It is called awning, canvas cover, or also media agua in Filipino Spanish, a surface in the form of a membrane made of canvas or strong fabric that is placed to provide shade, protect from the elements, close a space, protect things from the rain, etc. Nowadays, awnings are no longer an element that was used exclusively to protect from the sun and rain, but have become an element of decoration, complement or highlighting the image of the home or sector where it is placed.[1]​.

Regarding the means of transport, on a boat it is called an awning.[2] Canvas covers are also used in many cars, called sail cars") or tartans, to prevent rain, sun or bad weather from harming the one they carry (or the passengers in the case of a tartan).

The awning is created by the human need to protect themselves from the sun in places where, due to their natural means, it was not possible to take shelter in the shade. It was in Roman times where textile architecture related to sun protection appeared most strongly. The Colosseum is an amphitheater built in the century AD. C. in the city of Rome and on its stands there was a type of folding awning called a velarium (in Latin and a term also used in Spanish, velarium).[3]​.