Homeowners routinely spend thousands of dollars to improve the aesthetics of their homes. This can include everything from gazebos to fountains to expensive stone facings. For some reason, many homeowners tend to overlook how much outdoor awnings and shades can add to their homes. In fact, outdoor blinds and awnings are not only aesthetically pleasing, but can supply enough shade to help homeowners save considerably on air conditioning costs. Some of the earliest awnings date back to the Colosseum in Ancient Rome, and were used to protect the Roman leaders from the sun. These Ancient Roman awnings were called velarium,…