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What's up with all the awnings in Pittsburgh? So many people have them in neighborhoods like Plum, Monroeville, and Penn Hills. Is it some sort if secret Italian code or something that I'm unaware of...because I'm not Italian? No, seriously......Doesn't it seem painfully "60's" to have awnings on all of your windows?
Plus the underside of awnings are a haven for spiders. Big, fat ones.
I've wondered this about Pittsburgh forever! haha. There are so many houses with those ugly old awnings and vinyl siding too! The awnings make me think that nobody wants any sun light getting into their house. Like they'll turn to stone if they get a little vitamin D in their system.
The thing is, so many of the old houses with awnings and vinyl siding, especially in Lawrenceville, Bloomfield, and the Southside, could be so beautiful if the owners just ditched the awnings and siding and had the original brick cleaned up. Often, the siding/awnings is convering up some ornate stonework around a window or door. It amazes me. I assume that some incredibly talented awning salesman must have traveled to Pittsburgh in the 70's and convinced everyone this was a good idea. Like that Simpsons episode when the guy sells Springfield a monorail, then ditches town just before everyone realizes the monorail sucks. Except most people haven't figured out that the awnings suck yet.
I detest the vinyl siding and the aluminum awnings. I live in the Southside Flats. I agree that so many of the homes, and therefore the neighborhood as a whole, would be so much more attractive if people ripped off the siding and fixed up the brick. It's a travesty to do such things to gorgeous Victorian architecture.
I assume that some incredibly talented awning salesman must have traveled to Pittsburgh in the 70's and convinced everyone this was a good idea.
I've talked to some people about this sort of thing, and that is apparently exactly what happened: salesmen walked these neighborhoods and sold people on these inexpensive "modernizing" treatments.
I think it was more like the 60's or 50's when the awnings were installed. In addition to the local Pgh scene, I see a lot of them in the WV panhandle in the steel mill towns .
Things change, at that time it was what consumers wanted. Much like in the late 60's when everyone installed wood panelling. Likewise, how many newer homes do you see with wallpaper? Back in the day, it was the cat's meow. (damn, I'm old)
Concrete counter tops were popular for about 3 months in the 90's, now it's granite. Who knows, maybe marlite will come back.
I've still got my leisure suit in mothballs. Boogie on.
I think it was more like the 60's or 50's when the awnings were installed. In addition to the local Pgh scene, I see a lot of them in the WV panhandle in the steel mill towns .
Things change, at that time it was what consumers wanted. Much like in the late 60's when everyone installed wood panelling. Likewise, how many newer homes do you see with wallpaper? Back in the day, it was the cat's meow. (damn, I'm old)
Concrete counter tops were popular for about 3 months in the 90's, now it's granite. Who knows, maybe marlite will come back.
I've still got my leisure suit in mothballs. Boogie on.
Yep, they're pretty much an era-specific thing. Go up to Parma near Cleveland or Cheektowaga near Buffalo and you'll see the same thing.
Although, I can't say I've noticed too many pink plastic flamingos and "Mary on The Half-Shells" in Pittsburgh.
I think it was more like the 60's or 50's when the awnings were installed. In addition to the local Pgh scene, I see a lot of them in the WV panhandle in the steel mill towns .
Things change, at that time it was what consumers wanted. Much like in the late 60's when everyone installed wood panelling. Likewise, how many newer homes do you see with wallpaper? Back in the day, it was the cat's meow. (damn, I'm old)
Concrete counter tops were popular for about 3 months in the 90's, now it's granite. Who knows, maybe marlite will come back.
I've still got my leisure suit in mothballs. Boogie on.
I'm old too. I remember awnings in the 50s/60s in Beaver County.
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