Awning Windows Installation & Replacement
An awning window is hinged along the top of the frame and opens outward from the bottom using a crank, creating a small overhang that lets in fresh air while keeping rain out, even during a light shower. This makes awning windows one of the only styles that can safely be left open in wet weather.
1st Choice Home Solutions installs custom awning windows for homeowners across London, Ontario and throughout Middlesex, Lambton, and Elgin County, using Canadian-manufactured vinyl frames designed for our local climate. Awning windows are a popular choice for kitchens, bathrooms, and basements, where privacy and weather-resistant ventilation matter most.
Book a free consultation to see if an awning window is the right fit for your space.
What Is an Awning Window?
An awning window is hinged at the top of the frame and opens outward from the bottom using a crank mechanism, forming a small overhang over the opening, the shape it’s named for. Because the sash tilts outward rather than sliding or swinging fully open, an awning window can stay open during light rain without letting water in, while still drawing in fresh air. That same crank mechanism creates a tight compression seal when the window is closed, pressing the sash evenly into the frame on all sides for better resistance to drafts than a sliding window. Awning windows are typically sized smaller than a full window opening, which is part of what makes them well suited to spots like above a kitchen sink, a shower, or a basement, places where a full-size opening window isn’t practical.
Why Choose Awning Windows?
Awning windows solve a specific problem: ventilation without weather exposure. Homeowners across London and area choose them for a few key reasons:
- All-Weather Ventilation: Awning windows open outward at an angle, letting you enjoy fresh air even during light rain.
- Enhanced Privacy: Often installed higher on the wall or above doors and other windows, awning windows are a great option for private areas like bathrooms.
- Energy Efficient Design: The compression seal around the perimeter creates a tighter, more airtight seal than sliding windows — reducing drafts and improving home comfort.
- Versatile Use: Ideal for use on their own or stacked above larger fixed windows for added light and ventilation.
Awning Window Features
Every awning window from 1st Choice Home Solutions is built to hold up to daily use in Ontario’s climate:
- Continuous Weather Seal: Helps beat condensation and prevents unwanted drafts.
- Nesting Hardware: Keeps crank mechanisms tucked away for a sleek, streamlined appearance.
Awning Window Product Information
- Great for kitchens, basements, and bathrooms
- Built with multi-chambered vinyl frames for added strength and thermal efficiency
- Internal glazing stops hold the glass securely in place
- Double wall pull rail system ensures smoother operation on the window track
- DEL windows manufactured just outside Hamilton, Ontario
- Available with Low-E glass and argon gas for energy efficiency
Where Awning Windows Work Best
Because an awning window can be left open in the rain and installed higher on a wall without sacrificing privacy, it tends to work best in specific spots around the home:
- Kitchens: Installed above a sink or countertop, where a crank handle is easier to reach than a window you’d need to lift.
- Bathrooms: Positioned high on the wall for privacy and steam ventilation, without needing a curtain or blind.
- Basements: A common choice for basement rec rooms, laundry areas, or utility spaces that need airflow, though an awning window’s limited opening means it doesn’t meet Ontario’s egress requirements for a basement bedroom. If you’re finishing a basement bedroom or legal suite, see our Egress Windows page instead.
- Stacked above larger windows: Paired above a picture or fixed window to add ventilation to an otherwise fixed sightline.
Frequently Asked Questions About Awning Windows
Can an awning window be used as an egress window?
Generally, no. Because an awning window only opens a limited distance outward from the bottom, most awning windows don’t provide enough clear opening to meet the Ontario Building Code’s minimum egress size for a basement bedroom. A casement or dedicated egress window is typically the better fit for a basement bedroom or legal suite — 1st Choice Home Solutions can help you confirm what your basement needs.
Do awning windows leak when it rains?
No. An awning window’s sash tilts outward and slightly downward when open, so rain runs off the outside of the glass instead of draining into the house — which is exactly what makes this style well suited to being left open during a shower.
Are awning windows energy efficient?
Yes. Because the sash presses into the frame on all sides when closed, awning windows create a tight compression seal that’s generally more airtight than a sliding window, and 1st Choice Home Solutions installs them with Low-E glass and argon gas fill for added efficiency.
Can awning windows be installed above other windows?
Yes. Awning windows are commonly stacked above a larger fixed or picture window to add ventilation to a space without changing the main view — a popular option for living rooms and dining areas.
Ready to Add Awning Windows to Your Home?
Improve airflow, weather protection, and privacy with professionally installed awning windows. Our experts will help you choose the best style and performance features for your space.
Book your free consultation with 1st Choice Home Solutions today and experience the smart upgrade of awning windows!
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