit with Mediterranean Revival architecture here in Miami, where awnings aren’t only decorative. They have a job to do. They provide shade and weather protection, and when they’re done correctly, they can add a lot of personality to a facade without taking away from the architecture.
I’ve written about some of these other details before, including:
- lime paints for historic homes and one of my favorites,
These may seem like individual decisions, but together they are what preserve the architectural character of a historic home.
So let’s talk awnings.
Are Awnings Appropriate for Historic Homes?
Absolutely. Awnings have historically been used for shade and protection from the elements, which obviously makes a lot of sense in Miami.
The important thing to remember is that their primary purpose is functional, not decorative. Traditionally, awnings were installed where they were needed, not over every single window and door just because there was an opening available.
Please don’t overdo it. There is nothing worse than seeing every single fenestration, meaning every window and door opening, covered by an awning. That’s what I call overkill.
The architecture should still be able to breathe.
What Shape Awning Should You Use?
Here’s the easiest rule of all: follow the shape of the opening.
- If the door or window is square or rectangular, use a straight or rectangular awning. Never arched.
- If the door or window is arched, use an arched awning. Never straight.
Pretty simple, don’t you think?
And yet, once you start looking around Miami, you’ll notice how often this gets ignored. An arched awning over a rectangular window creates a shape that has absolutely nothing to do with the architecture. The same thing happens when you put a straight awning across a beautiful arched opening.
The awning should reinforce the geometry that’s already there, not invent a new one.
These are examples of straight or rectangular awnings installed over rectangular doors and windows. Nothing complicated. They simply follow the architecture.
Never install an arched awning on a rectangular opening. Please.
This is a beautiful example of arched awnings placed within arched openings. The shape makes sense because it’s responding to the architecture.
What About Bubble Awnings?
Not all arched awnings are created equal, and here’s another NO NO: the bubble awning.
An awning over an arched opening should follow the shape of the architecture. A bubble awning may technically be curved, but it creates its own rounded, projecting shape instead of following the plane and geometry of the opening.
Bubble awnings are much more appropriate for commercial applications. On a historic residence, especially Mediterranean Revival architecture, they can compete with the opening instead of complementing it.
If you already have one, I apologize. You probably didn’t know any better.
What Color Should Awnings Be?
This is where the rules loosen up because color is definitely subjective.
Striped fabric is usually my preference, but not always. If the facade already has a lot going on, stripes can become overwhelming. Some people believe solid colors look more formal and appropriate, but I really think it depends on the particular architecture of the house.
Look at the whole facade. The stucco, roof tile, windows, doors, landscaping and other architectural details are already part of the composition. Your awnings need to live with all of it.
And here’s one piece of advice I still give people: get a big fabric swatch.
Those tiny samples in the books are almost useless, especially if you’re choosing stripes. You need to see enough fabric to understand the pattern and how the color will actually read on the house. Miami sunlight can also make a color look very different outside than it did when you picked it from a sample book. A good awning company should be happy to provide a larger sample.
What Do Historic Preservation Standards Say About Awnings?
This isn’t something I’m making up as I go.
Historic restoration should be consistent with recognized preservation standards, including The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation. These standards provide guidance for preserving the historic character of a property while allowing it to continue to be used and adapted over time.
The National Park Service also has an entire Preservation Brief dedicated to The Use of Awnings on Historic Buildings: Repair, Replacement & New Design, which goes into much more detail about historic awnings and how new or replacement awnings should relate to a building.
Then there are local requirements. Depending on the property and whether it has a historic designation or is located within a historic district, exterior changes may require additional review or approval.
Educating yourself about these details is part of owning a historic home. Roofs, windows, paint, awnings and all those seemingly small decisions are what collectively preserve, or slowly erase, the character of the architecture.
The Miamism Take
Awnings can bring a lot of life to a facade, historic or not. They can provide shade, help with energy efficiency and take the “boring” factor out of a house that needs a little something.
But more isn’t better.
Think about why the awning is there, whether its shape makes sense and how it relates to the rest of the house. On a historic home, the best additions don’t fight for attention. They look like they were always supposed to be there.
And please, no bubble awnings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you put awnings on a historic home?
Yes. Awnings can be appropriate for historic homes when their shape, placement and design respect the architecture and any applicable preservation requirements.
Should an awning match the shape of the window?
Yes. Straight awnings belong on rectangular openings and arched awnings belong on arched openings. Following the existing geometry is one of the simplest ways to make an awning look appropriate to the architecture.
Do I need approval to add awnings to a historic home?
Possibly. Requirements depend on the property’s historic designation and local regulations. If the home is individually designated or located within a historic district, check with the appropriate local preservation authority before making exterior changes.
Thinking About Selling a Historic Miami Home?
Historic homes aren’t like every other property, and they shouldn’t be marketed that way. We know the architecture, we understand the details that make these homes special, and, more importantly, we understand the audience looking for them.
Historic Miami real estate is one of our fortes. If you’re thinking about selling your historic home, give us a call. We’ll make sure the right buyers understand exactly what makes it worth paying attention to.
BONUS: One last thing… did you catch what’s wrong with the awnings in the post image? Consider this your final exam
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