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Building a custom window

jordonmusser | Posted in Construction Techniques on June 11, 2013 11:57am

Starting on my garage with attached house this week after a long process (once I have something to share, I will start a thread).

I have a wall of windows (floor to near ceiling) and although I would prefer the commercial “store front” look to match the modern architecture of the home, this type of installation adds an enormous amount of money to the bottom line… money that could otherwise be spend on my garage or toys in it.

I saw a home on Houzz ( http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/74727…le-Home#148826 ) That framed the glass straight into the house.

Fortunately, I can get tempered glass (insulated, ready for install into a frame) at a discounted rate. So I am considering having my framer basically make 2×6 “frames” with smaller square trim pieces to actually hold the glass and basically making the window part of the house. If I had to replace, I would pry out the smaller trim piece and remove the glass.

Anybody done this before? Seems very straight forward and a cost effective way for a window that does not need to open. I can paint the wood flat black, and hopefully get the look I am going for. My builder even commented he might be able to clad it in AL.

The cost savings is nearly $6-7K!!!

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  1. DoRight | Jun 13, 2013 10:05pm | #1

    do some homework

    I think there are some details you should be aware of.

    I looked into this kind of thing sometime ago.  Be careful what chaulk you use as some will eat teh double pane seal.  You need to allow for expansion.  You need to use some kind of spacer blocks at least on the bottom to keep teh glass from loading heavily on the bottom sill.  There may be more issues than that.  Let use know what you find and do.

  2. calvin | Jun 13, 2013 10:07pm | #2

    jordon

    You most certainly can build a window jamb for your fixed lites-just do it properly.

    You should not just frame a box and stick glass in it.

  3. DoRight | Jun 13, 2013 11:59pm | #3

    What Calvin sqid

    Make sure you do it right.  Far be it for Calvin or I to tell you actually how to do it.  Perhaps you have a favorite engineer to consult or a supplier or something.  Or maybe you could google it SOMEPLACE else, afterall, far be it for Calvin or I to actually tell you how to do it.   What do you think Breaktime is for, to actually find out how to do something?  But like Calvin said, you most certainly can build your own windows.

    In all seriousness, I know there are issues to consider as I mentioned in my last post.  Somewhere ON THE INTERNET, on a helpful site, I found detailed drawings for the sills, the spacers, chaulking, etc.  It can be found.  I looked in my favorite file and did not see the site there, sorry.

  4. DoRight | Jun 15, 2013 02:30pm | #4

    nice job

    Couple of questions.

    1.  Yur drawing does not show a rabbit on the inside side of the sill.  Was this the design or an oversight in the drawing?

    2.  You say don't use a stop on the bottom (I assume outside) of the glass.  Doesn't that allow water to work back in under the glass to the inside of the house?

    3.  What do yo use for spacers?

  5. DanH | Jun 15, 2013 04:40pm | #5

    The A-#1 rule is to make sure that the openings are square.  And if you're planning to use standard size panels, make sure openings are correctly sized for the panels, keeping in mind that the panels will rest on two small blocks of rubber that are maybe 1/4" thick.  (Ask your glass guy for precise dimensions.)

  6. DoRight | Jun 16, 2013 08:05pm | #6

    Great post / information

    Good eyes?  Well, I am not so sure anymore.  And I guess I pay attention since I have considered buiildig some windows myself.  i was thinking about doing for my house, now think I would do it for any outbuilding.  Anyway, at the risk of being accused of whining and dising advice (inside joke finefinish) another thougt for a bottom stop might be to put some weep holes at teh lower edge of the stop.  It would complete the look and provide for some drying.

  7. sunnylo | Jun 16, 2013 10:03pm | #7

    easy

    I'm doing this on a house right now. Build a jamb, set it, pop in some stops, caulk, insert glass, add stops. Simple stuff. Go for it.

  8. IdahoDon | Jun 26, 2013 01:45am | #8

    A framer is often not the right guy to make these - framing lumber will shrink, warp and a few other things that don't do well with glass.   KD wood is only brought down to 16% moisture - it's often too wet to build window jambs out of, not to mention framing lumber isn't worth a crap for window frames unless it's fairly tight grained doug fir.

    Get someone who knows what they are doing - if it's not built correctly you'll have broken glass and a unless frame, not to mention these types of windows are often poorly sealed so water gets around the wood and they are rotten in 10 years.

    Yes it's a cheaper way to go now - and you'll have to keep everything caulked and sealed well because thats the only protection against moisture and most homeowners don't.  I'd bet lunch a dozen years from now that your frames are rotten and need to be replaced.

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