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I have been considering getting some windows installed in my home in order to add some natural light. I am not talking about replacement windows. I was wondering if anybody here has done this and if so, could you share the cost? (post copied from NC board due to lack of responses in that forum).
I have been considering getting some windows installed in my home
Is the wall framed with siding or brick?
Quote:
I am not talking about replacement windows.
I was wondering if anybody here has done this...
Just last week... I added a small window for the basement through brick & block.
And I plan to add another similar one in a month or two.
Quote:
...and if so, could you share the cost?
The window was about $60; the window well about $30; the hired masonry work $250;
Digging the hole, making the "buck" and setting the window was all on me.
A fun time was had by all.
Last edited by MrRational; 03-28-2014 at 07:52 PM..
Thanks for sharing your experience and costs. I live in a typical cookie cutter neighborhood of vinyl homes. My daughter has one window in her room so it is dark. Our home is vinyl. I was also thinking of adding a small decorative window on the south end of our living room as our windows only face west in that room. While I would love for them to be functional ie. open, something small and round/square would be great too. Finally, I was thinking of adding some glass block in the kitchen between the cabinets and countertops where it is also dark. Really just dreaming at this point but was trying to see if it is even worth dreaming about! The costs don't sound too outrageous. Thanks again! Any other input would be appreciated.
We added two windows in our east-facing family room. Each window flanks the north-facing fireplace. It brought in a lot more light and we're very satisfied with our decision (wish the room faced south so we could actually have the sun shining in those windows but they're better than no windows at all).
Vinyl house and the two windows plus construction was around $3,000. Pricey but worth it.
While I would love for them to be functional...
I was thinking of adding some glass block...
The costs don't sound too outrageous.
Any other input would be appreciated.
Opening up the wall (inside and out) and adjusting the framing to support the wall above and
to be the right size for a window and then repairing the siding/trim and repairing the drywall will
be **almost exactly** the same mess and cost regardless of how large or what type or quality
of window you might choose to install into that opening.
NONE of that work is especially complicated or difficult to do for an experienced carpenter.
Installing windows is not terribly difficult, but if you don't have the experience yourself and you are not willing to give it a go, you'll be left to the mercy of a contractor. Basically all that has to be done is the wall opened up and framed for a window. We are basically talking about using a circular and/or sawzall. Then they frame up the window. Pop the window in place and secure it. Modify the outside siding to accommodate it and seal everything up properly(the hardest and most important step IMO). Then they put some trim on the inside and that is about it. Whether you were doing a picture window, or a vented or hung window, the cost of the window will not make a huge difference in the cost of this project. Generally the size of the window won't be a large factor either unless you want a very large window.
Get yourself 3 bids from either reputable companies or preferably from personal references if you can get them. There have been times where I've taken the 1st bid because it seemed reasonable to me only to find out later that I could have saved money. Don't be afraid to ask for referrals or pictures of previous work.
As far as the the under-counter stuff, I would not recommend glass bricks. Besides just being expensive for a little extra light, they don't work when it's not light outside. I.E. 6pm in the winter when you are trying to use the counters in the kitchen and you will still have low light problem. Under cabinet or similar lighting can be had for a reasonable price and IMO looks great.
Installing windows is not terribly difficult, but if you don't have the experience yourself and you are not willing to give it a go, you'll be left to the mercy of a contractor. Basically all that has to be done is the wall opened up and framed for a window. We are basically talking about using a circular and/or sawzall. Then they frame up the window. Pop the window in place and secure it. Modify the outside siding to accommodate it and seal everything up properly(the hardest and most important step IMO). Then they put some trim on the inside and that is about it. Whether you were doing a picture window, or a vented or hung window, the cost of the window will not make a huge difference in the cost of this project. Generally the size of the window won't be a large factor either unless you want a very large window.
Get yourself 3 bids from either reputable companies or preferably from personal references if you can get them. There have been times where I've taken the 1st bid because it seemed reasonable to me only to find out later that I could have saved money. Don't be afraid to ask for referrals or pictures of previous work.
As far as the the under-counter stuff, I would not recommend glass bricks. Besides just being expensive for a little extra light, they don't work when it's not light outside. I.E. 6pm in the winter when you are trying to use the counters in the kitchen and you will still have low light problem. Under cabinet or similar lighting can be had for a reasonable price and IMO looks great.
Don't forget about repairing the drywall on the inside as you will need to cut it back far enough to accommodate necessary headers. Your simple instructions also did not mention anything about making sure the window was plumb and level, etc. If you don't take care of all the things required, it is going to irrelevant whether or not everything is sealed up properly.
Installing a window is not overly complicated if you understand what you are doing, but it is definitely NOT as simple as your description made it out to be.
Don't forget about repairing the drywall on the inside as you will need to cut it back far enough to accommodate necessary headers. Your simple instructions also did not mention anything about making sure the window was plumb and level, etc. If you don't take care of all the things required, it is going to irrelevant whether or not everything is sealed up properly.
Installing a window is not overly complicated if you understand what you are doing, but it is definitely NOT as simple as your description made it out to be.
Yeah, that was not intended to be a step by step "how-to". But more to give an overview of what the process is. If you can frame in a window or a door, you should be competent enough to make sure it's square and plumb. I haven't installed a ton of windows. Maybe 50 or 60, but it isn't that difficult to get the square and plumb.
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