Standing-seam awnings
Sloped metal panels with defined seams for a durable, familiar roof-like appearance over windows and doors.
Metal Awnings
Architectural metal awnings for windows, doors, and storefronts.
Universal Awning fabricates and installs rigid metal awnings for commercial facades and residential properties. The projection, panel profile, frame, finish, and attachment are designed around the building rather than adapted from a standard size.
Peter's LandingRepeated architectural metal awnings
MaterialsAluminum, steel, standing-seam panels, and project-specific infill
PlacementStorefront windows, doors, tenant bays, offices, and residential facades
Design factorsProjection, slope, drainage, attachment, finish, and facade rhythm
Planning the system
Metal awnings give the facade a permanent architectural element
Unlike fabric, a rigid metal awning keeps the same material appearance year-round and can be detailed as part of the building. It may use a standing-seam skin, flat or formed panels, open slats, or another project-specific infill over a fabricated frame. Our metal vs. fabric commercial awning guide compares the two options in more detail.
The awning still has to do practical work. We review the window or door below, sun direction, projection, drainage, signage, mounting surface, and the way several awnings align across the facade before finalizing the structure.
Shade windows and doorsProject over openings to reduce direct exposure and provide a consistent architectural line.
Repeat across tenant baysUse a coordinated profile and spacing across retail, office, or mixed-use facades.
Add a permanent finishChoose metal when the project calls for a rigid surface and a low-change appearance.
Work with modern or traditional buildingsAdjust slope, panel type, frame depth, and finish to suit the architecture.
Available configurations
Which metal awning profile fits your building?
Metal awnings can be simple or highly detailed. The appropriate system depends on the facade, the required projection, panel direction, drainage, and the intended architectural effect.
Explore all shade systemsFlat-panel metal awnings
A clean rigid surface for contemporary storefronts, offices, and mixed-use properties.
Open-slat awnings
Metal frames with spaced members that provide partial shade and a lighter visual profile.
Custom infill and finishes
Project-specific frames can coordinate with wood-look panels, perforated elements, or other approved facade materials.
Project planning
A row of awnings should read as one facade decision
When several awnings repeat across a building, the top line, projection, spacing, panel direction, and support details should be coordinated. Small inconsistencies become obvious across a long storefront elevation.
Attachment surfaceConfirm wall construction, connection points, waterproofing, and existing facade conditions.
Projection and clearanceCoordinate doors, windows, signs, lights, sidewalks, balconies, and service access.
Panel and runoffSet the slope, seam direction, edges, gutters if needed, and where water will discharge.
Finish consistencyConfirm metal, color, sheen, visible welds, hardware, and repeated details.
Common applications
Where are custom metal awnings used?
Metal awnings suit properties that need permanent facade shade and a material that reads as part of the architecture.
Retail and mixed-use buildings
Repeated tenant bays, storefront windows, service doors, and pedestrian-facing facades.
Retail projectsOffices and commercial properties
Window lines, lobby doors, employee entrances, and renovated building exteriors.
Office projectsIndustrial and service properties
Entrances, windows, work areas, and durable exterior upgrades.
Industrial projectsResidential architecture
Windows, doors, patios, and modern exterior details where rigid shade is preferred.
Residential projectsSelected work
Metal awnings as part of the building design
These projects show a repeated wood-look infill treatment and a dark open-metal frame, both mounted directly to commercial facades.
Homes and businesses
Do you make metal awnings for homes as well as businesses?
Yes. We make and install rigid metal awnings for commercial buildings and for homes. At a home, we use them over windows, doors, patios, and other exterior details, and design them around the house, not from a standard size. The residential awnings and shade page covers window awnings and the other shade we build for homes.
Storefront or house, we start with the same things: the address, photos of the front of the building, rough opening sizes, and how far out you want the awning to reach. Call (818) 882-0027, Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM, for a free estimate.
Metal awning pages by area: Los Angeles, Orange County, Ventura County, and San Diego.
Project process
From facade review to metal awning installation
The frame, skin, supports, drainage, and finish are coordinated before metal is cut and fabricated.
Survey the facade
Measure each opening and document the wall, clearances, signs, lights, utilities, drainage, and access.
Develop the awning profile
Set the projection, slope, frame, panels or slats, supports, edge treatment, and finish.
Review drawings and connections
Confirm repeated dimensions, attachment details, material samples, and installation requirements.
Fabricate and install
Build the approved metal awnings and coordinate lifting, staging, attachment, and field alignment.
Based in Reseda
Who builds custom metal awnings in Los Angeles?
Universal Awning & Canopy is based at 7053 Canby Ave in Reseda, inside the City of Los Angeles. We hold an LA fabrication license, and our own team installs.
Call us Mon–Fri 8–5 at (818) 882-0027, or send photos and rough dimensions for a free estimate. Projects inside the city have their own page: Los Angeles metal awnings.
Metal awnings are also specified for restaurants and commercial properties. For deeper coverage over an entrance or walkway, see metal canopies.
Metal Awnings questions
Frequently asked questions
How much does a custom metal awning cost?
A custom metal awning from Universal Awning is priced per building, since each one is designed to the opening rather than cut from a standard size. Aluminum or steel, the panel type and the finish shape the price, along with the projection, the frame and supports, drainage and how many awnings repeat across the facade. Send photos and rough dimensions through the quote form or call (818) 882-0027 for a free estimate. What you get back is a fast, detailed proposal with 3D renderings and a cost breakdown for your building.
Is aluminum or steel better for a metal awning?
It depends on the design and exposure. Universal Awning builds metal awnings in both aluminum and steel and picks between them along with the panel type: standing seam, flat panels, open slats or custom infill. Metal, color, sheen and hardware are confirmed with samples before fabrication, so you see the finish first.
Do you make metal awnings for homes?
Yes. Universal Awning fabricates and installs rigid metal awnings for residential properties as well as commercial facades. On a home they go over windows, doors, patios and modern exterior details where rigid shade is preferred, and the slope, panel type, frame depth and finish are set to suit the architecture.
What is the difference between a metal awning and a metal canopy?
A Universal Awning metal awning is usually a smaller projection mounted on the facade over a window, door or storefront. A metal canopy usually gives deeper coverage over an entrance, walkway, loading area or drop off area, and it can give an entrance more presence along with weather coverage. For deeper coverage, see our metal canopies page.
Can several metal awnings line up across one building?
Yes. When several Universal Awning metal awnings repeat across tenant bays or window groups, we coordinate the top line, projection, spacing, panel direction and support details, because small differences stand out along a long storefront. The metal, color, sheen, visible welds and hardware are confirmed so every awning matches.
How do metal awnings handle rain runoff?
On every Universal Awning metal awning we set the slope, seam direction, edges, gutters if needed and the point where water discharges, so runoff does not cause a problem below. Drainage is reviewed along with the window or door underneath, sun direction, projection, signs and the mounting surface.
Request a custom metal awning estimate
Send photographs of the building, approximate opening sizes and projection, and any available elevations or finish direction. We will review the facade and discuss an appropriate metal awning profile. Planning a project in Los Angeles? See our Los Angeles metal awnings. Planning a San Diego project? See our custom metal awnings in San Diego.