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Installing Window Awnings on Your House

Awnings

When you start thinking about installing window awnings, three things come to mind. The first things is where do you want to place them? The second thing is what type of awning do you want? The final thing is that they should match your house. Awnings are used for two things, appearance and protection. They can give your house a better look if they are strategically placed either in front of your house or on the street or walk side. These are the two areas most viewed. If it is for protection from the sun, then they go over the windows that the sun enters in. Window awnings can save money by lowering your air conditioning bills. They keep the sunlight from entering into your home.

There are two types of awning, the solid state and retractable. Both have advantages and disadvantages. A solid awning will have to be painted from time to time because the sun will bleach it out. A retractable awning will rot out and they have to be rolled in and out. So before you start, you need to decide which one that you need.

Next the awning should match up with the trim of your home. If you have green trim on your woodwork, then you would want green trim on your awning. Most awnings have the trim running parallel in a vertical way. Some awnings are also solid in color.

The tools you will need are two ladders, portable drill that can also be used as a screwdriver, wood and mortar bits, masonry lags if going into brick or mortar, lag screws, outside enamel paint, hammer, paint brush, caulking gun, clear all weather caulk, level, tape measure, carpenters pencil, wood for the frame on a brick home if necessary.

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Measure the width and length of your windows or door area. An awning for a door area won’t have as big an angle of slope as a window does. This is simply because the door needs room to open. A window will slide but, not a door. Window awnings come in standard sizes. They are usually wider than longer. They will also have more of an angle pitch than an awning that covers a doorway.

Take a tape measure and measure the width and length of your window. The side of the awning will fit in the center of the side frames on the window. The top will either be on the window frame or just above the frame itself. Once you know the size you need, place your order. Most window awnings will come in a box with screws for the frame and instructions of how to assemble them.

Prep your hanging area. Pull out loose nails or screws. Paint the frame if it needs it and let it dry. If you are putting an awning on a brick building, you will need to build a wooden frame first and attach it to the brick. To do this, you will need the 1 inch thick wood about 4 inches wide and secure it to the brick area where your awning will hang. You will need a mortar drill bit to drill holes into the groves between the bricks, In some cases you will have to drill into the brick but, try to avoid this. Bricks crack easily. Us lags to hold the screws in the mortar joints to help attach the wood frame. Use a drill bit the size of the lags. The smaller the lag the easier the drilling. Lags and screws should be about 16 inches a part.. They tap in by a hammer. Then use screws to secure your wood frame to the brick siding. You do not want big heads on your screws, you want flat heads . Some individuals will counter sink the screw heads for a flat surface on the frame. As with the window frames, paint the wood and let it dry. Use a good enamel paint for outdoor use. Use paint color that matches your house trim.

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Now you are ready to hang your awning. First use your tape measure and a carpenters pencil to mark where your awning will go. Use a chalk line for a straight line if you need to. Now before you secure it to the building, get two people to hold it in place so that you can mark where you will drill. While they hold it in place, set a level on the top of the awning close to the building and see that it is level.

Once you have done this. Secure the awning at the top first. The side braces will fit against the wall or window frame as you anchor the top in place. Again use the level to double check straightness. Now secure the side braces to the frame with screws.

Your next step is to take a caulk gun with clear caulking and caulk the inside of the awning to the frame. This will help prevent water from rotting out the screw holes. Next do the same on the outside of the awning. Wipe away the excess.

A retractable awning usually doesn’t weigh as much as a solid awning. It is always rolled up and attached and then unrolled. It’s frame is attached to the window frame first and then unrolled by hand. You can leave it unrolled or roll it up as you need to.

You can find window awnings at local home improvement stores, Lowe’s, or Home Depot. In some cases, if you decide to go with custom made awnings it may take sometime before they are manufactured for you.

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One last safety tip. Do not use aluminum ladders around or even near power lines. Borrow your neighbors wooden ladders if you don’t have one. A lot of older homes have power lines attached above window areas, especially on the corner of homes.