Climate Guard aluminum awningsAluminum awnings deserve our modern-day respect. Global warming is really a scary prospect. And, energy prices have everyone worried. I try to follow environmental and energy issues as they pertain to homes, and while technologies like solar cells and wind turbines sound very sexy, I don’t see any evidence that they make economic sense yet. Moreover: Our “first fuel” is: Conservation.
That’s where awnings come in. Properly placed, these old-time solutions — low tech common sense! — can reduce heat gain into your interior and reduce the need for air conditioning. I believe there is even a science to placement of the awning canopy, in that you want to block sunlight from penetrating windows in the summer and maximize it in the winter (passive solar gain).
Here is what a 1994 Department of Energy study had to say about the efficacy of window awnings to conserve energy:
Although their effectiveness can be affected by many factors including location, climate, window size, and glass type, the energy efficiency advantages of awnings are clear. According to the Department of Energy, awnings can reduce heat gain up to 65% in south facing windows and up to 77% on windows facing east. Awnings reduce stress on existing air conditioning systems, and make it possible to install new HVAC systems with smaller capacity, thus saving purchasing and operating costs. Air conditioners need to work less hard, less often. When used with air conditioners, awnings can lower the cost of cooling a building by up to 25%.*
I did the google thing and found a number of other aluminum awning manufacturers across the country. Alas, I can not tell you how to differentiate quality. I am guessing “gauge” — but then there also is assembly, hardware and paint quality, not to mention service, price and warranty. Ummm: Buy locally, so you can see what you’re getting and have someone to stare down if there is a problem?
Here are links to other companies that manufacture (and usually also install) their own awnings… I did NOT try to capture dealers.:
- ClimateGuard aluminum awnings in Chicago looks like a big company, with local manufacturing.
- Standard Awning in Northeastern Pennsylvania has been in business since 1948, woot!
- Ballews Aluminum Products was founded in 1958, and has manufacturing in three southern states.
- Looks like you can get a lot of NuImage products at Home Depot.
- West Coast Awning in Northridge, Calif., designs, manufacturers and installs aluminum awnings.
- Crossworld Awning Company is in the Cleveland area. I am unclear whether they are a manufacturer. They also will remove than repaint existing awnings. Gosh: Maintaining something rather than just throwing it away and buying new; what a concept.
- Kohler Awning in the Buffalo area. Not sure if they are a manufacturer, but they look to be a longtimer.
- General Awnings looks to be an aggregator of various designs, with an easy-to-view website.
- There may be more… I ran out of energy after three pages of search. If you know of another company, leave it as a Comment, and we’ll work to build a comprehensive national list. Thank you!!
These aluminum awnings are not cheap. Patient bargain hunters can:
- Watch for new neighbors who rip theirs out.
- Re-Store and salvage places — take your measurements now, and keep them with you.
Janice J says
I just came across this post while looking for aluminum doors.
For readers in Southwest Ontario, there is a company still doing
aluminum awnings. They have re-skinned the awning for our front
porch and it will be reinstalled soon.
It is Bakker Aluminum and they have been around since 1962.
I will post a photo when it is put up.
http://bakkeraluminum.com/
Janice
Scott says
I was toying with the idea of maybe doing a third color with mine to make it a little more exciting without getting too far away from the original look.
Like instead of just white and green I am toying with the idea of white with a green and a blue stripe. Or maybe white with a green and a yellow. Might need to play around with it in Photoshop too see if it looks scary or not. Unlike the examples in the photos above my sections all run vertical instead of horizontal so I am thinking it just might work. To keep it from getting to crazy I am going to try to stick with colors from the original palette.
Then again I might do a solid. No masking. 🙂
Scott says
Is there any other black in your exterior? If not what about some combo using the Terra Cotta or Autumn Brown with a Ivory or Cream accent (whichever goes with your siding best).
I’m considering painting mine instead of replacing them to tide me over until next year, or perhaps a bit longer depending on how good they look.
Mike says
Good call scotty. I kind of wanted to just do something bold, off the wall, but you may be right just try and blend them in. They’re so old too I’m afraid if I take them off to paint them I won’t be able to get them back up again, or mount them properly back into the brick. They are fairly large too, wonder how heavy they would be.
Mike Hunt says
I have old school metal awnings on my wartime bungalow they were a crappy fadded white with orange stripes. I painted them dark blue, half assed. Couldn’t reach the top. Now I want to repaint again. Any tips for colour schemes? Cream siding, brown gutters, reddish brick. Maybe all black with a few white stripes?
hugh tenore says
need metal awning 7ft wide 10ft long pitch about 4 on 12 will fit between two walls enterance to front door
pam kueber says
hugh, you need to contact the companies listed in the story. we don’t sell anything here…
bobbi c. says
Our 1930 cottage has all the original awnings (photo on my blog). Some are wooden, and some are aluminum. Not sure which company made them, though. We would have fried this summer without them to help shade the interior of the house!
Everybody wants to know if I’m going to remove them. I said NO WAY! I do want to paint them, maybe, to protect them, but otherwise, they’re staying.
bobbi c.
Two Sisters Cottage
Taylor, tX
Sally Blue says
I knew you’d lead us in the right direction! We are trying to find a different aluminum sun-buster: the fabulous carport. Most we’ve located look like they belong on a farm or an office building. But several of these companies offer just the retro-charm we need for our place. Look at this beauty by Kool Metal!
[link broken]
Lee says
My grandmother’s little house in West Palm had aluminum awnings that were hinged, and held up by adjustable support poles attached to the house. That way, they could be lowered to cover the windows during hurricanes. A quick google maps check shows they’re still there.
Patty says
Do you use anything special to clean your awnings or aluminum doors?
Josie says
I had a vintage garden book that extolled the “well placed deciduous shade tree – leafy in summer, allows sun to stream in in winter” – that’s probably the most eco-sensitive, if you have a front yard and depending what you plant. 🙂
And dogwoods come in Mamie pink!
pam kueber says
Yes! Properly placed trees are a fantastic solution. Thank you for the addition, I should do a post just on this!
Lauryn says
So, so true, but those properly placed shade trees can take decades to do grow large enough to offer that benefit, so awnings, shutters, and/or insulated drapes are a good in-the-meantime solution (insulated drapes are a really affordable alternative to more expensive awnings and shutters). We are still mourning the death of a magnificent 100 year old sugar maple in our front yard; we’ve planted several new trees, but they are a good many years off from blessing our little house with shade.
Josie says
True. Of course it depends what you plant, and your climate. For first-floor windows you can get good effect from some fairly quick-growing trees – especially if you are willing to spend a bit more to get saplings that are a little older. But not all species are willing to cooperate with that. Maples and Atlas cedars take sooo much longer than the big potted fruit trees or birch clumps or those decorative flowering pears you see everywhere. You’ll have the maple longer though, in the end. And I am rather fond of steel blue Atlas cedar in front of Mid-C houses.
I know many older men back in PA who had trellises/arbors/pergolas for vines though, and those can be FAST. 🙂