Choosing the Right Awning Window
When you are considering the purchase of an awning window, it is important for you to understand the effect that the size of the awning window will have upon your home. Many individuals dont consider the size of the window that they wish to purchase for their home, and many of those who purchase incorrectly sized awning windows find that the awning window doesnt fit into the structure of their home. The chart that is included in this article display various sizes of awning window that are typically used within different areas of a home.
An awning window is a type of window that is provided with a hinge at the top of the window, such that the window can open outward from the structure of the home. This type of window can provide coverage for the awning structure that sits above the windows, and helps to ensure that the rain will not enter into the home through the open awning window. Small awning windows are typically used in bathrooms and laundry rooms for privacy, while wider and taller awning window are used in kitchens and living areas to allow for the movement of more air in relation to cooking odors.
How to Choose the Right Awning Window
In kitchens, it is also important to ensure that the awning window is positioned to allow for the reach of the crank to move the awning window. The material of the frame of the awning window will impact both the performance of the awning window and the cost of the awning window. Vinyl materials is often used to construct small awning windows, as vinyl materials are insulating and cost less money then other types of materials.
Aluminum materials are often used to construct the frames of wider awning window, as the aluminum frames are slim and strong even with the heavier sashes of those awning windows. Wood and fiberglass materials are used in situations where an awning window must be stable in relation to changes in temperature within the home. Each of these materials has a U-factor, which expresses how much heat passes through the frame and glass of the awning window.
If the U-factor is low, the awning window will allow for less heat to pass through, which helps to reduce the homeowners heating and cooling costs. The rough opening in the wall in which the awning window will be installed must be correctly calculated prior to the installation of the awning window. A gap must be provided around the awning window frame to allow for the awning window to be shimmed into an even and sealed structure.
One-half inch gap are required on each side of the awning window frame. If the rough opening is too tight for the frame, the awning window may not be able to open or close proper. If the rough opening is too wide for the frame, the shims will not be able to rest on a solid surface.
Both the header size and the sill height of the rough opening should of been considered prior to installing the awning window. The opening angle of the awning window will impact the amount of air that is permitted to enter the home through that window. Most awning windows will open to 65 degrees.
This amount of opening allows for adequate movement of air into the home, while still ensuring that the awning window will not become a hazard for the structure of the home in strong winds. A wider awning window may require two cranks to open and close the window. Cranks should not be used on awning windows that are wider than 36 inches, as the use of one crank may result in a bent arm, or the awning window may not be able to close completely.
Installation of the awning window may reveal various problems related to the size of the awning window. The sill of the awning window must be leveled prior to installation of the frame of the awning window. The awning window may become bound to the structure of the home if the sill isnt level.
Placing shims along the jamb of the rough opening every twelve inches will prevent the awning window from bowing. Use of flashing, foam backer rod, and exterior caulk will ensure that water does not enter between the awning window frame and the rough opening in the wall. If these installation steps are skipped, the awning window will allow for movement of air into the home and may leak outside air into the structure of the home.
Each awning window has an energy rating, which provides information regarding the performance of the awning window during the various seasons of the year. The U-factor, the solar heat gain coefficient, and the air leakage rate of the awning window determine how the awning window will perform during these seasons. Vinyl and fiberglass awning windows can help to meet the energy codes required for the region in which the awning window will be installed.
The visible light transmission of the awning window is also a factor in the energy ratings of the awning window. However, visible light transmission is often less important than the other factors related to energy ratings of awning windows. For instance, the awning windows are often placed in positions in the home that minimize the loss of visibility of the individual behind the awning window.
The size of an awning window includes a variety of tradeoffs between the amount of air that is to move in and out of the home, the amount of space that is available in the wall to include the awning window, and the costs of operating the awning window. The chart included in this article indicates the various sizes of awning windows that are typically used within various areas of the home. These recommendations are a starting point for individuals who is purchasing awning windows for their homes.
Further considerations should include the ceiling height of the room in which the awning window will be installed, the climate of the region in which the home is constructed, and the number of times that the awning window will be opened to allow air to move into the home. By considering each of these factors, the awning window will both turn smoothly with the crank, and the sash of the awning window will remain weather-tight.
