Custom Awnings in Storefront Design

From the sidewalk, an awning is part of the storefront's shape. It adds a projecting surface above the glass, creates a band of color and changes how the windows and entrance look together.

The Ulta Beauty and Panera Bread photographs here show two different approaches from Universal Awning's project portfolio. One uses a continuous fabric awning across a broad storefront. The other uses separate covers over the windows and entrance.

One wide awning creates a continuous line

At the Ulta Beauty storefront pictured above, the orange awning extends across a row of glass panels. Its straight front edge forms one long horizontal line beneath the wall cladding.

The orange fabric stands out against the darker wall above and glass below, while the narrow vertical window frames remain visible underneath. The awning visually connects those window sections without hiding their individual divisions.

The business name can sit on the awning or above it

The Ulta name appears on the valance, the front-facing fabric edge. The larger sloping surface remains plain orange. That separates the area carrying the name from the broad area carrying the color.

The Panera photograph below shows another arrangement. Solid green awnings sit below a separate building sign. The business name stays on the wall, and the awnings repeat a color already present around the entrance.

A storefront awning does not always need its own lettering. A plain fabric cover can repeat a color from the facade while leaving the business name to separate signage.

Separate awnings follow the storefront's individual bays

At Panera Bread in Pasadena, the green covers sit over separate areas of glazing. The orange wall and taller green entrance surround remain visible between and above them.

The awnings repeat the same color and sloping form, but they do not conceal the building's changes in height or direction. The photograph shows a corner between two window sections and a distinct entrance on the right. Separate covers allow those parts of the facade to remain visually distinct.

That gives the storefront a different appearance from Ulta's continuous band. These are two ways to relate fabric awnings to the openings already present in a building.

An awning looks different from the side

The Panera photograph also makes the awnings' depth visible. The sloped faces project out over the glass, and the side profiles can be seen where the building turns. A straight-on elevation drawing would show less of that depth.

Universal's fixed fabric awnings include sloped, box, shed, rounded and custom profiles. A sloped cover presents an angled fabric surface; a box profile gives the awning a different outline. The front edge, sides and slope all contribute to the finished shape.

The design has to work with the building

Appearance is one part of the work. The frame and attachments still need to suit the wall, and the placement must account for doors, signs, lighting and access. Coverage also depends on projection, orientation and sun exposure.

Universal Awning designs, fabricates and installs commercial awnings throughout Southern California. For retail and shopping-center projects, the team works with architects, general contractors, property teams and retailers to coordinate the design with the site and approved brand requirements.