Window Replacement, Step-by-Step

I discovered I could make a "video" of the stills I shot during the installation and spent hours timing it to the Cornershop cover of "Norwegian Wood" only to discover that (well, yes I kinda knew it) YouTube can't allow me to post things with others' copyrighted material. So, music is not as credited (I swapped for licensed music, which is actually OK, but quite different.) For those who like quirky Brit pop, I recommend checking out the Cornershop album, When I Was Born for the Seventh Time.

(I'll add music links when I figure out what's what. Meanwhile, you can find the album, and the tune, for download or streaming all over the place. Just type it in your browser and go where you will.)

Replacement Window for Work Shed

Since my first successful window replacement last November, I've been obsessed with the replacement of all old, ugly, and improperly functionng windows in my house. I now carry with me at all times a list of windows to be replaced and their measurements. My weekly visit to the local Habitat for Humanity ReStore last Wednesday was disappointing in this department. I had hoped that my first visit of the year would yield a bonanza of windows to suit my requirements. The hoardes of other shoppers on that afternoon seemed to promise great bounty. But after two go-arounds of the window racks, I found nothing that would work for any of my windows. I did find a rather bizarre and not very useful hanging lamp, though, so I bought it to assuage my lack of satisfaction in the window department. I figured I could either use it in the reorganized Vinegar Hill Workshed, or resell it in my Etsy.com shop.

Thursday I found myself back at the Habitat store. This time I looked at every window in inventory, and did find several that could work for the replacements on my list. I bought two vinyl casements for two of the most critical replacments: a 3' x 6' horizontal unit for one side of the utility room (the sunniest, happiest room of the house)  and a 46" square single-slider to replace the unbearble jalousie window of the work shed. I decided the workshed replacement would be a manageable project for the weekend. And it was.

First, some workspace had to be cleared from the cluttered work shed.  Friday morning I set about removing the louver panes and hardware, then enlisted the help of my friend Debbie for the installation. She'd helped with the first replacement, so we both knew what had to be done. This time, she showed up with her tool box, too. We were able to complete the job in about 4 hours with the tools and hardware we had on hand. The new window casement fit nicely in the space of the old fixture, but there were still some gaps inside. We repurposed some 1" x 2" wood from the old screen frame to fill the gaps and provide something for the fastening screws to sink into. We had to cut and piece the outside trim to accomodate the wider outer frame of the new window. It's a little goofy looking, but for now it'll do. I'll make a new screen for the new window later when the bugs are out. For now it's great to have a clean, air- and dust-tight window in the Vinegar Hill Work Shed.

Total cost for this project was $80 for the window. I had enough hardware and scrap around, so didn't need to buy any more. Not bad!

More about the Work Shed:

The picture shows the new double-paned white vinyl window. The two windows on either side of it are single-pane pocket windows (with screens) and will remain.

The Work Shed came with the property when I acquired it in 2001. It's actually a two-part structure, the original 9' x 16' box is built on a cement slab, faced with ordinary wood siding and paneled inside with redwood. Ceiling is open beam redwood. At some later date, an addition was built on the rear, but apparently not on a slab, so that part is slowly sinking in to the earth. Eventually it'll have to be demolished, but until then, it provides a covered structure good for works-in-progress. An upcoming sofa reupholstering project, for example.

The shed is not plumbed, but does have grounded electric for my tools. I had a new roof put on it shortly after I moved in and discovered leaks.

I added a 2010 project list the other day. I'll start linking as I complete tasks. Since I've decided to get salvaged replacement materials whenever possible, I'll tackle the projects as the materials present themselves and as makes sense, so that should keep the jobs interesting.

Ladies' Home Improvement

Last November I started my first blog, Vinegar Hill Rambles, ostensibly dedicated to books and bookbinding. Other topics that interest me soon found their way into it despite my effort to keep the blog on topic. Another exciting event for me last November was my successful installation of a new window in my library/office. I could not resist writing about it, probably to the confusion of anyone who might have stumbled in expecting book-related blogging.

So before Vinegar Hill rambles hopelessly into territories from which there is no return, I herewith establish a place for Adventures in Home Improvement including, but not limited to, home repair, decorating, dealing with "collections" (known also as "organization"), tools, techniques, triumphs and lessons learned.

For 2010, I have a long to-do list for my home and property improvement, my budget is limited AND I want to reuse or repurpose as much material as I can. For about a year now I've been cruising the local Habitat for Humanity ReStore about once weekly. I never know what I'll find there, so I keep a list of replacement and other wish items, detailed measurements and a tape measure with me at all times. Thrift stores, yard sales and flea markets sometimes yield something of interest and use as well. I have not used craiglist to find things locally, but I plan to explore more there as well.

Next, I need to write down that list.
Andrea