Awning Impact Windows
Awning impact windows are hinged at the top and swing outward from the bottom, so the open sash forms a small roof over the opening. You can leave one cracked for air during a light rain. Storm Pro Window and Door custom builds awning windows with laminated impact glass and installs them with our own crews.
How Does an Awning Window Work?
An awning window uses a crank, like a casement, but the hinges are at the top. Turning the crank pushes the bottom of the sash outward and up. With the top edge sealed, rain tends to run off a partly open sash.
Awning windows are usually wider than they are tall. They can stand alone, stack in a column, or sit above or below a larger fixed window.
Choosing Awning Impact Windows
Where awning windows work best, what to consider for egress, and the options you can choose for each opening.
Where Do Awning Impact Windows Work Best?
During Florida’s summer rains, being able to leave an awning cracked open makes everyday ventilation easier.
Awning impact windows solve problems in rooms where other styles do not fit well.
Over tubs and showers
A high awning with obscure glass lets humidity out and keeps privacy.
Over kitchen sinks and counters
A crank is easier to reach than a sash you have to lift.
Laundry rooms
Airflow for heat and humidity.
High on a wall
Light and air while keeping wall space for furniture.
Below a picture window
An awning row adds airflow without interrupting the view.
Ventilation and Egress Considerations
Awning windows are ventilation windows. Because they open from the bottom and are typically short, most are not intended to serve as a bedroom emergency escape opening. If a bedroom needs egress, we recommend a style that meets the Florida Building Code requirement, such as a casement or single hung, and add awnings elsewhere for airflow.
- Awnings are ventilation windows
- Most are not bedroom escape openings
- Use a casement or single hung where egress is needed
- Add awnings elsewhere for airflow
Awning Window Options
Frames
Vinyl or aluminum
Obscure glass
A popular choice for bathroom awnings
Grids
Classic applied, between-the-glass, or double applied
Colors
Custom options to match your trim
Configurations
Single, stacked, or combined with fixed windows
Installation and Care
How our in-house crew installs awning impact windows, and the care that keeps them opening easily.
How Does Storm Pro Install Awning Windows?
Awning impact windows often go in tight spots over tubs, counters, or high on a wall, so our in-house crew plans access before install day. Each unit is anchored to the fastener pattern in its product approval and sealed to the opening. We will never install into rotted or structurally unsound framing, which is worth checking around older bathroom windows.
We secure the permit, protect your floors, and clean up before we leave. See our impact window installation process.
- Access planned for tubs, counters and high walls
- Anchored to its product approval fastener pattern
- Framing checked around older bathroom windows
- Permit secured, floors protected, site cleaned up
How Do You Care for an Awning Window?
What Pairs Well With Awning Windows?
The most common pairing is a large picture window with an awning below it: a clear view with airflow at the bottom. Awnings also combine well with casements, since both are crank operated and share a similar frame profile.
- Wipe the weatherstripping and check that it seals evenly.
- Keep hinge arms and the operator clean, especially in bathrooms.
- Clean glass with a mild, non-abrasive cleaner.
- Close and lock the sash before storms and when you leave.
- Do not force the crank beyond its stop.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I leave an awning window open when it rains?
In a light rain, a partly open awning usually keeps water out because the sash tilts away from the house. Close and lock it in heavy rain, strong wind, and always before a storm, since impact windows perform as tested only when closed and locked.
Are awning windows good for bathrooms?
Yes. An awning set high on a bathroom wall, often with obscure glass, lets humidity escape while keeping privacy. It can also sit over a tub or shower where a window you have to lift would be hard to reach.
Can an awning window be a bedroom egress window?
Usually not. Awnings are typically short and open from the bottom, which makes it hard to meet emergency escape requirements. We recommend a casement or single hung for bedroom egress and can add awnings elsewhere in the room.
How do I confirm an awning window is impact rated?
Ask for its Florida Product Approval or Miami-Dade NOA number and look it up on the Florida Building Commission website. We match each unit to the design pressure its opening requires.
What drives the cost of awning impact windows?
Size, frame, design pressure, glass, and how many units are combined. Awnings are often smaller, but crank hardware adds to each unit. See our cost guide.