OhOh OH, I saw a great awning made from a shutter run horizionally across the top of the window on hinges. It looked great. Wish I could figure out where I saw that, musta been a magazine..
The shutter was flush with the window on top and then out sorta like / that. Good luck, I'm always finding shutters at yard sales or the TS.

I made one a while back. Was lucky to find outdoor fabric for awning and swing on sale. I made a simple frame out of 1x2 pvc board. Can't get anymore of it.... Then I measured,cut and attached fabric, screwed to the top of window. Going to see if I can get pictures. Just stapled it on and trimmed with scissors. Also srayed water repellent, found in sporting goods at Wally.{{gwi:170233}}{{gwi:170234}}

WOW
Thank you! That looks great, but how did you attach it to the window frame?

Here's the link to the shutter awning I was talking about. I found it here! On GJ of course..lol

http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/junk/msg1215490719082.html

I thought it was Susierose who make the shutter awning.
I have the frame part of a small pallet that something was delivered on to the building I manage. Something like that could be covered with fabric (maybe old umbrella fabric) and attached to the window frame with brackets.
Weave, I think a half umbrella is a very creative idea. The thing I cant figure out is how to make it sturdy and then how to attach it to the house in a way that stuff doesn't fall behind it. Reusing the fabric would be good tho since sun proof fabric is espensive. I saw a skirt made out of old umbrella fabric somewhere on the web.
Your idea reminds me of my idea to use an old light weight nylon tent (with aluminum frame) hanging upside down to catch paint chips when we scrape our upstairs front porch. Can't quite figure out how to do that either, lol.
Good luck and post a pic if you do make an awning!
kathy

I think your umbrella idea is 'smashing'!!!! They make a plastic moulding that encases plastic lattice that might could be heated up to form a firm edge to hold the half umbrella to the window. It is at Lowes and Home Depot where they sell lattice. After the plastic brace is heated and bent then you could Silicone II the umbrella in the track and then add screws to give it more structural integrity. I would cover the umbrella with another layer of exterior Sunbrella fabric because the umbrellas fabric although waterproof would not last 24/7/365. My main concern is that gusts of wind will be putting preasure on this so you may want to leave an air space between the house and the umbrella frame.

I'm including a couple of my ideas that we used here at my house.

This is an old shutter and exterior gate hinges.

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This was constructed of scrap wood and exterior fabric (I did not use Sunbrella Fabric because this was going to be in the shade). I had some upholstry nail strips left over from a project so I used these on these to add some additional style. I covered the interior with faux leather. The only pattern I had was 'desire'. LOL
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Oh Susie,
I just love your awning/shutter idea. Perfectly charming porch and potting shed. Everytime I hear the work "awning" I think of your shutter. LOL

Weave, I was lucky and had a good fit. The frame over the window is wood, so I screwed the awning above the window. Like the shutters too, but I needed something to keep the rain from drumming the air conditioner.