VLX 80 Awning Window

VLX 80 Awning Window in Tampa, FL | Lightwell Windows Tampa

The VLX 80 Awning Window is a top-hinged aluminum window that opens outward from the bottom, letting you run ventilation even when Tampa’s afternoon thunderstorms roll through. Rain hits the glass and slides off while the sash stays open, which is why so many homeowners in South Tampa, Seminole Heights, and Hyde Park spec this window for bathrooms, kitchens, and anywhere they want airflow without water getting in. We’re an authorized ViewLux installation partner, which means we sell, size, and install this exact window line with full factory-backed warranty coverage. If you’re pricing awning windows for a Tampa home, call (850) 360-6785 and we’ll give you a straight line-item quote.

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Product Overview – VLX 80 Awning Window

Awning windows solve a problem casements and sliders can’t: they let you keep windows open during Florida rain. The VLX 80 hinges at the top and opens outward at the bottom, so the sash itself becomes a small roof over the opening. Light stays on, breeze moves through, water stays out. That one design decision makes it the default pick for Tampa homes with wide, low window openings, shower windows, or rooms where you want ventilation without security worries at ground level.

The frame is extruded aluminum at a 1.97″ profile width with a 0.079″ wall thickness. That’s a substantial frame by aluminum standards, and it matters in a coastal-adjacent market like Tampa where salt air, humidity, and UV punish cheap window materials. Aluminum doesn’t rot, doesn’t warp, doesn’t swell in the wet season, and doesn’t become termite food. The thermal break in the VLX 80 separates the interior and exterior aluminum so heat doesn’t conduct straight through the frame, which is the classic problem with older aluminum windows in Florida. Buyers choose the VLX 80 when they want the slim sightlines of aluminum without the energy penalty of 1980s-era frames. We’d put this window on a modern home in Davis Islands or a 1960s ranch in Temple Terrace, and it’ll look right in both places.

Technical Specifications

Here’s the VLX 80 in plain numbers, reworked from the factory sheet so you can see what you’re actually buying. Specs below are for the standard configuration; call (850) 360-6785 if you need a custom size or a Florida-specific build.

• Frame material: Extruded aluminum with thermal break
• Wall thickness: 0.079″ – heavier-grade extrusion than entry-level aluminum lines
• Profile width: 1.97″ – slim frame, more glass surface per opening
• Operation: Top-hinged, outward-opening sash with multi-point locking hardware
• Glass options: Clear, Frosted, Low-E, Tempered, Laminated
• Finish options: Premium Black, Pure White, Anodized Silver, Bronze, Champagne, Teak Wood
• Screen options: Fixed Screen or Retractable Screen, both mounted to the interior
• Performance compliance: NFRC-rated thermal performance, AAMA 2400/2410 installation standard, AAMA 812 perimeter sealing, impact-rated laminated glass available for wind-borne debris zones

Performance Features

Thermal Efficiency. The thermal break inside the frame interrupts heat transfer between Tampa’s summer sun and your air-conditioned interior. In an NFRC-rated aluminum window, that break is what separates a frame that bakes from one that stays neutral to the touch. Low-E glass pairs with the break to cut solar heat gain.

Acoustic Performance. Laminated glass on the VLX 80 cuts mid-range noise meaningfully, which matters if you’re on MacDill Avenue, Dale Mabry, or anywhere in Tampa where traffic hum never stops. The multi-point locking system also pulls the sash tight to the weatherstripping, closing small air gaps that leak sound.

Airtightness & Weather Seal. Continuous compression weatherstripping runs around all four sides of the sash. When the window locks, the gasket compresses evenly, which is what keeps conditioned air in and damp air out. That’s the detail most cheap awning windows miss, and it shows up in your power bill in August.

Waterproofing. The top-hinge geometry naturally sheds water, but the frame also has an integrated sill design that channels any driven rain back outside. On Tampa homes, we install with AAMA 812 low-expansion foam around every perimeter joint so there’s no gap for wind-driven rain or humidity to sneak through.

Wind Resistance. Awning windows get pushed shut by wind pressure, not pulled open, which makes them one of the sturdiest operating windows in a storm. The VLX 80 is wind-load rated for Florida Building Code requirements in the Tampa area, and impact-resistant laminated glass is available when you want a window that holds its own in named storms.

Security & Hardware. Multi-point locking hardware engages at the top, bottom, and both sides of the sash. Compare that to a single latch on a slider, and it’s easy to see why a ground-floor awning in Ybor City or West Tampa is harder to pry. Tempered glass adds another layer of safety for windows within reach of walkways or wherever code calls for it.

Color & Glass Options

The VLX 80 comes in six finishes. Premium Black and Anodized Silver lean into the modern look you see on new builds in Hyde Park and Channel District. Pure White fits the classic Florida bungalow and ranch-style homes across Carrollwood and Westchase. Bronze and Champagne are warmer mid-tones that split the difference, and Teak Wood gives you a wood-look aluminum frame for homes where you want the warmth of timber without the maintenance of actual wood in Tampa’s humidity.

On glass, Clear is the budget baseline. Frosted is the go-to for bathrooms and any window facing a neighbor’s wall, giving privacy without losing the light. Low-E is the energy play: a low-emissivity coating reflecting heat while letting visible light through, which is what most Tampa homeowners should spec. Tempered is safety glass that crumbles into pebbles instead of shards, required by code in some locations. Laminated holds together when impacted, and it’s the option that makes the VLX 80 storm-rated. Pair Low-E with Clear for the sweet spot of energy performance and daylight.

Installation by Lightwell Windows Tampa in Tampa

Here’s the thing most window sellers won’t tell you: the installation matters as much as the window. A $900 window set into a sloppy rough opening will leak, bind, and void the factory warranty. ViewLux warranties their product, not someone else’s workmanship, so an improper install means you’re on your own if the window fails. That’s why we install every VLX 80 to AAMA 2400/2410, the recognized standard for window installation, and we stay warranty-safe on every job.

Our process starts with a pre-install inspection of the rough opening. We check that the framing is square, the sill is level, and there’s no hidden water damage that needs remediation before we set a new window. Then we set the frame level, plumb, and square, shimming as needed so the sash operates smoothly from day one. Around the perimeter, we use AAMA 812 low-expansion foam sealant on every joint, interior and exterior. That foam seals the thermal boundary and blocks the air and moisture paths that cause condensation and mold in Tampa’s climate. After the window is locked in, we run a water test to confirm nothing finds its way inside, then clean up the site. The result is a window that drains properly, opens with one hand, and stays tight through every storm season.

Tampa-specific note: our humidity is relentless, and any gap in a window perimeter becomes a condensation point within the first year. We’ve pulled out plenty of windows installed by other crews that looked fine from inside but had no perimeter seal at all. The foam and flashing steps aren’t optional here. They’re the whole job.

Frequently Asked Questions – VLX 80 Awning Window

What is the lead time for the VLX 80 Awning Window? The VLX 80 typically runs 2 to 4 weeks from order to arrival at our Tampa warehouse, depending on the glass package and finish you specify. Custom sizes and laminated glass add time. Call (850) 360-6785 for a current lead-time estimate on your exact configuration.

Does the VLX 80 qualify for energy tax credits? The VLX 80 with Low-E glass can qualify for federal energy efficiency credits, but eligibility depends on the exact glass package, your home’s location, and the current tax-year requirements. Ask us for the NFRC label data on the configuration you choose. An exact quote is a phone call away at (850) 360-6785.

What warranty comes with the Awning Window? ViewLux backs the VLX 80 with a manufacturer’s warranty that covers the frame, glass, and hardware. Our installation work is also covered by our own workmanship warranty. When we install per AAMA 2400/2410, the factory warranty stays intact. Details vary by configuration, so call (850) 360-6785 and we’ll explain exactly what applies to your order.

Can I customize the VLX 80 to fit an existing opening? The VLX 80 is built to order, so we can size it to fit opening measurements from our site visit, not just stock window sizes. We measure every opening ourselves to confirm rough dimensions before ordering. If you’re replacing old windows in a Tampa home with unusual opening sizes, this is the window line we’d spec.

How do I maintain aluminum frames on awning windows? Wash the frame and glass with mild soap and water twice a year, and keep the weep holes at the bottom of the frame clear of debris. Salt air near the bay can leave residue on anodized finishes, so give windows in South Tampa and Harbour Island a rinse every few months. The hardware needs no lubrication beyond what the factory applies.

Get a Quote – VLX 80 Awning Window in Tampa

If you’re ready to price the VLX 80 for your Tampa home, we’ll come out, measure your openings, and build you a line-item quote with no pressure and no change orders. Call (850) 360-6785 to book your free on-site measurement, or tell us about your project and we’ll get started.