For questions relating to the installation, maintenance, and repair of windows and window treatments such as shutters, blinds and curtains.
0
votes
1answer
86 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
128 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
186 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 ...
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
53 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
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 ...
2
votes
1answer
78 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
80 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. ...
7
votes
1answer
367 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 ...
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 ...
1
vote
3answers
112 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
2answers
482 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 ...
3
votes
2answers
117 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 ...
4
votes
5answers
218 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
167 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 ...
5
votes
2answers
283 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 ...
7
votes
0answers
133 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
50 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 ...
4
votes
5answers
532 views
Should I open the top or bottom of double hung windows?
I'm a new home owner and was wondering if there is a "right" way to use the double hung windows in the house. Should I open the top or bottom? Is there a seasonality to it? Does it even matter at ...
0
votes
3answers
537 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 ...
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 ...
2
votes
1answer
342 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 ...
7
votes
1answer
240 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 ...
8
votes
5answers
414 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
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 ...
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, ...
4
votes
2answers
511 views
How to fix a house window that falls out?
Two sets of windows on the second floor of our house fall out, due to too much space between the window and frame area. It's tight enough at the corners of the frame area, but not in the middle. In ...
2
votes
1answer
401 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 ...
3
votes
1answer
752 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 ...
2
votes
0answers
173 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 ...
-2
votes
1answer
162 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 ...
1
vote
1answer
3k 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 ...
5
votes
8answers
21k views
Why does significant condensation gather on my bedroom windows overnight?
When we wake up in the morning, we're observing a significant amount of condensation on the bedroom windows around the edges on the inside (inside the house not between the panes). We had new windows ...
1
vote
3answers
609 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
218 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
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 ...
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 ...
4
votes
2answers
221 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
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?), ...
1
vote
3answers
142 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 ...
4
votes
1answer
242 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 ...
5
votes
2answers
153 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 ...
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
3answers
242 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 ...
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 ...
2
votes
2answers
774 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
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 ...
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 ...
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?
0
votes
0answers
77 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 ...
