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Awning Windows

If one wants to let light and air into a room, but does not want to take the chance at letting rain or snow in as well, awning windows are a perfect solution. These windows, that are hinged at the top and swing outward, leaving a space beneath and to both sides of the glass pane, are ideal for getting all of the fresh air into a room that one desires. They will still keep the rain out, as the window will be tilted at an angle when opened, and will then act as a sort of roof over the open space. These are often used in kitchens and bathrooms, as both of these places can have an abundance of smells that one will want to let out, and will not want to only have this option in the summer months. In kitchens, they are often found behind sinks, where they can still be opened with just a slight reach. No matter where one wants to install them, awning windows provide an excellent option for any room in any home, and the owner is sure not to be disappointed once the windows are installed.

Awning Window Installation

The first step is installation, which can be done by a trained professional or by a homeowner. One will need to remove the old window, or clear the space if a brand new window is being created. The wood framework will then need to be checked to be sure that it is still sturdy and not broken or rotted in any way. Any old nails will have to be pulled out, and then the flashing should be put up; one needs to be sure to overlap the pieces of flashing with each other, as they will perform better this way. Silicone caulking can be used to connect the flashing to the frame. Next, one will have to dry fit the awning windows, one at a time, to be sure that they fit. If so, take the window out and put more caulking in, this time to hold the window to the frame. Slide the window back into place, and check to be sure that it is flush and level. If so, one can nail the window into place. If not, the window may need to be braced up until it is flush and fits the opening; alternatively, the opening itself could be altered in size.

Replacement Awning Windows

When replacing awning windows, one can take the process much as described above. There are many great replacement awning windows on the market, and they have smaller jamb sizes so as to fit into holes already cut for other windows. These compact windows can often be used alone, or they can be coupled with a casement to make a more robust design. The most important thing to remember when shopping for replacement windows is that one cannot get windows that are large than those being replaced -- in fact, it is often better to buy the smaller windows, as the frames can be altered on the house to make them fit. When installing them, one must remember to get all of the old nails or screws out of the way, as they can inhibit the new awning windows, and also to check the frame for breaks and rot that can later ruin a replacement window.

Awning Windows Repair

If one does not want to replace some awning windows entirely, one can repair the existing windows instead. The first step here is identification of the problem; perhaps the hinges are rusted shut, or perhaps the locking mechanism will not work. One should remove the window to work on it, after the appropriate parts have been ordered. This way, one does not damage the frame or the window pane while trying to fix it. Some problems are easy to fix, and will not require replacement parts. If the hinges are rusty, for example, a good grease or oil can be used to loosen them back up again. If the frame around the window has cracked, wood glue or caulk can be used to patch the break, and then can be painted over.

Awning Window Parts

If one does need new parts, many of them can be purchased separately to avoid replacing the entire window. A new pane can easily be bought on its own, and then installed in the old frame. New hinges can be bought if they have broken or rusted so far as to be unusable; when applying the new hinges, one may want to remove the window pane from the frame. This way, an errant screw, nail, or tool will not strike the pane and cause it to crack. An awning window operator can also be purchased on its own. These can need replacement after some time simply because of the amount of use that they get, with people turning the handle to crank the window open and then closed again. There are a number of smaller parts as well, such as screws, bolts, nails, and locks, that are all needed to keep the window safe and secure at all times. Some of these smaller parts, like the bolts, will need to be used in the installation of the larger parts, like the crank operator or the window pane.

Awning Window Operator

An awning window operator is the small crank on the bottom of the window that can be turned to open the window. Because they open outward and upward, awning windows are very hard to push open by hand, and many are no longer even equipped with this capability; they use the operator and nothing else. This crank has a gear shaft that turns and an arm that one uses to turn it. They can vary in length, and one should select the one that is the best combination of usability and looks -- if the awning windows are behind a sink or some other obstruction, for example, one will want to have the operator arm be long enough to reach and turn, but not so long that it sticks out into the room and proves to be an eyesore. There are other arms thatstretch out and hook to the front edge of the window frame, the edge that is pushed up and down. These can be replaced if they break without having to replace the entire window.

Awning Window Hardware

There are a lot of little pieces of hardware that are required for the installation and repair of awning windows. Nails are sometimes used to attach the frames to the windows, and can also be used to attach replacement windows to casements. Screws are sometimes used for this purpose as well, as they can be taken out and put in more easily, and leave a cleaner hole with less chance of breaking. New operators may have to be purchased, and with them the screws used to attached them to the windows. Hinges are a common part to need, and there are other bits of hardware needed to attach them both to the window itself and to the upper edge of the frame -- generally, screws are used for this purpose as well, screws that are small enough to fit the job and large enough to hold the weight of the awning windows against the house. If the window has a locking mechanism, that too could need to be replaced and have to be purchased along with screws to hold it tightly in place. The operators, or cranks, are by far the most sought-after pieces of hardware, as they can break with time and use and render an otherwise perfect set of awning windows completely useless. To go along with them, extensions may need to be purchased if one wants the window to open farther than previously possible. Repair bolts and bushing may be needed for the places on the awning windows that use these, instead of screws, to fasten them in place; this can vary from one style to the next.

Awning Window Prices

As far as price are concerned, they depend largely on the size of the awning windows. Many of the awning windows are four feet, and even this varies quite a lot in terms of price. This can depend on things like color choice and quality of glass. There are awning windows available for just over four hundred dollars, and others available for just over a thousand dollars. As can be seen, this is quite a discrepancy. Awning windows that are two feet in length, providing for a taller, more slender look, can drop down in price to just over or under two hundred dollars. Naturally, windows can vary drastically in price depending on how fancy the frames are, how well insulated they are, and a number of other factors. But for a base price for typical awning windows, one should consider four-foot windows to cost in the ballpark of four hundred dollars, while two-foot windows will cost closer to two hundred dollars.

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