Weather Pro manufactures vinyl awning windows in Canada and installs them with our own crews. An awning window hinges at the top and opens outward from the bottom, so it can stay open in light rain. Each unit is built to the measured opening rather than to a stock size, with double- or triple-pane glass and a full colour range inside and out. Every window is ENERGY STAR certified and covered by a transferable lifetime warranty.
What is an awning window
An awning window is hinged along the top edge and opens outward from the bottom on a crank. The open sash sits over the opening like a small roof, which is where the name comes from: fresh air comes in underneath while the glass keeps rain out.
Our awning windows open up to 45 degrees on stainless steel hinges, so the room can be ventilated even during light rain. When closed, a double-point locking system pulls the sash tight against the frame for a secure seal.
Awning windows are usually chosen where ventilation matters more than the view: above kitchen counters, in bathrooms and in basement openings. They are often combined with a fixed unit above or beside them to bring in more light.
Where awning windows work best
The top hinge and the outward opening make awning windows the usual choice for three kinds of openings.
Above kitchen counters
The crank sits at the bottom of the sash, within reach across a counter, and the window can be left open while cooking without letting rain in.
Bathrooms
A small awning high in the wall gives ventilation and privacy at the same time, and the sash can stay open in wet weather.
Basement openings
Basement windows are wide and low. An awning uses that shape well, opens without swinging into a window well, and keeps rain out of the opening.
Awning window sizes
There is no standard awning size in Canadian replacement work. Every unit is manufactured to the measured opening, because openings in existing homes are rarely square and almost never identical. What does exist is a set of common size bands, and knowing which band your opening falls into is enough to plan a project.
| Band | Approximate opening |
|---|---|
| Small | up to 24 by 36 inches |
| Medium | up to 36 by 60 inches |
| Large | over 36 by 60 inches |
An awning sash is wider than it is tall, and the hinges carry its full weight when open. Beyond a practical width we build two awnings side by side or an awning under a fixed unit rather than a single oversized sash. Our estimator confirms the configuration on site.
Why awning windows suit the Canadian climate
The frame and sash are fusion-welded at the corners for strength and to stop air infiltration. Hidden drainage channels in front of the exterior sash carry water away instead of letting it collect, and the co-extruded flexible seal on the sash, backed by a secondary seal, keeps leaks out.
Every awning we build is a vinyl window manufactured in Canada, with a multi-chamber profile that adds insulating air pockets within the frame, adds strength and reduces condensation. Vinyl does not rot, does not need painting, and conducts far less heat than an aluminum frame through a Canadian winter.
Glass packages are double-pane with a low-e coating and argon fill as standard, or triple-pane with a third pane and a second sealed cavity for lower heat loss and reduced outside noise. The Super Spacer with a dual seal and the quad weather-strip system add to the thermal performance. Both packages are available ENERGY STAR certified for the climate zone the window is sold into.
Awning window installation
Awning window installation is measured, manufactured and fitted by Weather Pro crews rather than subcontracted trades. Two things get decided during the measurement, and both are easier to change before manufacture than after.
Retrofit or full frame
A retrofit keeps the existing sound frame. A full-frame replacement goes back to the rough opening and is required when the frame has rot or the opening has shifted.
Screens
Awning screens sit inside the frame because the sash opens outward. That is the opposite of a slider, and it surprises most homeowners.
Most replacement projects are completed in a single day, and the transferable lifetime warranty is active from the day of installation.
Colours and finishes
White is the standard finish. Exterior colours and laminate finishes are available across the full range, and the interior can be finished differently from the exterior where the room calls for it.
The colour either runs through the vinyl profile or is applied as an exterior laminate, so it is not paint sitting on a surface. That means no repainting, no flaking and no chalky finish after a few Canadian winters.
A few things worth knowing before you choose:
- Most homeowners match the exterior to the soffit or the trim rather than the siding, since the frame reads as trim from the street.
- A white interior with a coloured exterior is the most common combination.
- Woodgrain interior laminates suit rooms that already have stained trim.
- Darker laminates absorb more solar heat, which matters on large south and west facing units.
- Crank handles and locks come in a matching finish.