Discover the Best Type, 3 Key Benefits, Selection Tips, Ordering and Installation Information
Regardless of the season, it’s always a good time to beautify your outdoor space with window awnings, which are set up to control the amount of light and air that come in and out of your home. They add an aesthetic appeal to your property while increasing the sustainability of your home.
Window awnings, or window canopies as they are also known, can increase the value of your home – these stylish outdoor window awnings add to your curb appeal and create a pleasing feature to your residence that can be enjoyed for years to come.
Jump to a section:
- What Are Window Awnings?
- 3 Key Benefits of Window Canopies
- Types of Window Awnings
- Choosing Your Window Awnings
- Measuring For Your Window Awnings
- Ordering a Window Canopy / Window Awning Kit
- Tips When Installing a Window Canopy or Door Canopy
- Door Canopies
- Why Choose Lyrebird Enterprises for Your Window Awnings and Door Canopies?
- Our Mission Statement
What Are Window Awnings?
Window awnings open outwards, with vertical slats designed to control the amount of air and light, while excluding rain. Lyrebird Enterprises specialises in solid pine window canopies that offer protection from the outside elements. They come in different window canopy kits to suit your window specifications and your exterior needs.
Although they are generally referred to as window awnings, they are also known as window canopies, window shades, sun awnings, verandah awnings, and even awnings for windows, among many other terms. They all describe the same thing: a feature that is a beautiful fit for your home that offers protection against the elements.
The window awnings that Lyrebird Enterprises offer give you many choices as to how to beautify and update the outside of your home, while ensuring all the benefits that new window coverings afford when it comes to temperature regulation.
3 Key Benefits of Window Canopies
Before we jump into the types of Window Canopies or Window Awnings, let’s first take a look at three key benefits:
- Sustainably decrease cooling and heating bills
- Protect many assets in your home from the sun – including some that you may not have thought of before!
- Add charm and value to your home quickly and inexpensively
“External shading is much more effective at keeping your home cool than internal blinds or curtains”
Sustainability Victoria
1. Sustainably Decrease Cooling and Heating Bills
If you’ve ever experienced fluctuations with your heating and cooling bills, home awnings can serve to regulate and lower these costs by providing great coverage for your outside area. By keeping your rooms cooler in summer and warmer in winter, you have better control over your environment by being better able to regulate your heating and cooling use. By having more control over when you turn your heating and cooling devices on and off, you are better able to control your usage and the amount of money you spend as a result.
When you install house awnings, you are regulating the temperature, which can greatly affect your monthly gas and electricity bills. By having more control over the hot and cold air that comes into your home, window canopies serve as a way for you to control the temperature in your home. Really hot days will no longer require you to increase the air conditioning, just as really cold days will not require you to increase the heating in your home. When there is a nice rainy day, and you would like the cool breeze to be able to come into your home without worrying about letting water in, window canopies afford you the protection you need.
“Window awnings reduce the cooling energy 23 – 24 percent compared to a completely unshaded case”
University of Minnesota
2. Protect Many Assets in Your Home From the Sun
Not only can window canopies increase the value of your home with their external appearance, but you can save money by protecting what is inside your home. Especially artwork is difficult, costly and sometimes impossible to replace – let window canopies be the extra and cost-effective next layer of protection for both the outside and inside of your home.
Did you know that window awnings can protect against ultraviolet (UV) damage? The UV light that comes through your windows can damage your walls, furniture, rugs and artwork. Faded couches and other affected items could be a thing of the past when you install sun awnings. Curtains can also be the first to suffer damage from the sun, and our window awnings offer a fast, easy and cost-effective solution that will protect them against fading and premature wear.
Another great feature is that of protecting your windows against dirt that naturally accumulates over time when windows are exposed to weather and the elements. No one likes cleaning windows, and that chore can be greatly alleviated by installing window awnings from Lyrebird. Our fantastic range offers you a myriad of possibilities in protecting your home against unwanted grime. Additionally, you will be able to extend the life of your windowsills and frames, as they won’t be subject to weather elements as much as they would be if you did not have outdoor canopies.
An added benefit to installing window canopies may not be so obvious at first but can turn out to be a great advantage to your property. Did you know that over time, water can wear away at the foundation to your house, creating damage and wear and tear along the way? Inexpensive window awnings can add to your home value, as they will deflect potentially harmful rain away from your home. Your windowsills will also be protected from premature cracking or flaking with your window canopies.
Do you like to garden and watch over delicate plants, but find they require too much care and attention due to the weather? Well, window canopies can offer protection against the rain and other elements, allowing you to curate the garden of your dreams! Feel free to choose more interesting or delicate plants your next time at the nursery, secure in the knowledge that your window awnings will offer the protection you need.
3. Add Charm and Value to Your Home Quickly and Inexpensively
When you are upgrading any element of your home, it can often raise the value of the property. The advantage of installing exterior window awnings is that it is a simple and cheap way to add to the beaty and value of your home. Installation can take as little as one hour to install a window canopy that will add an impressive feature to your home that is both practical and visually appealing.
Instead of having labourers coming out and spending hours installing a feature to improve the look of your home while raising its value, window awnings from Lyrebird can do the same and you’re the one in charge! When you order window canopies from Lyrebird, we will send you a window canopy / window awning kit, and it can take you as little as an hour to install! We will include complete list of instructions to make installing your window canopies a simple and easy process that can be completed in a very short amount of time, letting you get on with the process of enjoying this great new feature to your home.
Types of Window Awnings
Although there are different types of window awning materials used, Lyrebird has found that timber ones are the best in terms of durability, longevity and appearance. Fabric ones look great at first, but tend to wear over time, whereas the timber ones will last and last, and tend to complement your home better than other types of canopy awnings.
Lyrebird’s window awnings are made using radiata pine and treated with Light Organic Solvent Preservative (LOSP) to H3 level (protection for components above the ground), to resist rotting and borers.
As a bit of background on the radiata pine used in our window awnings: In the southern hemisphere, where pines are to a large extent absent, radiata pine is the most commonly planted and cultivated pine and is grown in plantations. It is known for working well with both hand and machine tools and is also known for its beautiful sheen once finished. You will find with the window canopies from Lyrebird, that radiata pine is the perfect material for our attractive, sustainable and cost-effective window awnings.
If you ever find you are running into difficulty when installing your window awnings, you can contact us for phone assistance.
Choosing Your Window Awnings
When choosing your window awnings, you will need to look at the design of your home and choose a window canopy that is complimentary in style. There are many choices of window awnings to choose from on our website. Pick the one that is right for you and begin the journey of adding value to your residence!
No matter what your outside requirements are when it comes to window shades, Lyrebird will assist you in picking a window canopy kit for the area you are interested in covering. Will the kids be splashing around in the pool this summer? Imagine sitting in your outdoor lounge with a beautiful outdoor winding awning over you as cover, relaxing as you watch them in perfect comfort.
We have a wide selection of our window awnings on our website. If you are having trouble choosing, you can contact one of our professionals to help you on choosing your design and colour.
Measuring for your window awning specifications is important, as we want to ensure the most professional fit possible. We provide different types of window awning kits that come with 2 x window canopy brackets, battens and fascia plate (if applicable), roofing iron in your choice of BHP colourbond colours, top and side flashings, all necessary bolts and screws, and installation assistance in the form of full installation instructions and phone support if required.
Measuring For Your Window Awnings
Here are the basics about measuring for your window canopies:
- Measure the length of the verandah along the house, and width from the house to the outside of the verandah beam.
- Measure the height against the wall of the house.
- A drawing or sketch is very helpful. For example, does the verandah go around a corner? Also, a photo can be quite helpful.
Lyrebird window and door canopy kits cover windows and doors to the following widths: 750, 1100, 1600, 1900, 2300, 2700 and 3200mm. For the bullnose and half-bullnose canopies, the widths are 1450, 2300, 3000, 3700.
It is of the utmost importance that Lyrebird receive the exact measurements for your window canopies. Follow the instructions below to ensure precise measuring:
- Match your width to the widths listed above. For example, if your window frame is 2300mm wide, then specify a 2300mm wide kit when you place your order. The width of the kit refers to the internal dimension between the brackets.
- If you prefer to locate the end brackets away from the window frame, order the next width up.
- For window frames wider than 3200mm, it’s important that you ensure there is a place where an additional middle / central bracket can be fixed to the wall or window frame.
Ordering a Window Canopy / Window Awning Kit
When ordering your window canopy kit from Lyrebird Enterprises, please have the following information at hand:
- How wide is your window frame? – Make sure that you’ve read through the measuring guidelines above before placing your order.
- What will it be attached to? – Please let us know if the window canopy is going to be attached to a brick or timber wall, so that we can provide you with the appropriate fixings.
- Which type of fascia plate will look best on your window canopy – Dentil, Scroll or Straight?
**Please note that we recommend MINI ORB® for the roofing, because the regular corrugated looks rather bulky across a short distance. However, the Bullnose and Half-bullnose roofing can only be regular corrugated.
Some info about MINI ORB®: it is subtly corrugated steel cladding in an elegant profile which is suitable for use in interior or exterior applications, on straight or curved surfaces. MINI ORB® features the traditional corrugated profile, but on a much-reduced scale.
What Colour Colorbond Would you Like?
When choosing your new stylish window canopy or door canopy for your house, we want to be sure that you have all the colour choices possible to make an informed decision. Your window awning colour choice can be bold and add a pop of colour to your home, or be in the more neutral palate, offering a subtle and classic finish to your home…or any choice in-between!
The colour of your window canopy roof and flashing can be made from the BHP Colorbond colour chart, which offers a sizable selection The colour choices give you the creative flexibility to make your window awning unique.
Miniorb or ripple iron, or standard corrugated iron are available in many Colorbond colours. Manufactured in Australia to Australian Standards (AS1397 and AS/NZS 2728) and tested in some of the harshest Australian conditions over the last 50 years, genuine COLORBOND® steel is far more than just ‘paint on steel’.
You can be assured that the steel base is manufactured to meet relevant Australian Standards, ensuring strict adherence to the required grade and strength. The base is then coated in the industry leading metallic coating incorporating Activate® technology*, to provide enhanced corrosion resistance.
To ensure the adhesion of further coatings to your window awnings, a thin pre-treatment layer is applied to optimise the adhesion of further coatings.
Then, a corrosion inhibitive primer is baked onto the surface and a topcoat of specially developed, exterior grade paint is baked on to provide resistance to chipping, flaking and blistering and to ensure the finish retains its look for longer.
Tips When Installing a Window Canopy or Door Canopy
Full installation instructions will be provided when your new window canopy / window awning or door canopy arrives – or read our Guide to Installing a Window Canopy or Door Canopy online – but you should also note:
- Often the canopy (if it is not too wide) can be fully assembled at ground level, and then mounted to the wall in its designated place.
- Due to the LOSP treatment, an oil-based primer needs to be used before applying acrylic paint.
The video below steps through the insallation of a Lyrebird Enterprises Window Canopy:
Door Canopies
Lyrebird Enterprises also offers door canopies, which can give you the similar benefits as window canopies in your chosen door setting. A beautiful and pleasing addition to any outside door to your home, door awnings can help regulate the temperature while adding a beautiful detail to the outside.
Similar to window canopies, our door canopies will be delivered in a kit to your home. You will need to take measurements beforehand as you would with your window awnings.
Each door canopy kit contains:
- 2 x door canopy brackets – in the profile of your choice
- Battens – 2 or 3 angled battens to suit window width
- Roofing iron – Miniorb (ripple iron) or regular corrugated iron in your choice of BHP Colorbond colours. (We do recommend Miniorb, as the regular corrugated looks rather bulky on a door canopy.)
- Top and side flashings
- All necessary bolts and screws etc.
- Door canopy kits do not include fascia plate, but we can supply them as an extra if desired
- Installation assistance – Full installation instructions and phone support if required
You can select your door canopy brackets by looking at the options on our website. Here’s some examples below:
Stylish door canopies will offer the many benefits of window canopies, in a smaller area. You are sure to add to the beauty of your home with the added benefit of being able to regulate the air that comes in and out of your home, and if you already have window awning, helping you further save on heating and cooling bills. You can feel confident that your door will be protected from the elements with your door awning. Many of our customers install door awnings for multiple doors around their home, creating a symmetrical and stylish feature to their property.
Door canopies can also come in handy when you are expecting a package delivery – if something needs to be left unattended, a door awning can protect it against the elements.
Similar to our window awnings, you will find your door awnings from Lyrebird to be of the highest quality, with our door awning kits providing an inexpensive and easy-to-install option for any home.
**Please note: images of our door canopies and window canopies are available on this website.
Why Choose Lyrebird Enterprises for Your Window Awnings and Door Canopies?
Lyrebird Enterprises has led the industry for over 30 years, and among many other areas of expertise and excellence, has been considered the expert in window canopies.
Our products offer you the security of experience: we have been adding value and beauty to homes in Australia for decades, offering a cost-effective and stylish solution to window awnings installation that will add value to your home.
We have been distinguished by consistently provided our clients and their support team with high quality products, excellent service and valuable advice. It’s something we pride ourselves on and why our products are found in many prestigious and unique locations around the country.
Our designs have been influenced by classic designs and designers of previous generations while still catering for today’s architectural taste. You can be assured that any choice you make amongst our selection of window awnings and door awnings will distinguish your house while providing you with comfort for the years to come.
Our Mission Statement
Quality and Leadership in the Industry of Verandah and Carport Construction and Heritage Timber Components.
Quality and leadership are our benchmarks and what we use as our guide when designing and constructing your window awnings and door awnings, and all the other products we specialise in.
About Lyrebird Enterprises
As experts in the manufacture of bullnose verandah rafters, curved beams and other curved rafters, door and window canopies /window awnings and a wide range of decorative timber verandah and garden products for over 35-years, Lyrebird Enterprises are well placed to assist you with your outdoor living project. We offer specialist reproduction, new design and manufacturing services for custom curved beam, small or large-scale building projects and provide an obligation-free initial consultation.
Visit our website – lyrebirdverandahart.com
