For questions relating to the installation, maintenance, and repair of windows and window treatments such as shutters, blinds and curtains.
0
votes
2answers
24 views
What dos it mean when our window screens are loose and the windows are hard to lock?
We just finished building our new house and we feel like the Simonton windows might have some issues. I'm not sure if what I'm seeing is normal or not so I thought I'd post my issues here and see ...
4
votes
2answers
54 views
How to prevent small birds from getting trapped inside open double-hung windows?
I have a double-hung window which has an AC unit, meaning it is always open. Occasionally, like just now, small birds get trapped in between the panels and they can't get out because it is narrow and ...
0
votes
1answer
53 views
Should we use plasterboard, MDF or wood when blocking up a window in our pantry?
We have a window in our pantry and we have been advised that we might need planning permission to remove it. Instead it would be easier to put plaster board over it.
I was just curious whether ...
2
votes
2answers
70 views
How can I get the maximum light while avoiding heat from a window?
I have a west facing window. How can I get max light while avoid any heat coming from it?
2
votes
1answer
48 views
What is the name of these silver curtains used to reflect heat energy back outside?
Some people use aluminum foil to reflect heat on windows but I find it very depressing and bad-looking thing. My Chinese friends use 台州涂银反光窗帘布 but I have no idea what it is in English: they translated ...
2
votes
1answer
38 views
How can I trim metal window wells after lowering the grade around them?
I just had a new stamped patio poured. We lowered the grading so now the widow wells are higher than the patio. I want to install window well covers but need to cut down the window wells (below the ...
1
vote
1answer
53 views
What is the difference between double glazing and triple glazing?
Noise reduction is touted as the best attribute but isn't this down to glass pane thickness and spacing? So, is a triple glazed install better than double glazing?
2
votes
1answer
44 views
How can I prevent aluminum window frames from heating up when they're in full sun?
There is a room that has a window, the frame of the window is made of aluminum. This window is subjected to direct sunlight a long time of the day, which makes the aluminum get really hot, and start ...
5
votes
1answer
107 views
How can I repair this wood window trim?
A small section of the window frame has rotted away (either that, or a woodpecker went at it)
Here is a picture of it
Click for larger view
What is the best way to fix this? Can I just cut out ...
1
vote
1answer
67 views
Can you identify the brand of this window?
Six months ago I moved to this house built in 2007 and now I notice some issues with a window. I suspect the window is still under warranty but I don't have the name of the manufacturer. The ...
2
votes
1answer
104 views
How can I block off scorching sunlight from coming through my windows?
Somehow, the window of my room faces directly at the scorching beams of the sun all year long. The local weather here is humid, and the heat from the sun coming in from the windows makes the room ...
0
votes
3answers
145 views
How to blackout bedroom that already has beautiful but ineffective blinds?
I am renting a house that has beautiful wooden venetian blinds - that I can not remove or replace - but they are not very effective at blocking the ambient night light that is abundant on my street. ...
1
vote
3answers
127 views
How do I know if my windows are energy efficient?
Hope this is a known one. New double glazing should be labelled, shouldn't it? But rather than getting new windows, are my uPVC windows fine? What checks? To elaborate - what should I look at on the ...
3
votes
2answers
125 views
Is installing blinds a DIY Project?
My wife and I have been in our home for a little less than a year, and the paper blinds are starting to get tired to look at. The prices on blinds.com look appealing, but I'm hoping there are no ...
7
votes
1answer
180 views
What should I consider when cutting/making window in concrete foundation?
I am thinking about putting in another window for my basement apartment.
I would like to know what do I need to consider before trying to find a contractor to do this.
I have uploaded a picture of ...
1
vote
0answers
55 views
Why don't the locks on the bottom of my uPVC windows lock into place?
I have a problem with the window handles on two of my uPVC windows: the handles turn up and down but the little locks at the bottom of the windows do not move or click into place properly, therefore ...
3
votes
1answer
271 views
Would adding new basement windows jeopardize the integrity of the foundation?
We are finishing our basement and would like to install 4 new hopper windows onto the front side of the house. My question is what is the largest reasonably sized window that can be cut from the ...
2
votes
2answers
866 views
How do I make professional grade double pane glass at home?
I've been shopping around and no one near me will do Argon filled double pane and only one place will do a vacuum. The price seemed astronomically high considering I can buy the glass and the local ...
0
votes
1answer
106 views
What is a good uPVC window or wooden double glazed replacement window solution?
I am looking at replacing old sash windows with uPVC windows. Is this a good idea for a four-bedroom house?
Some say sash windows have advantages, but most say go with uPVC. Perhaps a wooden double ...
2
votes
1answer
161 views
How can I remove paint from this window's aluminum track?
I recently purchased a house that has several layers of paint on the windows' aluminum tracks. (Wow! One bad paint job).
What's the best way to remove the paint, so that the windows will open and ...
3
votes
1answer
46 views
Can remodeling work around a window cause moisture / condensation problems?
I had flashing repair work done around one of three windows in my bedroom last summer. When it started getting cold, I noticed moisture / condensation on one of my windows. I thought it would go away ...
4
votes
5answers
277 views
Is there a significant benefit to using plastic window insulation year round?
In order to help save more money and funnel more of those savings to debts, I'm looking for more ways to save money.
I've heard that puting plastic window insulation over single-pane windows ...
4
votes
2answers
182 views
How do I fix air leak in windows?
Our windows in the back of our house receive a lot of wind. When it's windy or very cold, the air is coming in through various crevices: window track and space between window. The windows are about ...
2
votes
1answer
463 views
How can I fix my uPVC window that won't close properly?
The handle on one of my uPVC windows won't turn to keep the window shut. The window doesn't form a seal against the frame so it is getting cold in here! I've noticed that there's a small metal pin ...
8
votes
5answers
498 views
Are curtains effective for keeping the room warm?
I live in a rented apartment and I am trying to find solutions to keep the heat in. The apartment has several big windows (the 'living room' has one wall that is 80% windows) and I have to run the ...
-1
votes
1answer
98 views
Do I have to replace all of my windows at the same time? [closed]
One of 5 windows on the second story of the rear of my home needs to be replaced. Will it look odd if I replace only the single deteriorated window? Do I need to replace all 5 windows at the same ...
0
votes
1answer
106 views
How do I determine the origin of a window's leak?
The drywall is water stained directly under the two lower corners of my window. So, I need to figure out where the leak is coming from. What steps should I take?
-The home was built in 1967. The ...
1
vote
1answer
194 views
How can I make my own fabric replacement slats for my blinds?
I need to replace the fabric slats on the vertical blinds in my house. I do not want vinyl ones in my house. My windows look out on a golf course from most of the rooms in my house. I have lived with ...
1
vote
2answers
144 views
What type of window is this and how can I remove it with minimal damage to the wall?
I want to replace some old metal windows in my house but I'm confused on how they're attached/installed. I'm more accustomed to vinyl windows that have "fins" extending out the edges with trim. These ...
4
votes
2answers
225 views
How to cover a window well seamlessly so I can project TV onto that wall?
Problem: I would like the projected image to cover the whole wall, but when I turn the projector on, the window is in the way.
I bought a small screen (see the photographs) to try and cover that up, ...
5
votes
2answers
185 views
Are 2" roofing nails through the nailing fins of a new window enough to hold the window in place permanently?
Is using 2" roofing nails on the nailing fins of new construction windows enough to hold them in place permanently? It seems to me like there should be some fasteners in the extension jambs, but ...
-2
votes
1answer
196 views
What type of replacement windows can I use on my log home?
I'm stumped as to what style of window to pick for my log home (replacement). The current windows are aluminum frame, and are trimmed flush on both sides with wood, so all you see is a very thin strip ...
7
votes
1answer
455 views
Is krypton gas more energy-efficient that low-e argon?
This company I am about to buy windows from is giving me triple-pane windows with krypton gas for the same price as double-pane with low-e argon. The salesperson brought some window samples to my ...
3
votes
3answers
254 views
How can I counteract the effects of WD-40?
My landlord used WD-40 to free the UPVC windows and now when opened slightly the wind then catches them and blows them wide open (a real pain when woken at 4am with rain blowing through the room). How ...
1
vote
1answer
79 views
How can I remove the caulk from this window?
The caulk is cracked around the exterior window (see picture). It leads to some funky leaks...
I bought new caulk and know how to apply it but what I don't know is how to remove it. It doesn't feel ...
2
votes
2answers
101 views
How can I move a very heavy top window
I live in a very old school (as in it was a high school) building turned condo.
I have four windows in the standard top pane, bottom pane double sash configuration. Each pane is about 3 feet wide, 4 ...
2
votes
0answers
188 views
How to re-insert a single-hung window into the frame over the guide rods?
I have a single-hung Madison window. The moving part has come loose and disassembled and I can't get it back in.
There are two rods that fit into spaces at the sides of the window frame. (See links ...
1
vote
1answer
100 views
Should windows be sealed from the outside before the capping is done?
If a regular vinyl window is replaced, and the foam is applied from the inside around the window, should it be also sealed / caulked from the outside before the capping is done?
0
votes
1answer
166 views
How can I repair leaky windows/doors?
I have a big window above the entrance double door. Whenever it rains against the window I find the leaks at the top of the window corner, at the bottom of the window and in my cold room which is ...
0
votes
0answers
85 views
What is the thermal mass to glazing ratio for passive solar heating?
I am trying to figure out what model I should be using to build a self-sufficient house, which would use passive solar heating to keep indoor temperature comfortable all year round (Location is ...
1
vote
1answer
439 views
How can I stop windows from rattling?
My windows are probably original, from 1978. They are normal windows plus storm windows. The storm windows rattle like crazy in the wind. There's a lot of wind here in Boulder, Colorado. What's a good ...
5
votes
0answers
104 views
Can I replace a spiral window balance with a constant force balance?
I have old vinyl windows from '79 that currently have 24" long 5/8" diameter spiral balances. They have the red tip. Can I replace these with constant force balances?
1
vote
3answers
148 views
Can I shave the bottom of a metal casement window to get it to close fully?
I have a Casement Window installed that, as the new building has begun to settle, now has to be forced closed. It is on the verge of breaking the crank off now because it is so difficult. While wood ...
1
vote
1answer
412 views
How to convert a door into a window
My home has an old exterior door that used to be the front entrance. An addition has made it obsolete and we never use it anymore. I want to convert it into a window. How can I do this in a way that ...
1
vote
1answer
246 views
I mounted a vinyl picture window sideways, can I drill small weeping holes into the frame?
I found a nice picture window on the cheap but its frame weeping holes are designed to drain in a horizontal orientation (one in each lower corner).
I have mounted it vertically, so now there is a ...
0
votes
1answer
142 views
How to clean PVC Window “inside”?
I believe that due to poor gluing of the rubber to the window and/or probably other reasons that I'm not aware, mold has started to "dance" inside the window and probably window frame as well..., at ...
4
votes
1answer
191 views
What is the proper way to install windows on the house that is not level
My house is sloped at least 1/8" per 1' along the front side. It also has long horizontal siding. So if windows are installed level it may be pretty noticeable. Leveling the house is not an option. So ...
2
votes
0answers
391 views
Are there any risks in removing these steel basement window frames?
I am planning to replacement my basement windows (see this related question) and was planning to remove both the glass and frame. A window vendor advised me not do this claiming that the steel frame ...
4
votes
4answers
2k views
How do I correctly measure this basement window for a replacement?
I have three of these metal-framed basement windows which I would like to replace but I am unsure of what dimension I should measure and use for the replacements.
Initially I measured the outside ...
3
votes
1answer
880 views
Should I replace the window frame while installing replacement windows?
I will be considering replacing some of my windows in the future. Recently I had my house re-sided and had a chance to see how things were looking "under the surface" for much of the home. There were ...
