Custom Canvas and Fabric Awnings for Chicagoland Homes

The classic American awning, custom-built for your home. Straight style awnings, traditional canvas awnings, and custom fabric structures designed, manufactured, installed, and serviced by Chesterfield Awning. Hand-cut, hand-sewn, and hand-finished in South Holland for homes across Chicagoland and the greater Midwest since 1958.

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The Awning That Started It All

Canvas and fabric awnings are the original American awning. Hung over storefronts on Main Street a century ago. Wrapped around home windows and doors in the 1950s and 60s. Still one of the most popular ways to add color, character, and shade to a home today. The style has evolved, the fabrics have gotten dramatically better, and the frames are now stronger metal instead of hand-shaped wood. But the essential product is the same: a fabric awning custom-cut, custom-sewn, and custom-installed for your specific home.

At Chesterfield, canvas and fabric awnings are the product we’ve been making the longest. Since 1958, and through the acquired heritage of Chicago awning companies dating back to the 1890s, we’ve been cutting fabric, sewing seams, building frames, and installing the finished awning on homes across Chicagoland and the Midwest. It’s the work our team does best.

Types of Canvas and Fabric Awnings We Build

The category is broader than most homeowners realize. Here are the main types of canvas and fabric awnings we design and build for homes across Chicagoland and the Midwest.

Straight Style Awnings

Metal frames built in our shop, fabric stretched tight over the frame, and installed as a permanent feature. Straight style awnings hold their shape year-round, look crisp and structured, and can be built in almost any style: dome, quarter-barrel, straight-slope, concave, convex, or fully custom. The go-to choice for homeowners who want a permanent architectural fabric awning.

Traditional Canvas Awnings

The classic American awning. Bent rod frames, fabric hung softly over the frame, often with the ability to be raised and lowered by hand. Softer look than straight style awnings. Especially well-suited to traditional homes, historic properties, and Victorian architecture. The style your grandparents' house probably had, updated with modern fabrics that last far longer than the originals ever did.

Window Awnings

Custom-fit fabric awnings sized for individual windows. Ideal for shading south-facing and west-facing windows, protecting sills from weather, and adding architectural detail. Window awnings can be installed as a single unit or as a coordinated set across multiple windows on the same elevation.

Door and Entryway Awnings

Fabric awnings sized for front doors, side entries, and back doors. Keep rain off you and your guests as you unlock the door. Protect the entryway floor from weather. Add a finished, welcoming architectural detail to your entrance.

Patio and Deck Awnings

Larger fabric awnings designed to cover patios, decks, or specific outdoor gathering areas. Available in straight style or traditional styles depending on the look you want and how permanent you want the installation.

Custom Shapes and Configurations

If you have a specific vision that doesn't fit into any standard category, we build custom. Custom-shaped frames, custom fabric layouts, custom color combinations. Fabric awnings are one of the most flexible categories we work in.

Fabrics, Colors, and Trim Options

The design decisions are where fabric awnings get fun. Chesterfield offers deep options across every design dimension.

Over 30 solid color options in premium awning-grade fabrics
Classic awning stripes, modern stripes, tweeds, and textured weaves
Custom-printed patterns and full-color graphics for homeowners who want something specific
Solution-dyed acrylic fabrics rated for UV resistance and color fastness
Vinyl-coated polyester options for higher water resistance
15 distinct trim and valance styles including straight, scalloped, pointed, wave, and custom cuts
Contrasting or matching binding and edge finishes
Coordinated framing colors matched to your home’s exterior

We bring sample books to every consultation so you can see and feel the fabrics in the light of your own home. Colors and patterns look different against different siding, brick, and stone. Seeing them in person against your home makes the decision easier.

Storefront Awnings for Small Businesses and Local Retail

Canvas and fabric awnings are the classic commercial storefront awning. Restaurants, cafes, boutiques, salons, and neighborhood retail across Chicagoland use them to brand their storefronts and stand out on the block, with business names, logos, and phone numbers sewn or printed directly onto the fabric. Same team, same facility, same sewing floor as our residential work.

How the Process Works

In-Home Consultation. We come to you with fabric sample books, trim samples, and color options, measure your windows and doors, and talk through style options.
Fabric and Style Selection. You pick fabric colors and patterns, trim styles, and the awning shape. We draft the specifications back at our facility.
Frame Fabrication. Our metalwork team builds custom frames sized for your project, and our production team develops cutting patterns from your measurements.
Sewing and Finishing. Our sewing team cuts to pattern, stitches the panels, and finishes the trim and valance. Each awning is hand-finished and inspected before it leaves the shop.
Professional Installation. Our installers mount the awning, adjust the tension and fit, and walk you through operation if you’ve chosen a raisable style.
Long-Term Care. Cleaning, re-tensioning, and seasonal storage for as long as you own the awning. When fabric reaches end of life or you want a new color, we quote new fabric on your existing frame as a product update.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do fabric awnings last?

The frame typically lasts as long as your home. The fabric commonly lasts 10 to 15 years before it starts to fade or wear. When the fabric reaches end of life, we can quote a new fabric on your existing frame as a product update, at a fraction of the cost of a new awning. That’s one of the reasons fabric awnings are such a strong long-term investment.

Can I get my logo or family name on a fabric awning?

Yes. We offer custom sewn appliqué lettering, printed graphics, and hand-painted work on fabric awnings. Family monograms, addresses, custom artwork, or business branding can all be integrated into the awning. This is more common for commercial awnings but a growing number of residential customers are asking for personalized touches on their home awnings too.

Are fabric awnings good for Chicago weather?

Yes, when the right fabric is chosen. Modern awning-grade fabrics are treated for UV resistance, water repellency, and mildew resistance, and they’re built to handle Chicago’s temperature swings. Welded frame awnings stay up year-round. Traditional canvas styles can be raised and lowered seasonally if you prefer to protect the fabric during winter. We help you choose the right approach for your home.

Will the color fade?

Solution-dyed acrylic fabrics resist fading remarkably well and typically hold their color for a decade or more. Some minor color shift is normal over the fabric’s lifetime, but modern awning fabrics are dramatically more colorfast than the fabrics that were available even 20 years ago.

Can fabric awnings be raised and lowered?

Traditional canvas styles are designed to be raised and lowered by hand. Welded frame awnings stay in place year-round. The distinction matters when you’re deciding between the two styles. Homeowners who want flexibility or want to protect the fabric during winter often choose traditional canvas. Homeowners who want low-maintenance permanence often choose welded frame.

Do fabric awnings require maintenance?

Modest maintenance. Rinsing with a garden hose a few times a year removes most dust and debris. Every so often, a professional cleaning can restore color and remove any accumulated staining. Traditional canvas styles that come down for winter also get inspected and cleaned during storage. Compared to painted wood shutters or other exterior features, fabric awnings are pretty low-maintenance.

How long does a fabric awning project take?

Total project time from consultation to installation typically runs four to eight weeks. Fabric selection and frame fabrication move quickly. The sewing and finishing take longer for custom designs. Installation is usually completed in a single day per awning.

Can I replace the fabric on an existing awning?

In most cases, yes. If the frame is still in good condition, we can custom-cut and sew new fabric to fit and install it on your existing frame. This is one of the most cost-effective ways to refresh an aging awning and extends the total useful life of the structure significantly. Applies to awnings we originally built as well as awnings originally built by other companies. If you’re changing colors rather than replacing worn fabric, we handle that the same way – it’s a product update quoted based on your fabric and trim selections.

How do I choose between straight style and traditional canvas

Straight style if you want a crisp, structured look that stays up year-round with minimal maintenance. Traditional canvas if you want a softer look, the ability to raise and lower by hand, and the classic style that suits historic or traditional homes. Your home’s architecture is usually the deciding factor, and we walk through both options during your consultation.

Do I need a permit for a fabric awning?

In many cases, no. Fabric awnings are often exempt from municipal permit requirements because they aren’t heavy permanent construction. When permits are required, we manage the municipal process for you. If your HOA or condo board requires approval, we prepare all the documentation your architectural review board needs and support you through the submission.

Ready to Add Some Character to Your Home?

Tell us about your home, your style, and what you’re picturing. We’ll come to you with fabric samples, walk through the options, and design an awning that looks like it was made for your house. Because it was.

Trusted Across Chicagoland Since 1958

From the homeowners who’ve counted on us for generations to the businesses whose storefronts we’ve helped build, our customers keep coming back.

				Called them today to get a quote to replace my fabric on my motorized awning as the place I bought from years ago went out of business talked to Santiago velasco he is the best got to work on sending someone out asap ❤️
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cadibill
7/09/2026
				I called Chesterfield awnings based on a recommendation from another awning company. I was immediately connected to Santiago Velasco. He was courteous and very helpful. It was so easy to talk to him and he quickly arranged for a salesman close to my area to contact me. I am trying to replace or rehung my current awning so I have spoken to quite a few companies and not all my experiences have been good. So it was a breath of fresh air speaking with Santiago. I hope I have the same experience with the salesman.
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Regina W.
7/08/2026
				I am so happy to update this review and share my success story. Chesterfield worked with us and delivered the awning of our dreams. Special Thanks to Juan, Matt, and the team for helping us through some miscommunications and we look forward to working with you again very soon. Couldn’t be happier with how it turned out!
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Chris H.
10/13/2025
				Chesterfield Awning is a great company! For example, today, two technicians, Nick and Hugo, came to my home to remove an existing awning in anticipation of installing a new one. Not only were they skilled and knowledgeable, but also very willing to answer any questions that I had, in a kindly manner. All of this work was arranged by their supervisor, Santiago, who is a great gentleman most willing to please the customer. As the customer, this is so important to me, because nowadays this is not always the case when you deal with different companies. Many Thanks to Chesterfield Awning!!!!!
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April R.
1/29/2025
				My roll-down awning is amazing! I am having trouble with the structure it is tethered to. Santiago was a great help in guiding me to get additional parts needed to solve the immediate problem.
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Sue B.
9/17/2024
				Great quality. Great experience from start to finish. Most importantly, excellent customer service. Ordered a replacement custom awning for our dad’s home. He has been using Chesterfield Awning since 2005. Our consultant Ed did an amazing job. Great customer service from our initial meeting through installation. You won’t be disappointed. Would highly recommend as the new custom awning turned out perfect.
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Jo Z.
9/11/2024
				Had the most pleasant experience with Santiago this morning. He was very friendly and assisted and making an appointment for someone to come out and give me a free estimate. I sincerely hope that whoever comes out for the estimate is as courteous and kind and forthcoming as Santiago.
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S W.
7/22/2024
				Jose is an expert and such and such a pleasure to work with. He knows his business!! Thank you Jose!!!
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Mary B.
7/26/2022
				Chesterfield Awning just beautiful & wonderful work! I’ve had them at my house for 25 years. Thank you Jose & Diego!!The Doyle’s
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Meredith D.
7/21/2022
				My husband and I would like to share our great experience with Chesterfield Awning. It was a smooth and positive experience from start to finish!! It was received in the time frame that we were told by, Ed, the sales consultant and then to the finished product. The installation was done by, Jose’, very remarkable young man who was very professional, cordial, well mannered and We just can’t praise this young man enough for his ability to interact with us elderly folks!!!! The quality of the motorized awning is great and very attractive!! What we are saying is…..Job Well Done my friends!!!!
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Debbie R.
7/14/2022
				Chesterfield Awning is a top notch awesome company. We had a Sunesta rollout shade installed over our patio a few weeks ago. We are so happy with our purchase from Chesterfield. Everything was perfect from the ordering all the way down to the installation. Ed, our sales consultant, was wonderful. He was friendly, professional, knowledgeable, and a pleasure to work with. The installers are top notch; professional, clean, friendly, and conscientious. The office staff is friendly and a pleasure to deal with. We are so happy we chose Chesterfield Awning, and this is a clear testimonial for Chesterfield being in business for so long. Great company and reasonable prices.
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N
6/28/2022
				To the Chesterfield Awning Company, I am extremely grateful and very pleased with the results of my professionally installed awnings. They gave much class and rich style to my home. The awnings brought out my block neighbors as they viewed and complimented the results of the awning. The installer was very nice and professional mannered with with his work ethics and cleans up professionally behind himself. I came outside to see the finished results and was in tears of seeing the beautiful results. Thank you Chesterfield Awning for creating my vision and making my vision come to life.
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Chancery H.
6/20/2022

The Chesterfield Maintenance Program

The Maintenance Program bundles cleaning, seasonal storage, priority repair scheduling, and inspections into one relationship. For homeowners protecting an investment and property managers coordinating across sites, it’s the smart way to keep every awning sharp without the coordination burden.