Anybody built their own windows/know window design?

[JordonMusser]

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/7472...-Space-for-a-Newly-Modern-Seattle-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 2x6 "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!!!

 

[rsanter]

You have the right idea. My dads house is that way where the rough openings were made in the wall. Then he took 2x6 material and framed in the surround shimming it to make it even/square.
Then he cut 1x1 strips and nailed them in using construction adhesive between them and the surround.
The glass company came out and measured the glass and then cut it to size.
The glass was installed using a sealer to prevent leaks.
The 1x1 strip on the inside was stained and clear coated before hand and then installed using finish nails. The inside piece is the one that comes out to replace the glass if ever needed.

You can do something similar with aluminum yourself if that's the look you want.
Either get aluminum U channel or have some aluminum bent to size you need into a squared U shape. The pieces that hold the glass can be aluminum extruded angle or box material and you can even have it all annodised before hand if you want.
You can also use steel if you are going to paint it.

If you weld you could weld up the corners really nice and have a perfect looking professional setup

Bob

 

[sselander]

cool idea.
Wonder if you can find some aluminum frames from a salvage yard or try Craigslist.

Side note - some people can be quite resourceful,
This guy used car parts for his house. His glass awning is old minivan windows, and the siding is metal from car roofs.

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/201...the-term-living-in-a-car-a-whole-new-meaning/

 

[JordonMusser]

Thanks.. good to know I am not out of my mind. Would be great to fabricate the assembly myself with aluminum, but as you do that you start creeping up in cost. I would also need to do that myself, and my time is limited these days ( i am already committing to several finishing items). Plus, I would need to fill the metal for insulation. Normal commercial store fronts are actually two pieces, with a rubber filler (called thermally broken) to help with heat transfer.

Although it's tempting to use small pieces of AL or steel "L" to hold the window into the wood frame to minimize it visually.. great thought.

Lots to ponder, thanks again for info and killer house you posted sselander..

 

[slghmmr88]

I have built a few projects with built in place windows but were fixed and not sliders. I used exterior door jamb material and rabbeted the bottoms at an angle with drip groove. Cut stops out of 1/2 material and beveled the bottom to keep water from pooling.

 

[JordonMusser]

Thanks for the info, didnt think about the drainage issue.

Attached are the two versions I am thinking. I would prefer version 2 because it looks more "commercial".

Need to talk to my framer...

 

[2mJps]

My dad bought out a small window company years ago. All the windows were not in frames just double pane glass. They were all sold to poeple that made their own frames.

 

[Thumper68]

My first question is where are you located, would make a difference on how the framing/sealing would be done and what materials I would recommend.

 

[theoldwizard1]

My Dad did this almost 50 years ago, but he used 1/2" thick reclaimed commercial "plate" glass. Not real efficient, but very cost effective.

The "air gap" is critical for thermal expansion and contraction. I think my Dad actually used pencil erasers for the rubber blocks.

Use the best caulk you can find !

 

[Dan_inthewind]

I built seven windows when I did a remodel on a second floor apartment. It had a porch that hung off one end of the building.

I made my window boxed frames out of two by four. Normal upper rail, lower rail and a centre rail. All pocket screws and glued. I made the glass seat with my table saw to half way. I did the weather side with my router, all continuos one piece so no leaks. Good caulking and the glass is floating in another bead of caulking. Small wood rail to finish off the inside. Been up for about four years now, no water or wind leaks.

Good luck!

 

[JordonMusser]

Thumper- Dallas TX, mild climate. Glass is 1" thick over all, 2 panes with whatever they put inside of it these days. Low-E and probably lightly tinted, they are BIG windows.

Dan- Interesting. So you actually cut a groove in the frame for the glass to sit into, and the rail held the glass in?

 

[Thumper68]

Well either one of your designs would work but I prefer the 1st. A 5 degree bevel on the sill would work well in your area.

Now if it were me I would get some nice clear douglas fir 8 quarter x 8 inches wide, bevel the outer 3.5 inches at 5 degrees and make a 3/4 rabbit for the window to sit in eliminating the outer stop.

Use a high quality oil based primer, set the window, high quality caulk around the outside perimeter.

 

[JordonMusser]

Yep, I think doing the rabbit would make the outside a lot more pleasant to look at. I need to talk to my framer, as I will not have the time to personally build these.

Thanks for all the tips. Ive been reading GL for many, many years and its quite obviously garage people are HANDS on people. Love it.

Ill post the link to my build thread when they start the foundation.

 

[elise111]

You might want to consider glazing gaskets in addition to the caulk. You can see good examples here:
http://www.conservationtechnology.com/building_glazing.html

 

[JordonMusser]

Elise- I am going to order those seals, excellent.. thanks.

Since there will be no nailing strip around the outside edge, how does one install a window like this? (i wont be doing it, my framer will.. but I wanted to think through it..)

 

[abnorm]

I used reject patio doors for a greenhouse project.....Secured the glass from the interior with wood stops that were screwed in place.

 

[ishiboo]

I would use PVC with a dado on the inside for the frame, and then you could finish the inside with wood or however you want. Would make them last basically forever.