Hi All
I am building a wood shop/ Barn type of building. It will be uninsulated . I am looking for inexpensive window alternatives. I would rather not pay for double glazing in an unisulated building. Does anyone know of companies that still offer single glazing? Or just an inexpensive alternative. I prefer brick mold to nailing fin type of frames for this application. There will probably be a picture style and a few DH’s or awnings.
HC
There are important considerations to keep in mind when building a slab-on-grade home with continuous insulation.
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.
Start Free Trial NowGet instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.
Start Free Trial Now
Replies
On the chance that you might insulate it next year, why not go ahead and install a HD-Lowes stock insulated window? Shouldn't cost much.
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
If you can be flexible with your design, opportunities abound. Here's a $1/ea purchase I built into mine. At one time, 2 of the large panes were doors in a truck dealership. The smaller (uninstalled when I took the pic) casement came from a client house, redwood single-glazed. They wanted something warmer. I didn't.
PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!
Trees everywhere and leaves on the ground, I miss VA.
Trees everywhere and leaves on the ground, I miss VA.
No accident that we live here. I've been told how lucky we are. Luck had very little to do with it.
It's all about choices. Ohio houseguest recently expressed surprise that we've been a decade in a place that we'd be perfectly happy to grow old in. Not this house exactly, but the mountain. Like putting the copper roof on that building, I expect the relationship to last.
Far as I can tell, our situation ought to be common. If not, why not? Everybody has choices.PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!
Yep, after posting I realized I forgot to mention the rolling terrain. I have lived in VA and it also looks like my home state of Tennessee.
I told someone Wednesday, that I certainly would not be here in this area of Texas if I did not believe this is where God wants me right now. I am very blessed, but it has little to do with the beauty of the countryside, especially when compared to to VA and TN.
Almost nothing to do with windows....
Flatland doesn't do much for me. I've been told that Texas "hill country", wherever that is, is really nice. Might just be relative to the parts of Texas I've seen (and was happy to leave). Natives here found it strange that we left Colorado, looking for a mountain. <G> Coloradans generally opine that we didn't find one.
Just yesterday met a guy who remembered Denver very fondly (astounded that we left)- but that was from the early 70's. Large populations make a big difference, virtually anywhere. That's my primary concern here. "Large" is obviously relative, but the new U. research park will double our population when completed. Appears I'm about the only one who did't welcome it with open arms. Even the anti-development folks. Unsure where they thought all the new arrivals were going to live...
It occurred to me, after posting, that we really like a lot of places. Areas that I don't necessarily want to live. Sonoran desert is one of them, although it's changed immensely from my happy childhood memories. Before settling in Va, we land-shopped much of the west: coastal Bellingham, Wash to Monterey, Calif; Idaho, Ariz, New Mexico, and southern Colo. An important trip for us, second only to a much longer one we did, similar intent, in the early 70's.
That one was outside the US. If Norway hadn't had such long winters... Sinai also felt like home, but it's part of Egypt now.
Certainly can't speak for everyone, but for us and most of the people we know, where you wake up colors your whole day. Our Ohio houseguest awoke to see the large trees just a few feet from our 8' tall banks of bald windows. Then stepped outside to greet the sunrise creeping over a mountain and listen to the woods critters looking for breakfast.
At his house, I awoke to the sound of the quarry (mile away), running 24 hrs. Didn't really want to go outside, where it was louder.
As you've found, community makes a big difference. We had different expectations than you, but did examine prospective communities carefully. Ideally, everybody could/would live in grace.
Oooh, windows. Second the motion for fixed glass. Very inexpensive, function beautifully. Here's our southern bank of low e (reflecting the winter view):PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!
I'd go the vinyl replacement route...although they'll be double pane (a) you're covered if down the line you change your mind on insulating and (b) if this project requires a permit they too may be required.
Check with some local manufacturers....often times they'll have damaged units that they'll seel cheap just to get rid of them.
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
for me probably the one most important architectural gesture one can make for any structure is the use of multi lite wood sash muntined windows and I can't help but think you could find some available for purchasedefinitely more expensive than twenty yrs ago but should be available as they sure are replacing them by the hundreds everydayin the olde ones you even get the "bottled" glass
I believe you can still special order single pane windows. I did for a garage project and even got almond colored vinyl.
Replace some of the roofing/siding with fiberglass.
happy?
Have you thought to call a window replacement contractor in your area and see if you could pick up a few of the windows he is yanking out? You'd be saving him dumpster space.
jt8
"When you take charge of your life, there is no longer need to ask permission of other people or society at large. When you ask permission, you give someone veto power over your life." -- Geoffrey F. Abert
Find an aluminum window dealer. I just bought some white alumnum double pane for a job to match existing for about 80.00 each. They do leak in the corners so pans are a must.
my local lumber yard still sells "barn sash". It's single pane glass and comes with no jambs, just the sash (sorta like a picture frame w/o the picture). If you're building a barn I'm sure can build a jamb or just nail them in a hole sawn in the siding, no stool, no apron, no jambs. If you want them to open just hang them from hinges and voila a top swing awning window or use a chain at the top and hinge the bottom. The fun part is making the jambs.
The older you get the more the journey matters.
my local lumber yard still sells "barn sash".
mine does not, and was unable to stir any up from any of suppliers in January - could you check the manufacturer (or just identify the yard)? - still need those 3 I was looking for and now need 4 more besides - 36"X24" -
thanks for any help - "there's enough for everyone"
Check places selling nursery supplies. Sometimes barn sashes are used for cold frames.
If ignorance is bliss why aren't more people
happy?
There's a window manufacturer locally here who still manufactures and sells wood, single pane windows on the cheap, albeit slightly cheaper than a vinyl double thermal pane. I am sure if you check out local manufacturers, you might be able to find one similar.
We used them for someone we built a three season porch for. Work just fine.
We have several construction recycling outfits near us. Vast quantities of windows in all shapes & styles at great prices. Where do you live (hint: fill out your profile please!)
Your profile doesn't say where you're located but if you're in or near eastern MA then have I got a deal for you - I have about a dozen vinyl replacement windows (insulated glass, all vinyl inside & out, tilt to clean, good sash locks, screens included, etc.) that I've removed from my house and would like to sell (cheap).
On the other hand, if GCNC means you're in North Carolina, please pardon the spam.
Well, the ultimate alternative is to just use fixed glazing. Frame the opening, set jambs, sill and head in it. Put in door stop all the way around on the outside. Get a piece of glass to fit that opening, and set it in place. Screw in door stop on the inside to hold the glass. Done.
You could also yellow pages or google for Architectural Salvage (or Builder's Salvage) in your area--they sometimes have sashes available. Find the collection of those you want/like, and frame to suit.