Are you looking for aluminum awnings to keep your house cooler? Check out my list of 14 places that make and sell aluminum awnings across the country — more than a few of these companies have been in business making retro-authentic aluminum awnings for decades!
Aluminum awnings are an old-fashioned, low-tech solution to keeping your house cooler
What did folks do before electrified air conditioning? One solution was that they put awnings. For much of the 20th century, aluminum awnings were popular. And yes, you can still still get these low-tech solutions to keeping cool. Above: When Scott improved the curb appeal of his house, one of the things he did was add an aluminum awning over his windows and the front door. Awnings over a front door are great for rain protection, too!
- And do you love Scott’s front door? See our list of 14 places to buy or DIY a mid century modern front door to scope out one of your own!
Occasionally I follow environmental and energy issues as they pertain to homes. There are lots of new, technological solutions out there, but I continue to read that 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). Talk with your pro about this!
How much money do aluminum awnings save on energy costs?
Here is what a 1994 Department of Energy study had to say about the efficacy of window awnings to conserve energy [link now broken]:
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%.*
Where to buy aluminum awnings
Here are links to other companies that manufacture (which often or may also install) their own awnings.
- ClimateGuard aluminum awnings in Chicago looks like a big company, with local manufacturing.
- General Metals and Plastics in Jacksonville, Florida, in business since 1965. Manufactured in-shop and can include scallops 🙂
- T&M Home Improvement in Detroit has been in business since 1962 and its website says they can do lots of retro looks. Thanks to reader Holly for this 2022 tip!
- Weather Whipper Awnings, based in Davenport, Iowa, is a manufacturer with dealers throughout the Midwest. In business since 1968.
- Standard Awning in Northeastern Pennsylvania has been in business since 1948.
- Dura-Bilt Products has been manufacturing aluminum products since 1958. Note, it seems you will need to ask them for a dealer in your area.
- Ballews Aluminum Products was founded in 1958, and has manufacturing in three southern states.
- Silver-Top has been in business since 1947.
- 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 manufactures awnings and also carries some products from other manufacturers, the company confirmed with me. Nicely done, easy-to-view website.
- Style-Rite Aluminum Awnings does business in the Columbus, Ohio area, it seems. Scott (photo at top) used them. In business since 1952!
- There may be more… I ran out of energy after three pages of search. If you know of another company, send me a Contact email (link at bottom of website), and I’ll work to add it! Thank you!
These aluminum awnings are not necessarily cheap, and I can’t speak to ‘payback time’ – another thing to calculate.
Although getting an exact match for the size(s) you need, patient bargain hunters may also try:
- Watch for new neighbors who rip theirs out.
- Re-Store, salvage places, Facebook Marketplace, craigslist — take your measurements now, and have them at the ready
- And remember, old products and their layers may contain hazards — such as lead paint. For more info see our page Be Safe / Renovate Safe.
RAnderson says
We love the 8′ wide aluminum awning over the picture window in our 1955 MCModest ranch! The window faces due west so our awning is a huuuge help keeping cool in the summer!
We’re also going hi-tech by installing solar panels this year, improvements to PV panels the last few years have been major, they are now quite cost effective, return on expenditure being far better than investing at current low interest rates… I urge everyone to check them out while the feds are rebating 35% of the cost!
Martha says
Hi Pam,
In south Florida these awnings were used to cut back on the sun and heat and were also used for hurricane protection, when lowered completely they cover the window and protect the glass from winds and flying debris. My 1960 house has them on the south and east facing sides. I recently had my house painted and was told I should get rid of them. No way, I had the awnings repainted to match the house and they look brand new! Nowadays, I have hurricane windows installed, however, it’s amazing how much the shutters cut out heat and glare, plus they give the house an additional architectural feature!
AnnF says
I have been thinking about awnings for a long time — maybe next year — yet I am surprised at the number of people who see them on houses and ask, “What are those THINGS on the window?”
Barbara says
Proper placement is the key. We had one over our front door but had to get rid of it. There was something wrong with how the rain water coming off the roof hit it and drained off. The excess water caused our front steps to crumble and we had to have them rebuilt.
Heidi E. says
Hmm. I have air conditioning, and my home is technically a bit later than mid-century. But it gets insanely hot compared to the outdoor temps and I have had to run the AC much earlier in the season than I expected to. This is definitely something to consider.
Pam Kueber says
Perhaps you need more insulation in the attic? When we moved in, we were able to get a free energy use assessment for our house. We beefed up the insulation — it was subsidized by the program, too.
Heidi E. says
Well, the home inspector said the attic insulation was excellent before I bought the house, but I suppose more( or a second opinion) couldn’t hurt. I think a lot of the problem is that the front of the house is a dark coffee-colored, almost black, matte-finish brick, with a black metal storm door that actually blistered my hand the first time I approached it incautiously. Painted brick looks weird, and I don’t really want to dramatically alter the exterior, but this house was definitely built with the dead of winter in mind by someone who forgot that our summers are equally extreme.
Karin says
My parents’ 1956 MC Modest house didn’t have these, but almost every other house in the neighborhood sported a set of awnings. Many came in nifty color combos like turquoise and white. Electricity costs are going through the roof (literally) here in Toronto, Canada. There’s a reason they’re still in use by current owners. They look cute on the houses too.
Carolyn says
I always thought a house was “done” when they had awnings, they just add that extra something to the facade.
We got two from a friend tearing them off and used the smaller for over the service door. The big one over the DR windows allows me to keep the drapes open most of the day. You wouldn’t think that little bit would make a difference but it really does work with the passive solar.
I think the only reason I’d permanently remove good awnings was if a tree now provided the shade.
Barbara says
Love…those awnings!
We all had them on our houses.
No air conditioning is correct. And, we all had full size basements. Which we spent days and nights in when it really got hot. Best air conditioning ever!!
Cooking the meals for the family was dealt with outside. My family and neighbors had some serious strategies when it came to dealing with the heat.
I still do it the same way they did, today. But, without the awnings. If I didn’t live in a ranch, that has a 3 ft. overhang around the entire house, you would see those gems covering my windows. No air conditioning!
As far as passive solar energy, it’s going on 24 years now. It’s easy when you bought a house that already faces south. And it works!!
Also, you might want to try cooking some meals outside using only the sun. It’s amazing!
Thanks Pamela for the info!
Barbara
p.s. No: air conditioning
micowave
TV
Emma says
We’ve purchased the DIY awnings from Craft-Bilt for our mc modest house. They have terrific customer service, the awnings are beautiful and easy to install. So glad you posted this today, as we’ve been trying to find option for our kitchen window which is too tight for a stationary awning. A good reminder that Craft-Bilt has the roll-ups that should work. Yay!
Dan says
We lived in a wonderful MCM house in New Mexico that had what you might consider a “built-in” awning; an overhang over the bank of south facing windows that was at just the right angle to block the high summer sun but let in the lower winter sun. It was a low tech solution that made a remarkable difference in cooling the house.
Pam Kueber says
Yes, a well-designed house can include this feature. Architects can calculate overhangs to take best advantage of the sun in all or most seasons, as I understand it! A so-called “passive solar” design feature now.