Awnings Dallas Fort Worth make summer livable again. Shade that actually cools the patio, calmer light through your windows, fewer glare fights at dinner—little things that feel big when the Texas sun clocks in. At Dallas Pergola Company, we build handsome, hard-wearing aluminum awnings and character-rich wood awnings for homes across DFW. Want quiet, fixed shade? Done. Prefer a sleek, retractable profile over your sliders? Also done. Honestly, once you feel that temperature drop under a well-built cover, you’ll wonder why you waited.
Contents
- 1 What counts as an awning around here?
- 2 Aluminum vs. Wood: two solid paths to shade
- 3 Designs that work in DFW weather
- 4 How we build: cleaner details, longer life
- 5 Material cheat sheet (fast glance)
- 6 Retractable awnings: shade when you want it, sky when you don’t
- 7 Wood awnings that actually belong on your home
- 8 Aluminum awnings with a modern, low-maintenance edge
- 9 DFW-specific smarts: sun angles, storms, and HOA calm
- 10 Little features that change everything
- 11 Our process: straightforward, neighborly, on schedule
- 12 Common questions we hear (and clear answers)
- 13 A quick way to think about your choice
- 14 Ready to sketch your awning?
What counts as an awning around here?
People say “awning,” “patio cover,” or “porch cover” interchangeably. Let me explain. An awning usually projects from the house to cover a door, window, or sitting area. It can be fixed or retractable. A patio cover often spans a larger footprint with posts and beams. We design both, plus hybrids—think wood beams anchored to the house with an aluminum roof skin for extra weather protection. You get the look you love with the performance you need.
You know what? The best solution is the one that fits your light, wind, and space—not a catalog page.
Aluminum vs. Wood: two solid paths to shade
Aluminum awnings Dallas Fort Worth homeowners choose for durability: powder-coated finishes, low upkeep, excellent hail and UV resistance, and clean modern lines. They’re great when you want crisp trim, minimal maintenance, or a color-matched fascia. Add insulated roof panels if you want a quieter cover during rain.
Wood awnings bring warmth and presence—beautiful cedar grain, layered shadows, the “this belongs here” feeling on a Texas brick home. With proper flashing and stain, wood ages gracefully. Choose open lattice (breezier, softer light) or a solid roof (bolder shade and better rain control). Mild contradiction: wood needs care; that’s true. But when sealed right and detailed correctly, the upkeep is measured in seasons, not Saturdays.
Designs that work in DFW weather
Our sun is intense, particularly on west and southwest exposures. We angle and size awnings so the late-day glare stays outside while winter light can still sneak under for warmth. Wind matters too—storms roll fast across the Metroplex, so we use proper uplift connections, beefy posts, and ledger flashing you don’t have to babysit. Hail? Aluminum skins and insulated panels take the hit far better than thin DIY kits.
Popular formats
- Fixed aluminum awnings over doors and windows for glare control and lower indoor temps.
- Solid-roof patio awnings (aluminum or wood with metal skin) for all-weather grilling and game-day comfort.
- Lattice wood awnings that cut sun by roughly 40–60 while keeping air movement.
- Retractable awnings with quiet motors and wind sensors for flexible shade on demand.
How we build: cleaner details, longer life
Here’s the thing: an awning’s beauty is obvious; its longevity hides in the details. We tie into structure—rafters or blocking—so the system feels planted. We flash against water before we celebrate color choices. And we pour footings sized for your soil and span, not a one-size tube hoping for the best.
- Structure Ledger attachments with through-bolts (not lag screws into mystery sheathing), concealed brackets, and proper rafter engagement.
- Water management Kick-out flashings, sealed penetrations, and integrated gutters that don’t splash your threshold.
- Footings & posts Steel-anchored posts, deep piers where wind exposure calls for it, and corrosion-resistant hardware.
- Finish systems Powder-coated aluminum kits or stained/sealed cedar—DFW-friendly colors that respect brick and stone palettes.
Material cheat sheet (fast glance)
| Material | Maintenance | Typical Lifespan |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminum (powder-coated; optional insulated panels) | Occasional rinse; hardware check annually | 20+ years with minimal care |
| Cedar wood (lattice or solid with metal roof) | Re-seal/stain every 2–4 years depending on exposure | 15–25 years with routine care |
| Retractable fabric (acrylic, solution-dyed) | Brush debris; replace fabric as it ages | 10–15 years for fabric; hardware longer |
Retractable awnings: shade when you want it, sky when you don’t
Game starts at 3, storm rolls in at 5—no problem. Retractable awnings let you chase comfort without committing to permanent shade all day. We install quiet motors with wall switches or app control. Wind sensors can auto-retract when gusts spike, which feels a bit like the awning is looking out for you (because it is). Colors range from classic neutrals to playful stripes that nod to historic Texas porches.
Wood awnings that actually belong on your home
DFW neighborhoods have character—M Streets bungalows, Mid-Cities ranch homes, new builds out in Prosper and Melissa. A wood awning can tie everything together: scaled beams, a fascia that aligns with your window trim, and a stain that respects your brick. We like to add a subtle pitch so rain sheds cleanly without looking steep. The goal is a piece that looks original, not an afterthought.
Aluminum awnings with a modern, low-maintenance edge
If your style leans crisp—smooth stucco, black window frames, straight-line landscaping—an aluminum awning keeps the vibe. Powder coat finishes stay sharp, and insulated panels cut radiant heat and rain noise. We can integrate LED downlights, concealed gutters, and posts that visually disappear. It’s the tidy look that still stands up to the elements.
DFW-specific smarts: sun angles, storms, and HOA calm
The late-day sun from Arlington to Frisco can be ruthless. We size projections to block that glare while leaving morning light. Storm season? Hardware matters: stainless fasteners, structural brackets, and proper uplift ties keep your awning where it belongs. We also help with HOA packages—dimensioned drawings, color samples, and material specs that answer questions before they’re asked.
- Cities we serve daily Dallas, Fort Worth, Plano, Frisco, McKinney, Allen, Grapevine, Southlake, Arlington, Mansfield, and more.
- Exposure tips West patios favor deeper projections; south patios like a touch more pitch and a gutter you’ll actually use.
Little features that change everything
Small upgrades feel outsized in Texas weather. Consider a quiet gutter that doesn’t splash your doorway. Or dimmable LEDs for dinner on the patio without the moth convention. For solid roofs, insulated panels reduce heat transfer; for lattice, angled slats steer light like Venetian blinds—softening but not smothering daylight.
- Lighting Warm LEDs tucked into beams—cozy, not clinical.
- Fans A gentle breeze makes July evenings usable again.
- Gutters Clean edges with downspouts that don’t fight your landscaping.
- Sensors Wind and rain automation for retractables—set it and forget it.
Our process: straightforward, neighborly, on schedule
We keep it simple. A short call to learn your goals. A site visit to measure, check structure, and sketch options. A clear proposal—scope, materials, timeline—no mystery fees. Then clean install days with respectful crews and tidy job sites. If permits are needed, we coordinate. If your HOA wants a drawing at 1/4” scale, we’ve got it.
- Discovery Talk through shade goals, style, budget, and any HOA requirements.
- Design Layouts that solve sun, wind, and water with the look you want.
- Build Skilled carpentry or aluminum fabrication, tight flashing, real hardware.
- Finish Stain and seal for wood; powder coat and touch-ups for aluminum; walkthrough to fine-tune.
Common questions we hear (and clear answers)
Will a solid awning make my living room darker? Maybe a bit, but careful projection and height keep interior spaces bright while controlling glare. We can also target windows with smaller awnings to reduce heat without dimming the whole room.
Do aluminum awnings look “too modern” on a brick home? Not when sized and trimmed well. Color matching fascia and posts to existing trim creates a unified look. Or pair aluminum roof panels with wood posts for the best of both worlds.
How about hail? DFW gets its share. Insulated aluminum panels and quality skins shrug off typical hail better than thin DIY solutions. Wood structures with metal roofing also hold up well when properly fastened.
A quick way to think about your choice
If you want near-zero maintenance and a crisp profile, aluminum will make you smile every summer. If you crave texture and warmth, wood delivers that porch-sit feeling instantly. And if you want flexible shade, a motorized retractable gives you blue sky at breakfast and shade by kickoff. Either way, the goal is the same: a cooler, calmer patio that invites you outside more often.
Ready to sketch your awning?
Let’s pull up your patio photo, mark sun angles, and size something that actually works for your life. We keep it friendly, fast, and precise—and we clean up when we’re done. If you’re anywhere in the Dallas–Fort Worth area, we’d love to help you create shade you’ll brag about.
Request a Free Quote or call 214-624-7083. We’ll bring samples, real timelines, and straightforward pricing—and yes, we’ll sit under the awning with you to check the light.