Our house is a Northwest contemporary style. I have always thought that the one window in the living room would look really cool if we replaced it with a large (approximately 4’6″ or more in diameter) round window. Well, hubby has absolutely balked at this notion because it would be too expensive. However, yesterday, in a very unfortunate incident, the carpenter working on the eaves for the new roof knocked a piece of lumber through the window in contention. He says his wife has horses, I think a five pound bag of carrots would be a nice tip, don’t you all?
So, I am desperately seeking a large round window that is double pane yadda yadda since it will be on a North wall, and the breeze off of it will be coming down our backs while watching TV on cold Winter nights. However, I need to find one that I can afford (to buy *and* install) without hubby having a coronary over the cost. It needs to be plain, no grills, to match the rest of the house, and fixed. I would be delighted to find one that a manufacturer made and someone refused because it wasn’t quite the right size, or the casing got scuffed in shipment or something like that. However, I don’t know where to begin searching for something like that. I am in the Seattle area, for shipping considerations…
Any help or hints of where to hunt for a manufacturer that makes reasonably priced round windows. (yes, I see that eye roll!) Or might have some on discount somewhere gratefully appreciated!
Replies
Start with calls to lumber yards, then window manufacturers in your area.
I used to buy what were called "dead cats". Windows that were ordered and never used for whatever reason.
Most lumber yards that cater to the pros have a small section of their yard that is dedicated to these windows. Manufacturers end up with windows they made mistakes on and had to take back and generally have a small stock of them as well, used to have one near me that had a huge sale of all their returned stuff 2 x a year.
There also is a good likely hood that in an area like Seattle there will be a small company that specializes in buying these "dead cats" from both yards and manufacturers and resells them.
The phone is going to be your ally.
I suppose things like angies list or whatever is popular in your area.
Most lumberyards have a shed for dead window orders they sell off once a year so call the yards in your area.
Install will still eat up some bucks because triming and flashing are time consuming
You really should have found the wndow before getting that carpenter to break the old window, even tho that would have looked more suspicious, LOL
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""You really should have found the wndow before getting that carpenter to break the old window, even tho that would have looked more suspicious, LOL"" Snork!
They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.
Piffin
Specialty windows like that can be found at construction surplus places. there are several in The twin cities area.
While most of the stuff at the local Habitat ReStore are used (well used) they often get new stuff donated.Minor blems, miss orders, changes in design, etc..
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A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
"Install will still eat up some bucks because triming and flashing are time consuming"Hope I can pick your brain a little...have two (smaller) round windows to do. What's your methodology? My brand is Anderson, if it matters.TIA,
Todd
Some companies make a casing in limited profiles for the round ones they sell -at premium cost of course.I have a Williams and Hussey millwork machine that I use to form my own casings to match what I am making for the homes. If to be painted, MDF is the least expensive stock to use. You can cut wide of the line, then use a router on a swing arm top clean up the edges and same to shape a profile on the face. I it is to be clear stock finish, then you have segment the stock and cut the curve, or laminate it from glued up ripps and then mill the profile.For exterior flashing, we use lead in short pieces that are easy to shape and layer them with siding like step flashing on a roof.
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Pif,
Thanks for the input. I have a sheet of 5/4 ext. sign board material (think it's mdo) that should work for the trim.As far as lead, I don't frequent the roofing specialty suppliers but have never seen it in typical lumberyards here in central PA. Maybe mail order time.Todd
MDO is not MDF, but it might work OK for flat stock. I wouldn't try putting any profile on it.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
MDO is not MDF, but it might work OK for flat stock. I wouldn't try putting any profile on it.If you are talking exterior, the MDF needed would be Medex, though I think formulas have changed. Azec might be the better choice for ext.
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Thanks for all the tips guys! If only work were not insane right now, I don't know when I could take the time to call around, but I will see what I can manage. yeah, hubby woulda figured it out if I already had the window ready to go when the carpenter broke the original one.... There are times when it just doesn't pay to be married to a smart guy....and Todd, you posted
"As far as lead, I don't frequent the roofing specialty suppliers but have never seen it in typical lumberyards here in central PA. Maybe mail order time."
Um, stop and think about that one Todd.... With lead, it isn't the cost of the metal, it's the shipping on a package that is as heavy as, well, lead....
I used to work with lead shields and lead aprons - they are a workout!
Kilroy
specialty windows like that can be found at construction surplus places.. Don't be hung up on double pane glass.. very easy to retro fit the glass from single pane to double pane Find the frame that will work for you first and then worry about the number of pieces of glass..
If you are looking for a inexpensive vinyl window:
I purchased a half round vinyl window through Lowes earlier this year. Over all size was 66"x 104". Of that the, lower 32" was a XOX slider. The remaining 72 "upper was one piece of glass(dual pane insulated). It ran around $1100.
They were the only one that could order me a vinyl extruded from the has the one piece frame with flush fin(as in a stucco retrofit)
It was made by IWC. Other brands could make the window, but they didn't include the one piece flush fin.
The price of the single glass 66x72 single piece glass unit was $531.00. The remain slider part was about the same, plus factory mulling charges of the two windows to make them one
From what i can remember , I believe certainteed (in washington)can do this type of frame. As for where you are located, it may vary because of wind loads, such as in the pacific northwest (glass sizes and thicknesses)
Depending on far off the floor this window is, it might need to be tempered, for safety. That will make it cost more