Awning Windows

Awning windows are hinged at the top and open outward from the bottom. That simple geometry solves a problem most windows can’t: you can leave them open in light rain without water getting in. In New Orleans, where afternoon showers drop without warning and the humidity makes ventilation a daily need, awning windows earn their keep.

Why the Hinge Position Matters

When an awning window opens, the sash tilts out and acts like a small awning over the opening. Rain hits the glass and runs off to the sides. A standard double hung or sliding window left open in a passing shower means wet floors. An awning window stays open.

That ventilation flexibility is especially useful in bathrooms, laundry rooms, and kitchens where you need airflow consistently, not just on perfect weather days. You set it open in the morning and leave it, even if the weather turns by afternoon.

Common Uses for Awning Windows

• Above kitchen counters or sinks where you want fresh air while cooking
• High on bathroom walls for ventilation with full privacy
• Paired below a fixed picture window for a combination that ventilates without changing the view
• Basements or below-grade spaces where sideways clearance is limited

Security and Ventilation Together

Awning windows opened only a few inches still allow significant airflow. Unlike a double hung window cracked open enough for a person to reach through, an awning window at 4 inches of opening is too narrow to be a security concern. For ground-floor rooms where you want air without vulnerability, that matters.

Tight Seal When Closed

Like casement windows, awning windows compress against the frame on all four sides when closed and latched. The result is one of the tightest seals in residential windows. In terms of air infiltration and weatherproofing, awning windows perform at the top of their class.

Pairing Awning Windows with Fixed Glass

A popular configuration in this area: a large fixed picture window for the view, with an awning unit below or alongside for ventilation. You get the clean, unobstructed glass of a picture window with the practical airflow of an operable window. It’s a common choice in living rooms and master bedrooms where the view matters but so does the breeze.

Energy Performance

Awning windows with Low-E glass and argon fill reduce solar heat gain and resist air infiltration better than most sliding-type windows. For a home in Metairie or Kenner that runs the AC 8 months a year, improved window performance directly reduces your utility bill.

Want awning windows installed in your home? Call (504) 384-8165 or request a free estimate. We serve all of Greater New Orleans.