Window awnings offer great aesthetic value and can enhance your home’s curb appeal, but they also offer a variety of practical uses. Many people think about installing window awnings but never get around to it, mainly because they’re unsure if the investment is worth it.
If you’re on the fence, take a look at some of the most common reasons homeowners opt to install window awnings.
Improves Energy-Efficiency
Awnings installed above windows can result in noticeable savings on energy bills, particularly during the summer. During the summer, windows can retain heat and release it back into your home. With an awning creating shade over the window, it reduces the amount of heat that your window will retain, thus saving money on the energy it would take to keep your home cool. During the winter, an awning can provide further protection from cold drafts that leak through the window which will reduce the amount of energy used to heat your home.
Protection From the Sun
Have you ever experienced fading on your favorite sofa or area rug due to sun exposure over time? A window awning can provide an ample amount of shade to protect your belongings that sit underneath it. It keeps the color of materials from fading by minimizing the number of UV rays entering your home.
Extended Living Area
If you enjoy outdoor meals on the patio, an awning installed over your patio door can create an extended living area out on the porch. It will provide better protection against the sun during the day and a more private setting for you and your house guests.
Protection Against the Elements
Enjoy the soothing sound of the elements with the windows wide open while it’s raining. With a window awning installed over your home windows, you won’t have to worry about rainwater leaking into your home through your open windows. You have options for ventilation regardless of the weather conditions. In addition to this, rain, snow, and condensation can wear down your windows over time. Having a window awning installed can provide better protection to the exterior of your windows during inclement weather conditions.
Condensation is often the main cause of window damage, even in high-quality windows made of durable materials. This occurs when moisture gets trapped between the inside surface of the window. Condensation will look like foggy patches with droplets of water and it will also make it more difficult to see through the window.
If you are seeing signs of condensation on your home windows, you should clean and wipe your windows dry, because it may lead to mold and fungus growth on the window. Having a window awning installed above a window can prevent condensation by providing extra coverage, and reducing the amount of water and moisture that can come in contact with the window.
Maintaining Window Awnings
Window awnings are usually low maintenance, depending on the type that you get. It’s important to note that aluminum awnings, one of the most popular types, should not be washed with regular soap, as it can cause corrosion over time. Special solvents for washing aluminum window awnings can be purchased at most home hardware stores.
Grime can accumulate on a window awning if they haven’t been washed for long periods of time. To remove grime, use a soft sponge or soft bristles to gently scrub the grime from the surface with the special solvent diluted in warm water. Proper window maintenance also involves drying the window awning. If they are not dried properly, there may be a solvent that is left behind on the surface which could cause oxidation and permanent stains. An important tip to remember about maintaining aluminum window awnings is to paint them every few years to provide an added layer of protection.
How to Install Aluminum Window Awnings
If you’ve been debating whether to install a window awning, you should note that some people choose to do a self-installation to cut down on costs. While it’s advised to get a professional to do the job, installing a window awning on your own isn’t completely out of the question. If you want to attempt this DIY project, follow these steps.
What You’ll Need:
- Aluminum window awning
- Screws
- Nails
- Hammer
- Stringer units
- Level
- Tape measure
- Pencil
- Top bracket
- Drill and drill bits
- Return arms
- Safety gloves and goggles
Instructions:
- Preparing the site of installation in order to prepare for the installation, the window frame needs to be checked for stability. Over time, it is normal for windows to show some wear and tear. However, you want to ensure that the structural integrity of the window frame is still intact — meaning there are no cracks and it hasn’t warped in shape.If you find the window is in poor condition, it will need to be replaced before installing a window awning. If everything is in great working condition, go ahead and brush off any debris, and clean the area before beginning.
- Installing the brackets now you’re ready to install the top brackets along with the top corners of the window. This bracket is used to hold and support the window awning. This step is quite simple; you need to secure the brackets with the screw through the trim of the window. You should be using the measuring tape, pencil, and level before drilling the holes for the screws to ensure the bracket will be leveled.
- Connecting the arms and assembling the awning frame next, connect the stringer units to the end of each top bracket. The stringers will hang along the length of the awning. Now you can attach the return arms. Affix one end of the arms to the wall while the other free end of the return arm will be attached to the stringer units; these should fit in at the end of each unit. After fastening each connection and checking that they are all secure, the framework of the awning is ready.
- Place the aluminum the next step is to carefully place the aluminum in between the stringers. To do this, you should start at the top and stretch the aluminum down. Once you’ve covered the length of the frame secure them in place at the bottom. Your aluminum window awning is installed!
For more information about window awnings, call Northwood Tech Windows at (705) 497-9137 or contact us here.