custom window for bathroom
- Thread starter whateg01
- Start date
What would be appealing?
I'm picturing a commercial made, non operable window compared to what I would come up with using a PVC frame and a double pane glass panel and I'm struggling to see why the pre-made wouldn't be appealing.
I'd bet by the time I made one to my satisfaction (sealed, rot free) I'd have been further ahead buying one.
The most annoying thing I've seen in what's been shown to me, custom ordered, is that the frame width takes up way too much of the opening vertically. So I end up needing an 18" window to get 9" of glass. Ok, that's a slight exaggeration, but the frames on all these were excessive, I thought. The way the salesman explained it, they are all the same but when they are assembled, a custom size gets the frame cut down from a larger standard size.
Viper98912
Well-known member
Without proper equipment, you're not capable of making something like this (none of us are):
Click on find a distributor and plug in your zip code here and make a phone call: https://www.plygem.com/how-to-buy/#/start/
I swear I don't know what the heck is wrong with people on this forum recently but everyone seems to be offended when we try to help.
I don't think I'm offended at all. Are you?Without proper equipment, you're not capable of making something like this (none of us are):
Click on find a distributor and plug in your zip code here and make a phone call: https://www.plygem.com/how-to-buy/#/start/
I swear I don't know what the heck is wrong with people on this forum recently but everyone seems to be offended when we try to help.
Good thing too. Impossible to trim those windows in a way that looks right!Without proper equipment, you're not capable of making something like this (none of us are):
Click on find a distributor and plug in your zip code here and make a phone call: https://www.plygem.com/how-to-buy/#/start/
I swear I don't know what the heck is wrong with people on this forum recently but everyone seems to be offended when we try to help.
Fav Onefour
Well-known member
I've dealt with this topic. Bought a place that had two shower windows. Previous owners had tried epoxy paints on the old windows. The corners still trapped water and failed from water leaking around and into the framing. Frames were turning into mush. Water had leaked behind.
Someone also had the brilliant idea to slap tile right on the old walls. It was a bad combo.
This was in a 100+ year old building with stucco exterior. Believe me I was nervous. I didn't want to start goofing around with the opening and redoing the stucco. I also had a building that stood fine for that many years without problems except the showers. No reason to screw up that history. I knew that slapping more fancy paint on the windows wasn't the answer.
Knowing what I know, I wouldn't worry so much if I was doing it again.
Pull the trim, measure the opening, and go to H.D. and order a tempered glass sealed unit and be done. I selected vinyl framing, but the fancier stuff will work too. Check to see lead time and pricing.
I did tile surrounds in both those showers. I used a Kerdi system for tile after sealing the opening and installing the window. I tapered the interior bottom sill inward and used high quality sealant to the window.
Whatever you decide on the shower surround, plan on the window being part of the shower. Synthetic window framing is already exterior material. The smaller opening makes the selection easier. Expansion and shrink won't be a reason for issues if it's done right.
Someone also had the brilliant idea to slap tile right on the old walls. It was a bad combo.
This was in a 100+ year old building with stucco exterior. Believe me I was nervous. I didn't want to start goofing around with the opening and redoing the stucco. I also had a building that stood fine for that many years without problems except the showers. No reason to screw up that history. I knew that slapping more fancy paint on the windows wasn't the answer.
Knowing what I know, I wouldn't worry so much if I was doing it again.
Pull the trim, measure the opening, and go to H.D. and order a tempered glass sealed unit and be done. I selected vinyl framing, but the fancier stuff will work too. Check to see lead time and pricing.
I did tile surrounds in both those showers. I used a Kerdi system for tile after sealing the opening and installing the window. I tapered the interior bottom sill inward and used high quality sealant to the window.
Whatever you decide on the shower surround, plan on the window being part of the shower. Synthetic window framing is already exterior material. The smaller opening makes the selection easier. Expansion and shrink won't be a reason for issues if it's done right.
Keep looking! Not everyone has the same resources.
Some people have mentioned building a window. Certainly doable, but given the location of the window I would build the frame out of PVC. Even then you will not have a thermal break like most windows and I would be afraid the frame will frost up in the winter and cause other moisture problems in the wall cavity.
dcg9381
Well-known member
That's what I'd do, I'd treat it like a "wet area". Slope the window framing 2 degrees and fiberglass it in 100% with a "U" shape. Assume the window is going to leak and design it to drain into the shower.
dionedcampos
Member
I totally get the frustration of wanting a unique size window and not loving the choices or prices you get from local shops. When I renovated my own bathroom, I wanted to keep as much natural light as possible but also needed privacy since the window faced directly onto the neighbor’s. I ended up going with double pane as well, and it did help with insulation (icing was never an issue in our climate), but I struggled with the frosted effect because the installed stuff can look a bit cheap if not done right. Recently, I came across something called switchable window film that lets you make the glass go from clear to frosted instantly, just with a button. Seems like it’d be really useful for bathroom windows, especially if you want both light and privacy and don't want blinds or curtains.
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mariom2019
Member
I totally get the frustration of wanting a unique size window and not loving the choices or prices you get from local shops. When I renovated my own bathroom, I wanted to keep as much natural light as possible but also needed privacy since the window faced directly onto the neighbor’s. I ended up going with double pane as well, and it did help with insulation (icing was never an issue in our climate), but I struggled with the frosted effect because the installed stuff can look a bit cheap if not done right.