Aluminum awnings cost $850 on average, with most people paying between $450 and $1,250 depending on size and style.
If you live somewhere with hot summers and limited shade, wondering how much an aluminum awning, or an awning of any kind, costs is only natural. On average, people pay $850 to install an aluminum awning, though you may pay between $450 and $1,250. Explore how much an aluminum awning costs and ways you can save money on installation.
Aluminum awnings come in a variety of sizes and styles. You'll likely need to factor in prep work before installation. Here’s what you should consider before you start from a cost standpoint.
The most common types of aluminum awnings are ones made for windows, doors, and patios. Window and door awnings are pretty similar, while some varieties come into play with patio/deck awnings.
Type of Awning | Average Cost |
---|---|
Window/door | $200–$1,000 |
Manual retractable | $200–$1,700 |
Patio/deck | $500–$3,500 |
Motorized | $1,200–$3,500 |
In addition to choosing a type of awning, you’ll want to consider which style best fits your needs, your home’s aesthetic, and your budget. Shed awnings don’t sit on a slope and are easier to install. Dome and gable awnings can make a statement, but they may cost more because of their unique shapes and increased installation difficulty.
Awning Style | Average Cost |
---|---|
Shed | $200-$500 |
Quarter round | $300–$600 |
Concave | $200–$600 |
Dome | $600–$1,000 |
Waterfall | $400–$800 |
Half-round | $300–$600 |
Bullnose | $400–$900 |
Box | $300–$400 |
Gable | $800–$1,200 |
Sellers determine the price of aluminum awnings based on their size. You’ll pay between $4 and $10 per square foot for most awnings.
Patio aluminum awnings, for example, start around 20 feet in length. Door and window awnings are smaller and use less metal, so they typically cost less than awnings used in an outdoor patio or deck.
Size in Square Feet | Average Cost* |
---|---|
40 | $160–$400 |
80 | $320–$800 |
100 | $400–$1,000 |
120 | $480–$1,200 |
144 | $576–$1,440 |
160 | $640–$1,600 |
192 | $768–$1,920 |
200 | $800–$2,000 |
240 | $960–$2,400 |
*Materials only.
The cost to install aluminum awnings is around $270, but may vary slightly depending on where they're installed, their size, and whether you’re using a kit or custom build.
To install aluminum awnings, you’ll need clearance of between 7 and 8 feet for deck or patio setups, in most cases. For windows, 12 to 18 inches of clearance is standard. If you’re taking down old awnings or removing objects that would be in the way, you’ll need to pay for prep work.
A local handyperson may be able to help you with this portion of the job. Services typically start around $170.
The cost to install an aluminum awning will depend on where you live, mostly because of differences in local labor rates. Cities such as New York and San Francisco tend to have higher labor costs, however, other factors such as local regulations and seasonal availability of contractors and handymen can also come into play. The following table provides a general overview of average labor costs for aluminum awning installation across various U.S. cities.
City | Average Installation Cost* |
---|---|
Los Angeles, CA | $200–$400 |
Boston, MA | $200–$400 |
Las Vegas, NV | $175–$350 |
Cincinnati, OH | $160–$325 |
Austin, TX | $175–$350 |
Denver, CO | $180–$370 |
Chicago, IL | $185–$375 |
Minneapolis, MN | $170–$350 |
Seattle, WA | $200–$400 |
Orlando, FL | $160–$325 |
New York, NY | $250–$500 |
San Francisco, CA | $250–$500 |
*Labor only
For most awning installation projects, a permit is only required if they’re being installed on a commercial building. The permit is needed especially if awnings will be covering any public road or pavement. A permit may cost anywhere from $25 to $100.
Picture it: Your aluminum overhangs are in place over your new patio and you’re sipping coffee in the shade on a warm summer morning. Nice! Just don’t forget, there are a few other things you should consider from an investment standpoint.
In general, metal awnings require little maintenance. Still, here are some upkeep tasks you need to keep in mind after they’re installed:
Fixing dents/damage: Repairing dents or damage in an aluminum awning after, say, a hail storm, costs $100 to $400 per section that’s been destroyed. In some cases, full replacement might be necessary.
Replacing hardware: A replacement awnings motor costs around $250. You’ll likely need to shop for one that's compatible with the unit you purchase if you buy a kit.
Here’s the good news: compared to canvas or fabric, you’ll need to do far less work (and repairs) on your metal awnings once they’re installed.
Custom or premade motorized awnings might use electricity to operate. So long as you aren’t retracting or setting them out multiple times a day, though, the cost on your electric bill should be negligible.
Some homeowners hire a local solar installer to put solar panels on their aluminum awnings to offset energy costs throughout their home.
Because it isn’t as strong as steel or copper, aluminum is prone to dents and may need repairs more often. Minor repairs may cost as little as $100 if you tackle them yourself, while hiring a pro will cost at least $200. Awnings can quickly become a safety hazard without proper repairs, so hire a pro as soon as you notice a problem with your awning.
Metal awnings are typically wrapped into your home insurance policy and will be covered in the event of storms, high winds, or other inclement weather that damages or destroys them.
If you hire a handyperson to help, you might consider giving them a tip. Ten to 15% of the job’s price is a good ballpark figure to give a handyperson as thanks for their help—in this case, $20 to $40 would be appropriate.
Installing an aluminum awning costs about $600, and savvy DIYers can find awning kits with all the materials needed to install the awning. However, you’ll also need to stock your toolbox with a drill, a saw, and a tape measure. You’ll need a ladder, too. If you don’t already have these tools, the cost could go up at least $100 more.
There are a few things to consider before you start drilling into the side of your home to install an awning, though. If you don’t install the awning properly, it could leak or come loose in a storm, causing damage not just to the awning but also to the side of your home. Working on a ladder is inherently dangerous, especially if you don’t have the expertise and extra safety equipment, which can be costly.
Unless you have extensive home improvement experience, it’s going to be faster, safer, and potentially even more budget-friendly to hire a local awning contractor. Hiring a pro costs about $850 on average for all of the materials and the labor, which may be less expensive if you don’t already own a ladder and the other tools needed for this project. Trust the pros to make your outdoor space more functional and attractive with new awnings.
Aluminum awnings, especially ones built over a patio or deck, add value to your home because they create a nice, shaded area to recreate under.
Common costs associated with aluminum awning projects include:
LED lighting costs: $150
Motorized metal awnings: $2,000–$3,500
New patio costs: $3,750
Outdoor kitchen costs: Starting at $1,000
Additional features could increase home value even more, or just give you a great three or even four-season space to spend time outdoors.
There are certainly a few ways you can save a few bucks on your aluminum awning installation. From the materials you choose to the time of year you tackle the job, here are some money-saving tips:
Do the installation yourself: Without having to pay a handyman or contractor, you’ll save a couple hundred dollars on labor costs.
Tackle any prep work yourself: Removing fixtures from your home or yard that may get in the way of your new awnings will save you additional costs on labor. For every hour you spend working, that’s a savings of at least $50.
Shop in the offseason: Hiring a pro right before summer may be more expensive due to demand. Get your awnings installed in September or October when local installers have more time.
Stainless steel and copper are the most durable and will probably last the longest, especially when you compare them to fabric awnings. Steel is the most popular if your budget isn’t a top priority, but some people prefer copper awnings over steel because they are lighter, which makes them easier to install. Aluminum offers a more budget-friendly metal awning option that is still attractive and offers some durability, especially compared to fabric.
When properly maintained, metal awnings can last 20 to 30 years. Servicing the electronic components, which tend to wear out the fastest, is the best way to make your metal awnings last.
Other than that, regular use and cleaning them with vinegar and water a couple times a season to prevent buildup and/or rust can help preserve your awnings.
Yes, using oil-based paints is an effective way to paint new metal awnings or update old ones. However, with the wide variety of pre-made kits available now, you might consider just upgrading or purchasing the color of metal awnings you wish instead of painting.
If your old awnings are still in good shape, painting might make sense. As an added bonus, painting an aluminum awning may also help prevent corrosion.
Because metal awnings can add time to how long you can enjoy the outdoors near your home (i.e. a deck in the warm summer months), they will definitely add property value to your home, so long as they are well maintained. Motorized metal awnings are especially attractive to homebuyers.