Tips

What is an awning window?

With its unique opening style, energy efficiency, and sleek good looks, an awning window can add a lot to your home. Find out its benefits, where it works best, and need-to-know details.

A living room with a window wall made of A-Series Picture Windows joined together with A-Series Awning Windows.

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As a standalone opening or in combination with other windows, an awning window can be the perfect choice for your home — find out how.

What is an awning window?

An awning window is horizontally oriented and has hinges at the top, so it opens outward like an old-fashioned garage door. Its sash acts like a canopy when open. Opening is easy thanks to the crank and the option to add automation, so this window can open with the touch of a button. Like all our windows, it can be ordered with an insect screen. Its design, with a seal similar to a refrigerator door, makes it one of our most energy-efficient windows.

A home with large Andersen E-Series window combination units including a picture window joined to an awning window.

These E-Series window units feature picture windows joined to awning windows enlarging the opening for maximum daylight and offering the opportunity to bring in fresh air. Sometimes, outward opening awning windows aren’t ideal next to a patio or walkway but, in this case, they open over a garden bed so don’t take away patio space.

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What are the benefits of an awning window?

There’s a lot to love about an awning window, including:

Canopy opening brings in fresh air, even when it’s raining.
Crank makes it easy to open, even in an out-of-the way space.
Horizontal shape suits a number of different spaces, home styles, and more.
Energy-efficient design makes it a great choice in any climate!

Where do awning windows work best?

The shape and opening of an awning window lends it to some unique applications. Depending on where it’s used, it can suit a variety of home styles — though it’s often chosen in more modern homes. Here are a few places where it’s ideally suited.

A modern lake home with standing-seam metal roof, white siding, and bright red front door.

A modern lake home with a strikingly simple look that’s well complemented by the 100 Series Picture Windows joined to 100 Series Awning Windows.

Products Shown

100 Series Picture Window

Products used in this image

100 Series Picture Window

100 Series Awning Window

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High on a wall

Anywhere you want light, fresh air, and privacy, an awning window is perfect. Here are a couple ideas on where you could place it:

In a bathroom, where you always want the option to bring in fresh air, it can even be opened in the rain.
In a basement, where above-ground space may be limited, it can be placed high on the wall and opened easily with its crank.
As a clerestory, or a window placed along the roofline, its horizontal shape fits well, and it can be used to create a modern look.

Did you know: If your window is beyond reach, our 400 Series Awning Windows, A-Series Awning Windows, and E-Series Awning Windows can be ordered with a power operator, which allows a window to open with the click of a button.

An open-concept living room space with clerestory windows along the roofline.

The windows along the roofline (called clerestory windows) in this home ensure natural light all throughout the day as well as fresh air. The home is designed to let cool air in through the lower windows and vent hot air out of the clerestory windows, which are automated E-Series Awning Windows.

Products Shown

E Series Awning Window

Products used in this image

E Series Awning Window

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In a window combination unit

If you’re looking to create a showstopping feature by combining multiple types of windows, the versatile awning plays well with others. Here are a few ideas:

Picture and awning windows are often combined to frame big views and bring in fresh air, respectively. You’ll find this classic combo in many modern homes.
Above a door (called a transom), awnings have long been used as a way to bring in fresh air, even when the door is closed.
Above another window (also called a transom), an awning can expand the opening creating a feeling of spaciousness that’s like the effect created by a floor-to-ceiling window.

Did you know: This type of window comes in sizes perfect for completing large window configurations. For example, the A-Series Awning Window can be up to 6-feet wide and 4-feet tall. If you’re aiming for clean lines and minimal framing, talk to your builder about ordering windows that are designed to be installed together. This is called joining.

A living room that effectively doubles in space connecting with a deck and hot tub when the Andersen® Folding Outswing Door is open.

The row of windows above the Folding Outswing Door are E-Series Awning Windows. Windows above a door or another window are called transom windows. While transoms are often fixed windows (meaning they don’t open), they don’t have to be and awnings are a great option when you want to bring in fresh air.

Products Shown

E Series Awning Window

Products used in this image

E Series Awning Window

Folding Outswing Door

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Are awning windows more energy efficient?

Yes! Awning windows (along with casement windows) are some of our most efficient windows. This is due to their single-sash design, which allows fewer opportunities for leaking air. In addition, the hardware actually pulls the sash into the frame for a tight seal.

You can also make selections to further maximize your awning window’s energy efficiency — here's how:

Consider triple-pane glass: All our windows come standard with dual-pane glass, but an even more energy-efficient glass type is available. Triple-pane glass is an option with A-Series Awning Window and our E-Series Awning Window.
Select the right glass option: All our windows come standard with a low-emissivity (Low-E) coating, which helps reflect heat in a way that maximizes energy efficiency in your climate. Find out more about selecting the right glass option with a coating (or coatings) for optimal performance in your area.

A black barn-shaped home with very large Andersen® E-Series Picture Windows and E-Series Awning Windows.

This contemporary home was inspired by barn design with a scale to match. The monumental windows were created by joining E-Series Picture Windows with E-Series Awning Windows. Selecting these types of windows and triple pane glass with the right Low-E glass coating all help further the energy efficiency of this home.

Products Shown

E-Series Picture Window

Products used in this image

E-Series Picture Window

E Series Awning Window

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How do you clean an awning window?

Like all windows, awning windows should be cleaned regularly. This will make the most of your natural light and help maintain your windows over time.

One thing that can make cleaning awning windows a little bit tricky is that they’re often placed in high locations. If that’s the case in your home, it might be wise to hire a professional window cleaner. If you feel equipped to clean your own windows, here’s what else you should know:

Interior cleaning: Cleaning the interior of an awning window is no different than cleaning any other type of window. Get started with our detailed instructions and pro tips about how to clean windows.
Exterior cleaning: Some of our windows can be cleaned from inside the home — all our double-hung windows have tilt-wash capabilities, and casements can be cleaned from indoors too. Our awning windows, however, are not designed to be cleaned from the inside. You must go outside to clean their exteriors.

Picture and awning windows are combined in two different openings at the top of a staircase where they serve to bring in lots of natural light.

100 Series Awning Windows above 100 Series Casement Windows enlarge the openings in the wall and flood the hallway and stairwell with light.

Products Shown

100 Series Awning Window

Products used in this image

100 Series Awning Window

100 Series Casement Window

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Looking for a replacement awning window?

A great option for replacement is available with the 100 Series Awning Window insert replacement. Insert replacements are windows that can be installed into existing frames that are in good condition — not out of square, no rot, etc. An insert creates minimal disruption allowing you to keep your original frame along with interior and exterior trim, and siding. A contractor can tell you if insert replacement windows will work in your home, and we can help you find an Andersen Certified Contractor in your area.

Learn about insert replacement Find a contractor

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Awning window FAQs

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Tips

What is an awning window?

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What is an awning window?

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What are the benefits of an awning window?

Where do awning windows work best?

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High on a wall

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In a window combination unit

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Are awning windows more energy efficient?

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How do you clean an awning window?

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Looking for a replacement awning window?

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Awning window FAQs

How do awning windows differ from casement windows?

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What materials are awning windows made of?

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Are awning windows suitable to all climate conditions?

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Can awning windows be customized to fit specific design requirements?

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Up next

Types of windows

Design tool

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Tips

What is an awning window?

What is an awning window?

Where do awning windows work best?

High on a wall

In a window combination unit

Are awning windows more energy efficient?

How do you clean an awning window?

Looking for a replacement awning window?

Are awning windows suitable to all climate conditions?

Can awning windows be customized to fit specific design requirements?

Up next

Types of windows

Design tool

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