For questions relating to the installation, maintenance, and repair of windows and window treatments such as shutters, blinds and curtains.
2
votes
0answers
346 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 ...
2
votes
0answers
437 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. ...
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
3answers
837 views
Window caulk gets a gap in winter
I have a front window that has about a 1/32 inch gap in the summer, but about a 1/4 inch gap in the winter. The original caulk completely came loose and allowed condensation from the window to get ...
2
votes
2answers
192 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 ...
1
vote
3answers
612 views
How do I patch this hole in my vinyl window frame?
Not sure what the previous homeowner was thinking when he drilled this hole, but what would be the best material to patch it with?
As you can see in the picture, it's a purely aesthetic fix but I'm ...
1
vote
1answer
686 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 ...
1
vote
2answers
794 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 ...
1
vote
1answer
332 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
3answers
114 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 ...
1
vote
1answer
420 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 ...
1
vote
3answers
143 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
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 ...
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 ...
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
2answers
141 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 ...
1
vote
1answer
75 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 ...
1
vote
1answer
98 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?
1
vote
1answer
652 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 ...
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 ...
1
vote
1answer
135 views
Can Double Glazed units be repaired?
If a double glazed unit has one of its glass panes shattered can the unit be repaired?
Or does the whole thing need to go in the trash?
I know that a double glazed unit is sealed with inert gas ...
1
vote
1answer
81 views
Combined wood and aluminium windows
We would like to have wooden windows in our newly bought apartment which we are renovating at the moment. The apartment is old and we feel that alu-windows does not fit the "soul" of the apartment.
...
1
vote
1answer
84 views
Home-made joint for a top window
I have some sort of artisanal, metal, top oriented, window that essentially serves as a light well (but the room is almost completey dark, the main door is covered by a curtain because my girl friend ...
1
vote
1answer
224 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 ...
1
vote
1answer
449 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
2answers
192 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
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 ...
1
vote
1answer
54 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 ...
1
vote
0answers
51 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 ...
1
vote
2answers
497 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 ...
1
vote
1answer
172 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
0answers
435 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 ...
0
votes
2answers
128 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
2answers
463 views
How do I keep the plastic window insulators sealed when the window has a sill?
Last winter I covered my windows in my apartment with a window sealing kit so keep out any drafts. The winds and temperatures are pretty extreme around here and the plastic would peel away from some ...
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 ...
0
votes
1answer
91 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 ...
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 ...
0
votes
3answers
539 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 ...
0
votes
3answers
82 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. ...
0
votes
1answer
87 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 ...
0
votes
1answer
157 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
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 ...
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 ...
-1
votes
1answer
94 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 ...
-2
votes
1answer
163 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 ...
