Awning Window Parts
Unique DesignStart your home remodeling project today by filling out the form or calling us at (301) 328-1100 for your free, no-obligation price estimate.
Awning Window Buying Guide
Add architectural interest to your home with awning windows
Awning windows can help any homeowner achieve a classic architectural look. This window style can easily elevate a home’s curb appeal while providing a practical solution for ventilation and airflow. Additionally, when added to commercial spaces, awning windows can provide natural light without sacrificing security. When you explore these window awning ideas, you’ll discover that this style of window is as practical as it is beautiful.
What Is an Awning Window?
Awning windows are designed to increase airflow and ventilation while offering protection from rain and other precipitation. They’re one of the few types of windows available that are hinged and swing outward rather than sliding open. When open, these unique windows create an awning that lies over the window opening.
Where Are Awning Windows Typically Used?
While awning windows can be placed in any room of the home, they’re most common in specific locations due to the functionality they offer. In most cases, these windows are placed higher up on the wall, allowing for more privacy without sacrificing natural light. This makes them ideal for a variety of rooms in any home, including bathrooms, kitchens, and bedrooms.
Kitchen
Awning windows are frequently seen in kitchens. They make a great choice in this room because they provide ample ventilation and don’t allow precipitation when the weather isn’t great. Often, kitchen windows are situated above the sink to provide a clear view outside while washing dishes or preparing food, but they can also be installed in other areas where additional light is needed, such as near dining nooks.
Bathroom
Many homeowners choose awning windows for their bathrooms. Because they can be placed higher up on the wall, awning windows offer a great way to add ventilation, which can help reduce humidity when warm showers are running. An awning window is also beneficial in the bathroom because it provides natural light in a space where light is often limited.
Bedroom
For privacy, bedrooms are often placed in more discreet parts of the home, which makes it important to have secure windows in these rooms. Because awning windows only open at a 45-degree angle, they may help make homes less susceptible to break-ins, which is why they’re often chosen for bedrooms. Many people also appreciate the privacy awning windows can provide in a bedroom.
Other Awning Window Ideas
Awning windows make a great option anywhere you desire natural light but don’t require direct airflow. Homeowners often choose to add them to laundry rooms, home gyms, and developed basement spaces.
In rooms where awning windows are meant to provide privacy and light simultaneously, using frosted glass can ensure privacy is maintained, even when windows are partially open.
How Do Awning Windows Work?
Awning window hinges are located at the top of the window, enabling the window to open outward. While most open at a 45-degree angle, some awning windows may open as much as 90 degrees. They’re operated using a hand crank, which controls how far the window opens. Before the crank will turn, it usually needs to be unfolded. This helps keep the window childproof to an extent and ensures it looks tidy when the crank isn’t in use.
For security, awning windows generally feature two locks along the top of the pane. These locks need to be released for the window to open. When they’re activated, the window should seal to prevent drafts and moisture from getting into the home, as well.
Awning Window Parts
Awning windows have several components that are standard for all types of windows, including the frame, pane, and sash. They also include an operator arm and handle — the mechanism that’s used to open the window — as well as a locking handle, which seals the window when it’s closed, keeping drafts out and ensuring your home’s security.
Awning Window Pros and Cons
When you’re selecting windows for your home, it’s important to understand the pros and cons of each window style so you’re able to make an informed decision about which type of window is right for each room in your home. Some pros of awning windows, as well as disadvantages, are discussed below.
Of course, it’s important to consider how any window style compares to other options that may be suitable for your space. For example, when comparing awning windows vs. casement windows, it’s important to determine which style has more benefits that appeal to you and to determine whether the associated disadvantages are worth putting up with.
Advantages of Awning Windows
Ventilation
Awning windows offer a great way to improve ventilation in rooms where it’s needed most, including the kitchen and bathrooms. Additionally, these windows can be opened even in rainy weather, as the awning design keeps water out of the home while allowing fresh air in. Thanks to this protection, awning windows are ideal for homes in coastal states where rainy weather and humidity are common.
Unique Design
Awning windows are appealing to look at from both inside and outside. While their aesthetic adds classic style to any home, their unique design provides homeowners with functions that aren’t available in other window types.
Awning windows are relatively easy to customize, too. Property owners can select awning windows with screens or without, tempered or obscured glass, flat or contoured grids, and frames that suit the rest of the home.
Security and Privacy
Because awning windows are typically placed higher on the wall than other window styles, they offer a great way to maintain privacy in bedrooms, bathrooms and other private areas in the home. On top of that, they’re often smaller than other windows styles, making them less attractive to criminals looking for an easy point of entry. Homeowners looking for added security may want to consider the advantages of awning windows in their homes.
Disadvantages of Awning Windows
They Don’t Work in High-Traffic Areas
Because awning windows protrude from the house, they’re not ideal in areas where there are high levels of traffic outside of the home. Instead, they’re best in rooms that can accommodate a higher window placement or in areas where outdoor traffic is minimal.
That’s why awning windows make great additions to rooms on a home’s second or third story, as well as in smaller rooms such as bathrooms and laundry rooms where they can be placed higher up on the wall.
Cleaning
Awning windows can be more difficult to clean than other styles because of their placement. If an awning window is on an upper floor in the home or high on a wall, it can be hard to access the outside of the window for cleaning.
Luckily, most awning windows have built-in components that enable you to turn the outside pane inward, making it easy to clean from inside the home. Homeowners who plan to clean the windows themselves may want to consider looking for awning windows that include this feature.
Repairs
Repairs on awning windows can be difficult, especially if repairs are required on components located outside. Often, a tall ladder is needed to access these parts, and conducting the repairs carries some risks. However, with correct installation and proper care, awning windows should require minimal repairs and as such, the benefits of installing awning windows in your home far outweigh the disadvantages.
Awning Window Sizes
Awning windows don’t come in one standard size. Instead, there’s a variety of size options available for awning windows, helping property owners select a window that suits their specific space regardless of size requirements. That being said, there are some sizes that are more common. On top of that, awning windows can be customized to suit a particular space when premade sizes don’t fit.
Standard Awning Window Size
Awning window sizes vary quite a bit, with widths ranging from 19 3/4 inches to 60 inches and heights ranging from 16 inches to 42 inches.
This wide range of sizes makes it easy to find an awning window that fits almost anywhere. In some cases, awning windows can be made extremely small to provide a means of ventilation in rooms that need it while in others, they may be quite large to provide a clear view outside and plenty of natural light in family rooms, bedrooms, and other spaces.
Custom Window Awnings
Of course, all homes and buildings are unique so in the event that standard awning window sizes don’t work in a particular space, custom window awnings can be designed to almost any specification.
On top of custom sizing, custom awning windows can also include a selection of other features, including double- or triple-pane glass, grids, and frames in colors that match other components of the home.
Replacement Window Awnings
Regardless of the size needed, Thompson Creek offers replacement window awnings for any room. We provide custom window awnings for homes and commercial spaces, including a selection of modern window awning ideas and designs. Whether you’re seeking replacement awning windows for your business property or you’re looking to install new residential window awnings to add more natural light to your indoor space, Thompson Creek can provide you with secure awning windows that add function and beauty to your home.
What is a Hopper Window?
What is a hopper window? Learn more about this unique window style, where they're commonly installed and the advantages of using them.
Read More
How Much Do Awning Windows Cost?
Awning windows add natural light and contemporary style. But, how much do awning windows cost? Learn more about the factors involved in determining costs.
Read More
Modern Window Styles
Is your home ready for a makeover? Here are some ways that contemporary windows can transform the exterior of your home. Learn more about modern window styles.
Read More.height-ext {min-height:350px;}.content img.alignright { margin: 0em 0 2em 2em;}.content img.alignleft {margin: 0em 2em 2em 0em;}@media (max-width: 767px) {.tenx-hero-section{height:45vh;max-height:45vh;min-height:45vh;}.content img{width:100%;height:auto;}} section.bg:last-of-type>div.container.my-5 {margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important} #content > div.bg.header-backg > section > div.content > section:nth-child(7) > div {margin-bottom: 6rem !important;}