Renovation Detail: The Awning Window
Although they open from the bottom, awning windows are tops at boosting air circulation — even when the rain comes knocking
Houzz Contributor. I'm an interior designer, homeowner and founding blogger of the before + after super-site, http://www.raenovate.com/.
Houzz Contributor. I'm an interior designer, homeowner and founding blogger... More »
On a recent weekend at my family's lake home we had a marathon discussion about awning windows and their benefits (we're wild conversationalists, I know). Awning windows are a member of the casement family, but while standard casement windows are side hung, an awning is hinged on top to open outward from the bottom.
Due to their ingenious top-hung sash, awning windows can be open while it's raining without letting water into your home. This is especially appealing at our lake house, where rainstorms flood the valley with little warning and the sound of rain on the water is a welcome orchestra.
Rain or shine, awning windows are also an easy way to boost ventilation. With proper placement they'll greatly boost your home's air circulation and most certainly its charming appearance.
Due to their ingenious top-hung sash, awning windows can be open while it's raining without letting water into your home. This is especially appealing at our lake house, where rainstorms flood the valley with little warning and the sound of rain on the water is a welcome orchestra.
Rain or shine, awning windows are also an easy way to boost ventilation. With proper placement they'll greatly boost your home's air circulation and most certainly its charming appearance.
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| If opening a window requires a reach (such as when it's over a mantel), awnings are a great choice, because they open from the bottom. |
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by TEA2 Architects
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| Awning windows are perfect for welcoming in fresh lakeside air, even when it's raining. |
Designer Richard Bubnowski perfectly paired an awning window with exposed rafters, knee braces, cedar shakes and square tapered columns, to create the quintessential Craftsman seaside home.
| This modern Texas home is located on a hill, and the low awning windows allow for breezes to come up and in, increasing ventilation. The window layout also allows for an unobstructed view. |
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| Awning windows provide excellent ventilation and increased air circulation in an attic. |
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| If awning windows belong anywhere, they belong at this fully equipped woodworking shop in Scarborough, Maine. |
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| Awning windows welcome Southern summer breezes at this vacation home on Daufuskie Island, near Savannah, Georgia. |
Awning windows can help alleviate steaminess when you're having tub time.
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by Dale Browne
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| Awning windows and a clipped-gable roof are an aesthetic match made in heaven. |
Comments
olldbobbi Awning windows are great! Until you walk into an open one, as I did at a hotel in So. San Francisco. Only then can you learn the true meaning of "irresistible object meets immovable force". To be safe, awning windows should be placed above "eye level"!
13 months ago · Like
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Danielle Mulkey I have the three tier type in my 1968 brick ranch home. I feel they are great for keeping burglars out, but at the same time, in case of fire you can't use them to escape. I do enjoy that they can be left open when raining also.
13 months ago · Like
gillianne Our late '60s house has vintage windows in all rooms. We appreciate them (they were perfect for yesterday's heavy storm action). The only downside is the challenge of a window fan or a/c, now that climate change has brought some steamy summertime days and nights to northern New England.
13 months ago · Like
maggiesmom91 I like the idea of being able to keep the windows open during a rain shower, but I wonder how you use screens on awning windows.
13 months ago · Like
Jan Yatsko We have screens on all of our awning windows in Costa Rica. The screens are removeable from the inside and are held in place with a moveable clip. An open window without screens with mosquitos, flys and rain bugs...oh my!
13 months ago · Like
Laurel Ennis We have some awning windows. They're remarkable in how they let it absolutely no air. No breeze. No room-freshening. No relief from the heat. They open and everything stays just as hot and stuffy as you had it before. That's not easy to do. I still favour crank casements for the best ventilation. What kinds of windows do you favour?
13 months ago · Like
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fredericklc I love them all, but especially the last house. How awesome is that?
13 months ago · Like
eyeglow Awning windows are the best in a rainy climate. They can still be open with a tiny chance of rain in the house.
10 months ago · Like
lc29 Whoever built my house 40 years decide windows that open weren't really necessary, huh? Because I live in a beach community with a lot of foot traffic I've been think of replacing 3 of the large door-size "windows" with windows that are 2/3 stationary with an awning window at the top. Has anyone had windows like these? Any pros/cons?
7 months ago · Like
smittycdm (Better late than never) Laurel, you are so right! about those awning windows about restricting air flow. We replaced all the windows & doors during our whole house remodel. Unfortunately, I didn't notice, while scrutinizing the Door/Window Plan, the Designer substituted awning windows in our Master Bath for the previous Casements. One more lesson learned: never rush; review, check & double check all plans (among many other things learned ;-)
5 months ago · Like
Retractable Screens, LLC Retractable window screens can be a great solution for insect and solar protect and can be installed on virtually any window. They stay retracted into their low-profile housing and when needed, easily pull our of their housing and latch into place. 
4 months ago · Like
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apoorva17 We have these windows in our 1960's home. Love that they bring in lots of sunshine and can open during rain, but they don't have screens and are small in size. Fortunately, our house is located on top of a hill in town, so the breeze is actually really nice! We'll be looking into retractable screens!
3 months ago · Like
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Ideabook updated on May 29, 2012.
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