I always thought awnings were more for protection from direct sun than any kind of water protection. Save the money toward getting the roof overhang done, You need that a lot more. If the windows are leaking, they need more help than an awning can provide, like replacing. The sooner you get that overhang on, to protect the walls, roof, insulation, and ceilings from water damage, the better. Are you getting a sloped roof installed along with the overhang? Those shed water so much better. Something to consider. Even a few inches total of incline would help a great deal.

Thanks, abbisgram and cathyyg! I appreciate both of your answers. Abbisgram, I hadn't considered the idea that after changing out windows the awnings may no longer fit. Thank you for pointing that out! Cathyyg, folks out here use awnings more for rain than sun, perhaps because it rains so much here! :-) However, after reading your and abbisgram's advice, and finding out how much awnings cost, I have abandoned the idea for now.

I'm lucky in that so far the windows don't appear to be leaking. The water marks on the ceiling in the LR and back bedroom appear to be coming from the roof. I'm hoping the snow coat will stop that until I can afford to get the roof over next summer/autumn. The two places where the floor has soft spots are by the front and back doors. I just put in a new screen door in the front, and I hope that will help until I can get the roof over.

I had first thought of awnings for front and back doors, just to try to get less water cascading down from the roof. Although the windows aren't leaking yet, I was acting with an over abundance of caution. Of course, you are both right: awnings will not stop 100% of the water, but I was thinking that even if they stop 85% of it, that would be better than nothing.

The previous owners put in two new double pane windows. But when I put in new windows, I'll do all of them so they match.

Yes, cathyyg, the new roof over will be sloped. We don't get snow like you do, but we get some, and once in a while we get a lot. You and abbisgram are right: water/moisture is the enemy! My renovation will take nearly three years, because I'm paying cash for everything as money becomes available.

I'm prioritising the structural integrity of the house first: roof over (with insulation), siding and insulting the walls, all new vinyl windows, insulated skirting, repair subfloor where necessary and overlay with 3/8" plywood, insulated vinyl or laminate flooring throughout (use large area rugs in LR, bedrooms). Am I missing anything here?? When that's all done, we can start the beautification phase, lol. A big kitchen overhaul, remodel bathrooms, paint/wallpaper throughout, etc. And knock out big/ugly china cabinet separating LR from K/DR to make it open concept.

I had originally thought of the awnings as a stop-gap measure. But WOW are they expensive!! So I'm not going to do that; however, what would you think about awnings just for the two doors??? I would really value your advice!

And anyone is welcome to chime in with their two cent's worth! THANK YOU!!

I think that subfloor repair would come before the replacement of non-leaking windows and skirting. But subfloor repair leads directly to cosmetics, the replacement flooring. I agree with your priorities.

The issue is getting through the winter without more damage. Can you weatherstrip the bejesus out of the doors to keep water from seeping in at the edges and bottom? And do not fail to go outside and re-caulk the edges of every door, window and trim piece, before it gets too cold for the caulk to dry and seal properly. That will do more than an awning!

Hi cathyyg, I think that is really excellent advice, and I'm going to take it!! I think you're absolutely right about weatherstripping and caulking. I think that will go a long ways towards damage control. Sometimes it's difficult for me to figure out what to do first on this house since it needs a lot of work on pretty much every front. But I think (hope) that doing the roof over first will be the most helpful. You're right on the subfloor too. I hope it's only those two places by the doors and can be easily fixed. However, I'm bracing for the worst. Thanks again for the advice! By the way, did you end up getting a new furnace? If so, how is it working out?

I'm excited for you to get started on this. :) Since you're thinking about covering your deck I'd just let go of the awning idea for both doors. Maybe just do one if it's a door you'll use often. I park right by my back door so it's my primary entrance and I do appreciate my little awning there. Sometimes I forget to get my door key out before I get out of the car so at least I'm not standing in the rain. And I get full sun on that end all day so I get a little shading, too. You might run across one on Craigslist sometime. You may have already thought of this but I'd go ahead and take down that china cabinet when you do new flooring.

Hi abbisgram! I'm excited too! I agree with you and cathyyg, I'm going to forget about awnings for now. I will caulk and weatherstrip for sure. Craigslist is a great idea, though! I have learned a handy little tip about Craigslist: I will never have to buy rocks for my yard! At least in my area, there are adverts every day for free rocks and lava rocks--just come and haul them away! So I'll just have to hire a guy (from Craigslist!) with a pickup to get them and dump them in my yard. But ANYWAY, I do appreciate the advice! I'll be taking pics and videos of the entire renovation, and I'll be sure to post them to this forum. And yes, I will knock out the cabinet when I do the floors. :-)