For questions relating to the installation, maintenance, and repair of windows and window treatments such as shutters, blinds and curtains.
2
votes
1answer
588 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 ...
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
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 ...
4
votes
1answer
245 views
Is there a better more flexible framing material for screens than aluminum kits?
Our windows are old and do not lend themselves to easy removal of the screens. In fact when I remove a screen I frequently bend it beyond repair. Is there a better more flexible framing material for ...
2
votes
1answer
734 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 ...
1
vote
1answer
4k views
How can I install a window air conditioner in a metal window frame?
I'm trying to install a window unit air conditioner, but most of the installation instructions don't seem to work with this window configuration.
A little bit about the setup: The apartment is the ...
3
votes
2answers
2k views
How can I identify the manufacturer of my windows?
So, the seals on one of the double pane windows in my parent's home have failed (moisture and mold between panes). I want to contact the manufacturer to see if there is a possibility of warranty ...
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 ...
1
vote
1answer
457 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 ...
2
votes
1answer
343 views
Gap between sash frame and pane of single-hung window sash - DIY-able?
Short background: we have a single-hung window in our living room that opens sideways, and it is noticeably hard to open. I noticed recently that the lock side of the moving sash's frame seems to have ...
3
votes
1answer
332 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 ...
5
votes
2answers
3k views
How can I cut through brick to add a window?
I'm redoing a bathroom and would like to add a window (36x12) in the shower. This involves cutting through brick. A contractor I spoke with said he could cut it with a angle grinder (diamond blade?), ...
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
693 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 ...
5
votes
2answers
286 views
How do I secure a vinyl window to the wall?
When installing my vinyl windows should I put a nail into every little hole around the window? It has a flange that has many little holes around it. Also what size nails would you recommend? Finally ...
5
votes
4answers
3k views
How can I secure a door with a window right next to it?
My front door has a deadbolt, but right next to the knob/deadbolt is a tall narrow window, so that you can see whoever is outside. This is a security risk as anyone could smash that window and open ...
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
450 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 ...
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. ...
4
votes
4answers
207 views
What methods can be used to make a dark colored window become opaque?
Currently, I have some problem regarding some windows, which are dark-colored. During the day time, people outside the windows cannot see people inside the windows. However, during the night time, ...
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 ...
8
votes
3answers
908 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 ...
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 ...
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
106 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 ...
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 ...
5
votes
4answers
627 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. ...
3
votes
1answer
1k views
How do I stop water from coming under my multitrack sliding doors?
I live in a desert where seasonal hard rains occur 5-10 times per year. We have an automated door with a multitrack slide that it lets quite a bit of water in when it rains hard. The door is an ...
1
vote
1answer
121 views
What window part do I need for this window?
A lot of windows on my sun porch are missing parts of the latch. I am guessing that time and cold has led to the plastic latch mechanism breaking. Some of the windows are missing both latches ...
1
vote
1answer
95 views
What should I consider when boarding up windows for a storm?
What should be considered when boarding up windows for a storm (or for that manner, during construction, etc.)? What thickness plywood is required? Should it be sized to the size of the sash and ...
4
votes
2answers
822 views
What material can I use as a temporary window pane?
I may have a renter moving into a condo in a couple of weeks. I already ordered a full window replacement for the bedroom. Since a pane of glass (3' x 4') is missing, I'm thinking to put on a plastic ...
2
votes
1answer
326 views
When re-screening window solar screens, how do I avoid warping the frame?
I'm re-screening my solar screens. I have found that a very small one is easy but larger ones present some challenges (not surprisingly).
I don't want the screen to be too loose and sag. However, ...
3
votes
3answers
369 views
Shading windows from outside (awnings, shutters, etc) to keep house from overheating in summer
The back of my house faces west, and during July and August, the sun hits it directly in the afternoon through evening. On a warm day, this can cause the house to heat up quite a bit, so I'm making ...
0
votes
3answers
545 views
What is a good source for older Crestline window locks? [closed]
I've been looking for two replacement locks for a Crestline window sash. The window was purchased from Menard's in 1993. I contacted Crestline about where to find the replacement locks and they gave ...
2
votes
0answers
259 views
How do I find out what's wrong with a uPVC window where the handle turns but it doesn't open?
How do I find out what's wrong with a uPVC window where the handle turns but it doesn't open?
It seems like one of the hidden latches along the edge isn't undoing because one side of the window moves ...
2
votes
1answer
363 views
Awning windows - How much ventilation do they provide?
I am wondering if any of you have any experience with awning windows. I am looking at a condo with large awning windows on the side (height that almost goes from ceiling to a little higher than the ...
1
vote
0answers
436 views
How do I ventilate a bathroom through a small window?
I've got a very small bathroom without a vent fan. Since it is in a condo among a lot of others in a large building, a standard vent fan cannot be installed. However, I do have a small window and was ...
2
votes
2answers
555 views
How to keep the house cool from inside by covering the window panes?
I am thinking of covering the window panes with 5 fold newspapers.
What other inexpensive items/materials can be used to cover the window panes for keeping the house cool from inside?
2
votes
2answers
789 views
Using a window as a dry-erase surface
I'd like to put some kind of easily removed clear (or semi-translucent) material on my large windows so I can use them as a dry-erase surface without blocking out the light. Any suggestions on what to ...
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 ...
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
...
0
votes
1answer
116 views
Sealing, Priming, and Painting a Window
I have a house full of wooden windows with some old flaking paint. The wood is quite solid, the glass is intact and not fogging. I was planning on scraping the windows and repainting them. My question ...
2
votes
4answers
659 views
How to repel pigeons so that they don't loiter behind my windows?
I live in a apartment in a multistory building. Pigeons often sit onto edges of window openings behind my windows and leave excrements which is rather annoying.
Is there some simple, preferably ...
7
votes
1answer
241 views
Soundproofing a room cost effectively
I am looking to get the most bang for my buck when attempting to limit the noise coming in to our bedroom from the neighbours house. The cost of re-plastering the wall is out of the question.
I have ...
