VLX 80 Awning Window

VLX 80 Awning Window in Pasadena, CA | Lightwell Windows Pasadena

The VLX 80 Awning Window, manufactured by ViewLux and installed by Lightwell Windows Pasadena, answers a question a lot of Southern California homeowners keep asking: can I get real ventilation without giving up a clean architectural line? The answer is yes. This top-hinged aluminum window opens outward from the bottom, which means you can leave it cracked during a passing rain shower and still get air moving through the house. That alone makes it a sensible choice for Craftsman bungalows in Bungalow Heaven or mid-century ranches in San Rafael Hills. We’re the authorized ViewLux installation partner serving Pasadena, and we install this window the way the manufacturer intends: square, level, sealed, and warrantied. Call us at (626) 628-2308 to talk about your project.

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Product Overview – VLX 80 Awning Window

The VLX 80 is built around a simple idea: an aluminum window should feel generous in glass and modest in frame. ViewLux designed this series with a 1.97-inch profile width, which is noticeably slimmer than older aluminum systems you still see around Pasadena homes built in the 1970s and 80s. The frame doesn’t compete with the view. It just holds the glass and gets out of the way.

Because it’s top-hinged, the sash swings outward at the bottom, which gives you controlled airflow without the window poking into the room. That makes it practical in tight spaces: over a kitchen sink in a Sierra Madre Boulevard condo, above a workbench in a converted garage in Altadena, or stacked above a fixed picture window in a Linda Vista hillside house. The awning style also pairs well with larger window walls because you can group two or three units horizontally for a continuous band of light and air.

The frame is extruded aluminum with a wall thickness of 0.079 inches. That may not sound like much, but in practice it’s enough to resist warping, bowing, and sagging even on wider units. Aluminum also handles Pasadena’s dry heat and occasional Santa Ana wind events without swelling or cracking the way wood can. Add a thermal break into the frame, and you’ve addressed the old knock against aluminum windows: that they conduct too much heat. The VLX 80 doesn’t have that problem.

When we quote this window for Pasadena homeowners, the conversation usually starts with the rain-ventilation feature. People love the idea of getting fresh air during one of our rare but real winter downpours. The top hinge acts like a small awning roof over the opening, shielding the gap from direct rainfall while air still circulates underneath. It’s a small thing that makes a big daily difference.

Technical Specifications

Here are the numbers and options that matter when you’re comparing windows. These specs come from ViewLux, and we’re quoting them in plain terms so you can actually compare apples to apples.

• Frame material: Extruded aluminum, thermally broken
• Wall thickness: 0.079 inches
• Profile width: 1.97 inches (sightline from interior or exterior)
• Operation: Top-hinged sash, opens outward from the bottom
• Glass options: Clear, Frosted, Low-E, Tempered, Laminated
• Finish options: Premium Black, Pure White, Anodized Silver, Bronze, Champagne, Teak Wood
• Screen options: Fixed screen, Retractable screen
• Performance standards: NFRC-rated thermal performance, AAMA 2400/2410 installation compliance, AAMA 812 perimeter sealing
• Ratings: Airtightness, waterproofing, mist prevention, and sound control ratings available per configuration
• Impact resistance: Available with laminated glass when project conditions call for it
• Wind load: Rated to meet local Pasadena climate requirements

Performance Features

Thermal Efficiency
Aluminum conducts heat quickly, which was always the problem with old aluminum windows in Pasadena. The VLX 80 solves that with a thermal break: an insulating barrier built into the frame that interrupts heat flow between the inside and outside aluminum surfaces. Add Low-E coated glass, and the window carries an NFRC energy rating you can verify before you buy. That matters in August when the sun hits a west-facing wall in Hastings Ranch all afternoon.

Acoustic Performance
Pasadena has quiet streets and loud ones. If you live near the 210, Lake Avenue, or Colorado Boulevard, traffic hum is a real thing. The VLX 80’s airtight seal and the option for laminated glass reduce the amount of outside noise that makes it into the room. Laminated glass in particular helps with mid-frequency noise like cars and buses. We recommend it often for homes near the freeway or busier commercial corridors.

Airtightness & Weather Seal
A window that doesn’t seal tightly will leak air around the sash, and you’ll feel it every winter morning when the temperature drops into the low 40s. The VLX 80 uses a continuous gasket system around the sash perimeter to hold its airtightness rating. ViewLux publishes performance numbers for each configuration, and we’re happy to walk you through them when you visit our Pasadena showroom area or during a site visit.

Waterproofing
Awning windows have a natural advantage in rain because the sash closes against the frame like a door against a jamb, compressing the gasket. The bottom-hinged angle also directs water away from the opening. The frame’s drainage channels carry any moisture that does enter the track back to the outside. For a climate that gets occasional but intense rainstorms, that’s the design you want.

Wind Resistance
Santa Ana winds can gust hard against hillside homes and canyon-facing properties in Pasadena. The VLX 80 is wind-load rated for local climate requirements, meaning the aluminum frame and hardware are tested to hold up under the kind of pressure those events create. We’ll confirm the specific rating for your opening size and location during the estimate.

Security & Hardware
The awning design is inherently harder to force open from the outside, since the opening is at the bottom and the hinge is at the top. Multi-point locking hardware is available depending on unit size. Combine that with laminated glass, and you have a window that resists both casual tampering and impact. For ground-floor windows in Pasadena’s garden apartments or a street-facing bedroom, it’s a worthwhile upgrade.

Color & Glass Options

The VLX 80 comes in six finishes, and your choice usually depends on the house itself. Premium Black is the current favorite for modern and contemporary homes around Pasadena, especially those with black metal or wood accents. Pure White suits the clean, crisp look that works with Craftsman interiors and Spanish Colonial exteriors alike. Anodized Silver gives you that raw aluminum look that reads as industrial or minimal. Bronze has a warmer, more traditional feel that blends with wood trim. Champagne sits between silver and bronze, with a subtle warmth that works on stucco homes from the 1950s and 60s. Teak Wood is a powder-coated finish that mimics the look of stained teak without the maintenance, popular in homes that want a wood appearance without the wood upkeep.

For glass, Clear is the default: maximum visible light, no tint. Frosted offers privacy for bathrooms and street-facing ground floors without losing daylight. Low-E is the energy option, coating the glass to reflect heat while letting light through, which is the smart choice for south and west exposures in Pasadena. Tempered glass meets safety requirements for windows near doors or in wet areas. Laminated glass adds impact resistance and dampens sound. You can combine options too, so a Low-E laminated unit is possible.

Installation by Lightwell Windows Pasadena in Pasadena

A great window installed badly is a bad window. That’s the honest truth of this business. An improperly flashed or poorly sealed opening will leak eventually, regardless of what’s in it. We install the VLX 80 to AAMA 2400/2410 standards, which is the industry guideline for proper window installation in new construction and retrofit applications. That covers everything from the rough opening prep to fastener spacings to final sealing.

Our process starts with a pre-install inspection. We check the rough opening for water damage, out-of-square framing, and any sign of moisture intrusion from the old window. That step alone catches problems other installations miss. Then we set the window level, plumb, and square, shimming precisely so the sash operates smoothly and seals evenly. We apply AAMA 812-approved low-expansion foam sealant around the entire perimeter, which prevents air leaks without bowing the frame. Backer rod and exterior sealant go on next, followed by a water test to verify the opening is tight. Finally, we clean up the work area and walk you through the operation and care of your new window.

Here’s what that attention to detail gets you: if a window ever fails because of an installation error, the manufacturer warranty won’t cover it. That’s not a ViewLux thing. It’s true across the industry. Installing with Lightwell Windows Pasadena means the installation itself is done correctly, so your warranty stays intact. We don’t sub out our installs. The team you meet is the team that does the work.

Pasadena has its own considerations. Many older homes in the city have stucco exteriors and non-standard rough openings that require careful flashing details. Some properties in historic districts have design review requirements, and window style and finish choices may need approval. We’ve worked in neighborhoods across Pasadena, from Madison Heights to Annandale, and we’re familiar with what the City asks for on these projects.

Frequently Asked Questions – VLX 80 Awning Window

What is the lead time for the VLX 80 Awning Window?
Most VLX 80 orders arrive within four to six weeks from the date you approve the order and we confirm final measurements. Custom sizes and finishes like Teak Wood can add a week or so. Call (626) 628-2308 and we’ll give you a current lead time for your exact configuration.

Does the VLX 80 qualify for energy tax credits?
Possibly, but it depends on the glass package you choose and the current federal and state incentive programs. Low-E glass with the right NFRC ratings is typically what’s needed to qualify. We can’t promise a credit, but we can show you the NFRC performance label for your configuration and you can check against the program requirements. Start with a free estimate by calling (626) 628-2308.

What warranty comes with the Awning Window?
ViewLux provides a manufacturer warranty on the VLX 80, and our installation is protected by a workmanship warranty as well. The manufacturer’s warranty covers defects in materials and manufacturing. Our workmanship warranty covers what we do: the installation, sealing, and setting of the unit. Having both means you’re covered from factory to finish. Ask us for the specific warranty document when you get your quote.

Can I customize the size of the VLX 80 Awning Window?
Yes, the VLX 80 is available in custom sizes within the structural limits of the frame design. Awning windows typically work best in wider-than-tall proportions, but that’s a conversation about aesthetics as much as engineering. If you have an unusual opening, especially in an older Pasadena home, we’ll measure it and tell you what’s possible. Call (626) 628-2308 to schedule a measurement.

How do I maintain aluminum frames?
Powder-coated aluminum frames need very little. Wipe them down with mild soap and water twice a year, check the drainage channels for debris, and lubricate the hinges and hardware annually with a silicone-based lubricant. Avoid abrasive cleaners or anything solvent-based. If you notice a gasket pulling away from the frame, call us before it becomes a draft or a leak.

Get a Quote – VLX 80 Awning Window in Pasadena

If the VLX 80 sounds like the window you’ve been looking for, let’s do this the easy way. Call Lightwell Windows Pasadena at (626) 628-2308 and we’ll schedule a free on-site measurement at your Pasadena home. You’ll get a written, line-item quote with exact pricing for your configuration, and you’ll know exactly what you’re paying before anything gets ordered. No pressure, no vague numbers, no surprises.

Written by the team at Lightwell Windows Pasadena, your authorized ViewLux partner serving Pasadena, CA and the surrounding San Gabriel Valley.