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Awning Windows, A Brief Discussion

If you’re in the market for replacement windows or if you are building a home and are looking at window options, one of the most confused and overlooked windows is the awning window. Because of its relative obscurity, many people forget this window, (including designers and architects) and its ability to solve a myriad of problems. Here we will discuss the awning window, and its cousin the hopper window so that you can have the information you need to make informed decisions about what windows would work best in every location of your house based on the needs and wants for that particular room.

Simply put, an awning window is a window that has a hinge at the top (header) of a window. This hinge allows the sash(moving portion of a window) to be pushed out usually 3 to 4 inches. There are several benefits and drawbacks to these windows so let’s discuss them separately.

Benefit #1 – Ventilation/View preservation balance. In any frame situation the eye is automatically drawn to the center of an opening, picture or landscape. Therefore, when you look out a window, your eye is usually drawn to the center of the opening. Single hung windows and horizontal slider block the view with a center mullion going straight down the middle of your line of sight. This is a drawback to this type of window, so many people choose “fixed windows” or picture windows. The problem with this type of window is the loss of ventilation abilities.

With an awning window, you can place it at the bottom of a fixed window or at the top depending on which portion of your view you are trying to preserve. This way, your eye is drawn to the center of the fixed window portion of the frame, thereby preserving your view, while allowing you to ventilate properly as well.

Benefit #2 – Security. Awning windows only open a few inches so even if they are unlocked or left open, they are nearly impossible to get through without breaking the glass. Most awning windows are relative wide, but narrow on the height. This makes it an undesirable entry point for would be intruders.

Benefit#3 – Pizzazz. Awning windows have a different look, and will set your house apart from the thousands of homes in your neighborhood that are exactly alike. Even though they have been around a very long time, they have a modern appeal and will set a room off quite nicely. As a nice side benefit you can mix them with the previously mentioned “hopper window” which is a window that has a hinge on the bottom allowing the top of window to be tilted in. If you have awnings on one side of a room that will draw the breeze in, then hopper windows on the other side of the room it will push the breeze out and makes for an extremely efficient ventilation system.

Drawback #1 – Cost. Yes unfortunately awning windows are more expensive than their sliding alternatives. The hardware that goes in to an awning window is sometimes cost prohibitive. Luckily you don’t have to use them everywhere, but just keep them in mind when picking your windows, it may solve a few problems for you.

Drawback #2 – Restrictive. Awning windows offered by window manufacturers can be restricted in size options available. Most manufacturers only allow them to be 3 feet wide and usually no more than 2 feet tall. You can put 2 side by side if you need a wider opening but just keep in mind that you may have to be a little flexible with the sizes if you choose that route.

If you still are confused as to what an awning window really is, check out this short video I put on YouTube that shows awning windows used around an indoor pool for ventilation and condensation reduction. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mjb6AfG9c0g 

 

Aluminum Windows - Friend or Foe?

If you’re in the market for replacement windows or if you are comparing different home improvement projects and currently have aluminum windows and you’ve done any research regarding aluminum windows surely you’ve come across some information on aluminum windows. It seems that the only information out there is about how bad aluminum windows are. In fact you would be hard pressed to find any positive information about aluminum windows on the web, and the question I get most from my home improvement clients is, “Are aluminum windows really as bad as they make them out to be?”

Unfortunately the answer is, “It depends.” I know you were hoping for a quick and easy answer but the fact remains that it really does depend on what’s important to you. If you want a quick answer so you can move on to a more interesting topic then, no, aluminum windows aren’t as bad as most people make them out to be, in fact, there are a lot of pro’s when it comes to aluminum windows and depending on your situation, they may outweigh the cons.

Pro #1 – Structurally, aluminum windows are the sturdiest. If you leave a piece of white aluminum window frame material out in the sun in Death Valley for 20 years, other than some dust and debris, wipe it down and it is going to look exactly the same as it did 20 years ago. I doubt you can say that about vinyl windows and you definitely can’t say that about wood. PVC Vinyl windows are getting better and better all the time but no matter how many UV inhibitors they put it the resin, there is only so much abuse a vinyl window can take.

Pro#2 – Big windows are a possibility with aluminum. Due to the structural soundness of aluminum, virtually the sky is the limit when it comes to window sizes. That’s why skyscrapers are made with aluminum windows; you see there is no such thing as vinyl or wood windows in skyscrapers. So if you’re building a large custom home or are remodeling your home and want some big expansive windows, you will most likely be pushed towards aluminum otherwise your sizes will be limited. With a very few minor exceptions almost all commercial building is done with aluminum windows or storefronts. Very rarely will you walk in to a 7-11 or grocery store and see a wood or vinyl entry door. They are aluminum because aluminum is proven to last the longest of all available choices. You will see fiberglass entry doors in some commercial buildings and yes fiberglass is almost as impervious to the elements as aluminum, however, in most designers opinions, aluminum has a nicer finish and fiberglass still needs maintenance such as painting or staining.

Pro#3 – Aluminum windows are the more cost effective choice, at least as an initial investment is concerned. Of course there are varying quality levels and yes Brand A Aluminum window may cost more than Brand B Vinyl window, however for comparable levels of quality, aluminum windows will be the more cost effective. For example, Milgard Windows, lowest price window line is their aluminum window. The glass which makes up most of the window is the same across all products, but the aluminum window is the cheapest window they offer.

Pro#4 – You usually have more color choices with aluminum. Colored vinyl windows are not quite ready for mass production yet, especially in extreme climates like southern Nevada, Arizona and the California desert. Many window manufacturers refuse to sell their white or tan vinyl in the desert let alone a colored version. With wood windows you get many color choices, but once again it is the aluminum on the exterior that is a different color. Aluminum windows are pretty much the only window I would trust in a black or dark brown color in high temperature regions. Aluminum can be easily painted to match any color you like at a reasonable cost. This is why you still see aluminum windows in large custom homes, because they are the only window that gives you the color and size options often needed when designing a large custom home.

So there are a lot of positives when it comes to aluminum windows, so why do they get such a bad rap? Well there is only one real negative when it comes to aluminum windows and it’s a big one especially nowadays.

Con#1 – Aluminum windows are extremely inefficient when it comes to thermal energy protection. Energy efficiency is a major topic these days and if you want to sell a product you had better make sure that it is energy efficient or else it is doomed. Therefore all competing products continuously tout how inefficient aluminum windows are and how energy efficient, vinyl, wood and fiberglass are. So there is nothing to say about that, the fact is yes aluminum windows aren’t as energy efficient as the other alternatives.

Metal conducts heat. If its hot outside and you’re on the inside of your home and feel the frame of the aluminum window then it is going to feel hot. Same holds true in the winter, the frames are going to be cold and the aluminum will transfer that temperature difference into your home. There’s nothing you can do about it. So you have to decide if energy efficiency is your main concern. If it is, I wouldn’t recommend purchasing aluminum windows.

However if you are dead set on aluminum windows but are disheartened about the whole energy efficiency thing I have some good news for you. There is a way you can get the best of both worlds. There is a product called “Thermal Break Aluminum Windows” These are aluminum windows that are actually energy efficient as well. In layman’s terms the aluminum is basically “broken” up by a filament that prevents heat transfer through the window frame. Therefore the exterior portion of the frame is separated from the interior frame by a rubber energy efficient compound that allows you to have an aluminum window while still maintaining energy efficiency.

To see an example of a thermal break window visit www.arcadiaincorporated.com

 

Ouch!

Here's why I don't recommend homeowners buy their own product without professional help. Notice how the transom glass above the door is totally different in size and placement from the door glass below? Not a very nice looking finish.

Pet Doors - Doggie Doors

 

Here's the latest and most awesome way to install a doggie door.

The dog door is actually inserted between the glass of your dual pane sliding glass door. If you've been looking for a way to add a pet door but are dissatisfied with the options available, take a look at this. If you are in the Las Vegas area, go to www.installprolv.com - Otherwise, sign up to the right of this post in the internet inly offers and we will send you some information in your area.