For questions relating to the installation, maintenance, and repair of windows and window treatments such as shutters, blinds and curtains.
0
votes
0answers
78 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
424 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
4answers
917 views
Should I put weather stripping on my unsealed windows and doors?
I currently live in a rented apartment and the windows in my shower are not sealed, so it gets pretty cold there. The front door of the house also has a sealing problem.
The thing is, I'm not going ...
0
votes
1answer
141 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 ...
5
votes
0answers
100 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
1answer
348 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 ...
4
votes
1answer
176 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
354 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 ...
8
votes
4answers
435 views
How much of a window should be replaced?
My kids threw something in the house and broke a window. Only the inner pane of the double-pane window is broken.
My questions are:
What needs to be replaced?
Can I replace just the glass that's ...
1
vote
2answers
796 views
Removing Tuck Tape from an unfinished window frame
The builder taped the vapour barrier to the window frames in my basement. Is this normal? I attempted to peal it off but the glue residue is stuck to the wood.
Any suggestions on how I can remove ...
2
votes
2answers
135 views
How can I remove the side glass pane from a patio sliding glass door?
I just bought a pet door insert for a sliding glass door.
I'm assuming that it must be installed against the wall, but I cannot figure out how to remove the side panel of the sliding glass door.
...
1
vote
1answer
661 views
How do I uninstall a velux blackout blind?
(A Velux blind is a brand of skylight/roof-window in the UK that's apparently quite popular).
We have a couple of velux windows with blinds attached. We'd like to swap them for the black-out blind ...
2
votes
2answers
193 views
How to avoid window sticking to paint?
Our house has several sliding windows that have a strip of rubber weatherstripping where the movable part of the window meets the frame when closed. The most recent paint (a semi-gloss latex) is ...
4
votes
1answer
233 views
What can I do about foggy double glazed windows?
We have double glazing throughout our house, and most of the windows have started to "fog up". Doing a quick search revealed this video, which looks very much like the problem that we have. I have ...
4
votes
1answer
102 views
Can I use interior oil-based primer on window glazing?
I'm re-glazing some windows with DAP '33'. The instructions call for an oil-based paint or oil-based primer. I have a can of Sherwin-Williams oil-based interior primer. Will this work over the ...
4
votes
1answer
279 views
Best style of window for above grade basement windows?
My basement windows are roughly 2'x3' (h x w) and the exterior sill is 6 inches above grade, and 5 feet above the basement floor. I am not particularly concerned with security beyond frustrating the ...
2
votes
1answer
185 views
Where can I find unusual L-shaped brackets? [closed]
I had windows installed in my gazebo, but had them installed with the screens on the outside and windows on the inside (for easier cleaning access). My problem now is that strong winds blow the ...
2
votes
1answer
602 views
How do I install an air conditioner in a larger window?
I have a brand new AC in the box which was meant for another room, but recently had a baby and her room is too hot.
I want to use the AC I already purchased, but the max window width is 36" and the ...
2
votes
1answer
152 views
Do vinyl doors and windows with a foam core promote mold growth?
I've had two companies give their sales pitch on vinyl windows and doors. One has a foam core inside the vinyl frame, the other does not. One says the foam core helps insulate, the other says the ...
2
votes
3answers
591 views
How do I install plastic window insulation without damaging the trim?
I'm planning to install plastic window wrap on my windows for the winter, but the trim around the windows is nice wood and I don't want to leave a mark on it where the double-sided tape will be.
I've ...
2
votes
1answer
739 views
How can I install a curtain rod so that it doesn't slide on the mounting brackets when opening and closing the curtains?
I am hoping to install some drapes in our bedroom. In my experience, the curtain rod always slides into itself or over the mounting hardware while I am opening or closing the curtains. Is there a way ...
14
votes
8answers
2k views
How can I stop birds from hitting my sunroom windows?
Over the last three days, I have probably had over a dozen birds try to fly through my sunroom, only to be stopped by the 72"X52" sliding windows; three of the birds have died. What can I do so that ...
1
vote
1answer
450 views
How can I make my room darker at night?
I live in a place where we do not have completely dark nights in the summer.
This is how my room looks like (picture from the web, just example - Sliding doors with vertical blinds).
I'm looking ...
6
votes
5answers
1k views
How can I make a bedroom with lots of windows darker?
I'm moving into a gorgeous new house with one wrinkle: my bedroom has two full walls of windows, plus skylights. Most of the day, this is great, but at night, I really want it dark where I sleep.
I ...
3
votes
1answer
333 views
What are my options for replacing or upgrading my window screens?
I've just bought a house that has older wooden-framed windows. The windows themselves appear to be fine, but the screens for these windows are simple aluminum frames that use the small spring-loaded ...
1
vote
1answer
458 views
How can I fill this gap between the plasterboard and window architrave?
The framing on my house is warped in such a way that I have several places where I have large gaps between the window/door architraves and the frame and the plasterboard just flaps around. I also get ...
0
votes
2answers
129 views
Safety about windows
The house which I rent and am living
in has a kitchen on the first floor,
where there is a window facing the
yard with its lower half covered by
security bar and screen, like this one .
Is it safe
...
3
votes
4answers
159 views
How do I determine if the energy savings are worth replacing windows for?
I have a house with an east-facing wall which is mostly windows. In the winter, during the day I almost never have to run the furnace because of how much the sunlight warms my house. During the summer ...
6
votes
2answers
1k views
Was this basement window installed properly?
Here's a few photos of a window that I installed last year. I used the mixed knowledge of a few different online articles and did it to my best ability, but I'm kinda worried that it may have been ...
7
votes
2answers
242 views
How is this type of weather stripping replaced?
This weather stripping is about 20 years old, and obviously it's no longer doing anything. It seems like it's stuck between those pieces of wood, but I can't tell if it's glued in, or if there are ...
3
votes
1answer
160 views
Which type of vertical window shades are the most durable? [closed]
I am looking into purchasing vertical window shades. I hear vinyl will warp with heat, but I also hear fabric isn't as durable as vinyl. Not sure why fabric is much more expensive than vinyl though.
...
1
vote
1answer
694 views
Is installing an egress window in a basement a do it yourself job?
For starters, we found wet carpet in a finished basement room. It's not a full bedroom because there is no egress window, but does have a small window approx 2' x 1' about 3 feet away from where the ...
8
votes
3answers
912 views
What are the pros and cons of UV window film?
I have just finished renovating my house and am now considering adding UV film to some of my windows (those that catch the most sun). On paper, they sound like a great solution as they reduce the heat ...
5
votes
1answer
3k views
How do you finish a window installation?
After the window has been secured in the rough opening, how do you finish the inside part of the installation? For example adding a window sill and trimming out the inner portion of the rough opening, ...
0
votes
0answers
67 views
What do i do with a hallway that hooks on our dining room with 8 windows? [closed]
I have a room off of our dining room/ awkward hall way with 8 windows.. Yes i said 8...The windows are 34 by 42. The previous owners painted the window seals blue and put blue blinds on them. What do ...
2
votes
1answer
454 views
What are pros/cons of skylight placement?
I have a vaulted ceiling in my living/kitchen area where I'd like to install skylights. The designer I spoke to suggested two 2'x 4' skylights in the north facing living room, but she didn't seem to ...
4
votes
3answers
2k views
How to stop windows from sliding down?
About 10 years ago I had all the windows in my apartment replaced. Four or five years later, when I would open them to insert a fan or an air conditioner, the top window would slide down 6-12 inches ...
2
votes
0answers
441 views
How can I replace an aluminum window spiral balance?
I would like to replace the spiral balance on my single hung (non removable) aluminum windows but I can't figure out how to remove the clip on the window that the bottom of the spiral hooks into. ...
3
votes
3answers
4k views
Draughty PVC window
Some of the PVC windows in my house lets wind and cold in, so I need to adjust them to cut off the draught. I have no experience in adjusting them, so I need to find out how I can achieve this. Any ...
1
vote
2answers
194 views
How can I find the source of a leak?
We have a lead lined, concave roof on a bay window. The roof itself has a small drain.
Inside the house, below the bay window we have a small leak that occasionaly appears when it rains. I have ...
1
vote
1answer
164 views
How do I repair a flaking finish on my wood windows?
I have a few windows around the house which all have a funny flaky appearance. It looks pretty superficial; the wood under the flaking looks okay. It's on windows that were here when I bought the ...
3
votes
3answers
291 views
How can I seal a below-grade window permanently?
I purchased my home a couple of years ago and this year I am going to replace the deck and build a fence. The deck was in terrible condition so I completely took it down. To my surprise I found 2 ...
4
votes
3answers
426 views
How should I prepare doors and windows for painting?
I'm mostly interested in what is the best way to protect the wood from bad weather, but any other advice on how to improve overall quality of work would be appreciated.
3
votes
2answers
450 views
Fiberglass reinforced vinyl windows — better/worse/same as being reinforced with aluminum/steel?
My wife and I are looking at Sunrise replacement windows. They seem to be very sturdy windows with a nice lifetime warranty. I've heard that I definitely want to get some kind of structurally ...
7
votes
3answers
3k views
How do I install wood shutters on a brick house?
I've built some Board-N-Batten shutters and am ready to hang them on the house. However, I've never installed shutters before, so I want to be sure I install them properly.
Do I drill pilot holes in ...
3
votes
1answer
2k views
How can I insulate a sash window?
I just moved into an old flat which has old and weathered down sash windows which let a lot of cold air in. As Scotland does get very cold at times I would like to insulate them in a cheap and ...
6
votes
1answer
107 views
What is the proper and accurate way to measure space for window screens?
One of our metal windows is missing a screen and I'd like to replace it. I don't have other windows of the same size so I can't easily copy the screen dimensions. How should I measure the window ...
15
votes
2answers
403 views
1lb of cure is worth 10 tons of mold: DIY repair of a poorly sealed window? lots of photos herein
Preface
I live in China. Construction is largely handled by unskilled migrants, and one cannot just call up a specialist contractor to fix a major issue.
Problem
I've got a window that was not ...
5
votes
4answers
628 views
What is the most economical and energy-efficient way to winterize windows?
We have vinyl windows (mostly double-paned) and live in a shady greenbelt in Seattle (i.e. wet and dark). We don't have much severe weather to worry about, just a pervasive damp cold that settles in ...
2
votes
2answers
1k views
How can I temporarily soundproof my bedroom window?
I live on the second floor of a noisy NYC apartment building, and my bedroom window is unfortunately right above a busy street. I've been sleeping with earplugs for a while, but I still get woken up. ...
