Those of us living in the continental United States will experience at least a few days of hot, uncomfortable and humid summers. Only those lucky enough to live in Alaska, or in the sunny, mild state of Hawaii, are able to avoid the extreme swing in temperature.

For the duration of the most sweltering days, many will find it impossible to spend time on the patio or in the backyard for any appreciable time. Children may be in danger of heatstroke. Those seeking to exercise in the open air may find it hard to stay out for long. And people who have energetic and active pets can’t take the pets for much time.

Horticultural hobbyists may find that the intense rays of the sun kills off their beautiful flowers and plants. Although plants require light to grow, they will wilt when exposed to temperatures that are too high. Sometimes the wilting is just a short-term phenomenon as the plant bounces back during the evening when it gets cooler. Other times the wilting and damage is irreversible.

Most people conceive of an awning for home as a metal frame holding open a stretched shade fabric. Some awnings have fixed frames and others are retractable. Usually they are placed over a window or door to shade not only against incoming sun, but also the area immediately adjacent. Modern variants may have remote controls that allow opening and closing with needing to adjust anything manually.

Despite the conveniences offered, many homeowners are reluctant to install traditional awnings due to the costs. The structure itself is quite expensive, and the installation even more so given the complexity and size of the product. A very modest home awning can cost thousands of dollars. Worse still, the shade fabric will require regular cleaning as it’s a repository for microorganisms and dirt. This is complicated by the inaccessibility of the top of the fabric.

Another problem is the dilemma faced by a homeowner when he or she needs to entertain children or guests somewhere further from the immediate vicinity of a wall, for example at the barbeque grill, near the pool, or in the middle of the lawn. The fixed outdoor shades can’t be moved around in any way.