Most commercial awnings today are made with a welded aluminum frame which is then covered with material (canvas, vinyl, etc.). This gives you a large range of frame styles to choose from. The frame is welded together with aluminum tubing and then in most cases covered with a material. The most common ways to cover the frame with the material is a staple in the system or a tie system. These "staple in systems" produce a very tight fit over the awning frame. We make awning frames from steel if you request. Steel will sometimes be the preferred material when a painted framework is desired. We also can recover existing framing made from aluminum or steel with new material to freshen your existing awning and make your current investment stretch.