When it comes to adding an awning to your home, picking the right size awning is one of the most important decisions. A well-sized awning will give you the right amount of coverage, protection, and visual balance for your door or window. Whether you’re looking to keep rain off your entryway or shade a sunny window, here’s how to pick the best awning dimensions for your space.
Why Awning Size Matters
Choosing the right size awning isn’t just about how it looks—it affects how well it performs.
Coverage and Protection
A properly sized awning keeps rain, snow, and sun off your doorway or window. If it’s too small, water and snow might still reach your steps or window frame. If it’s too big, it may overwhelm the space or extend too far.
Style and Proportion
Awnings add visual interest to your home, but only if it’s the right size. An awning that’s too short or too wide can look out of place. A perfectly sized awning will blend in naturally with your home’s style.
Measuring Your Space
Before choosing an awning, take a few minutes to measure your door or window to get the best awning dimensions .
Width
Measure the full width of the door or window, including any trim or frame. It’s common to add 3–6 inches on either side for better coverage and a more balanced look. For a standard single door, an entry door awning that’s about 40–48 inches wide usually works well. For double doors, 60–72 inches is usually a good fit.
Projection (Depth)
The projection is how far the awning sticks out from your wall. For doors, a 24–36 inch projection helps block rain and snow. For windows, it depends on how much sun you want to block. A deeper projection provides more shade.
Door vs. Window Awnings
Door and window awnings serve similar purposes, but you might need to size them a little differently depending on where they’re going.
Awnings for Doors
With doors, especially front doors, you want to make sure people can stand underneath entry door awning without getting wet. Choose a size that extends past the doorway and has enough depth to offer full coverage.
Awnings for Windows
Window awnings help with sun control and temperature regulation. They don’t need to be as deep as door awnings, but they should still be wide enough to cover the full window. If the window gets a lot of sun, a slightly deeper awning will provide more shade.
Other Things to Consider
Along with getting the right size awning, here are a few more things to think about:
Style of Your Home
Choose an awning size that fits with the overall look of your house. Larger awnings can work well on modern or larger homes, while smaller sizes may suit cozy or classic styles.
Height and Placement
Make sure there’s enough wall space above the door or window to install the awning securely. Most polycarbonate awnings are installed just above the frame.
Building Code or Condo By-Laws
If you live in a neighborhood with building rules or an Condo by-laws, check if there are size limits or design requirements for exterior changes.
Final Thoughts
The right size awning will improve your home’s comfort and appearance. By measuring your space carefully and thinking about how you’ll use it, you can choose a size that offers great coverage and enhances your home’s design. Whether you’re protecting an entryway from the rain or adding shade to a sunny window, polycarbonate awnings are a smart, stylish choice for Canadian homes.