Thankfully, there are a number of outdoor decorative items that are also highly useful. Window awnings, from Maryland to Los Angeles, happen to find themselves in this group. If you want protection from the sun and heat, and a way to spice up your house’s exterior with some class, then window awnings are the way to go.

Window awnings can be made out of a wide range of materials, from copper to fabric. Metal window awnings, especially aluminum window awnings, are known for their durability and long life span, while fabric awnings are known for the large selection of designs and colors in which they come; fabric awnings are aesthetically pleasing, besides being functional, and will add class and elegance to your windows.

Though awnings are not cheap, they can be worthwhile investments. If chosen properly, the right window awnings become not only important decorative accessories, but assume the function of providing shade to the home and an effective long-term solution regarding energy efficiency and savings.

Indeed, it has been estimated that about 40% of the unwanted heat that raises the temperature in your home on hot days is a result of heat entering through your windows. In the summer, window awnings are able to maintain temperatures between eight and fifteen degrees cooler. For windows facing south, awnings are actually capable of reducing heat by about 65%, while windows facing west can see a reduction of heat by about 77%. This means that you can run your AC less and save on energy bills.

You can find window awnings of various types, such as retractable window awnings (like BAT window awnings), stationary, and freestanding awnings, those with open sides and those with closed sides. All have their own advantages and disadvantages and preference is usually a matter of personal taste. Some homeowners choose to shade one window, or each window of their house, with an individual awning, while others have one large awning custom-made to shade the entire side of the house.

It is required that you mount window awnings on a window frame or exterior wall, which is necessary to keep it level and sturdy. Awnings generally project about half the size of the height of the window, though this can vary. Ask an awning manufacturer about the details for your specific needs. Actually, you should ask information from various manufacturers and installation companies to see who makes you more comfortable and who offers you the best deal; check customer reviews and the Internet for the reputation of the companies from which you’re thinking of buying. Make sure to check into warranty agreements.

Also check the manufacturer’s policies regarding aluminum awning and window repair parts, aluminum awning and window replacement, or a replacement awning for a window of another material; don’t forget to ask the price of the various awning replacement and window mounting services and the price of each awning part replacement for your window type.

Metal or canvas window awnings were the most common types of awnings traditionally; these materials, though, have the disadvantage of having to be re-covered every five to seven years. The synthetic fabrics of which modern awnings are made, such as acrylic and polyvinyl laminates, are water-repellant and treated to make them resistant to mildew and fading and so are quite durable. No matter what choice of fabric you go with, it’s a good idea to choose an opaque and tightly woven one; a light-colored awning is capable of reflecting more sunlight and therefore of keeping your house cooler.

For a window facing south, a small, horizontal awning will provide complete shade. For a window facing east or west, however, you’ll need to install an awning that extends down to cover a large part of the window. Venetian awnings, which are sideless awnings, can be adjusted according to the changing angle of the sun, though these types of awnings are ineffective at blocking the direct sunlight that hits windows facing south. In this case, hood awnings with sides are needed, as these block out additional sun. Hip awnings are effective at shading casement windows (that project outward).

And finally, the “awning” effect has also become a window design. An awning window, such as an Andersen awning window, indeed, is a window that is hinged at the top and opens outward, usually with screen on the interior. The glass protects the opening of the window when the window is open, much as an awning protects against the rain. If you are shopping around for an awning window, make sure you ask about awning window replacement gaskets, general awning window replacement services, and the price of a replacement awning window.