Moving lots of windows, need some hand holding

14 years ago

Although this isn't a specific kitchen question I know many of you are experienced renovators so I thought I would pose the question in this forum.

I have posted questions and pictures about this wall in the decorating forum and other places around the board so if I'm driving you crazy with my angst I apologize.

We are planning a major change to large window wall in a home we are purchasing later this month. We are pretty handy and do most things DIY so it makes me nervous to have to rely on a contractor to get something done.

We plan on changing this:

To something like this:

traditional family room design by cincinnati architect Richard Taylor Architects

The seals are broken in windows and need to be replaced. There are claps on the exterior wall that also need to be replaced. So, we are trying to combine some neccessary maintenance and updating at the same time. We have a buider/designer currrently working up a quote.

The job will involve removing the existing window blob, reframing the wall for three windows at floor level to match the existing windows on the edges of the wall, adding three transoms above the new windows and putting a small decorative window in the peak plus replacing the damaged cedar claps on the exterior wall. My husband will remove the chair rail and we plan on painting the whole room one color.

The contractor said that since we will be filling in the framing and using less windows that there will be no structural considerations. Are there any things besides the the basic framing, electrical changes, insulation, type/brand of windows, interior and exterior finish work that I should examine in the quote? Any advice or suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

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Comments (4)

herbflavor
14 years ago
With the size consideration, I would assign some window portion to a large fixed pic window..[in the middle?] And the windows flanking-L and R sides, be the operative ones[or vice versa]. Get the perks from windows-Yes, but don't see the need for that much operative windows. Some fixed segments will help the budget and then design the other ones with the transoms,whatever.
liriodendron
14 years ago
Are the other windows on the building arch-headed or more rectangular like your new ones will be? Are the sash and muntins on the other windows in the house similarly thick as the arch-headed window you want to replace? The proposed new windows have much more delicate look (Shingle style) about them. They might look odd with other windows built with thicker sash and separations like the arch-headed window. Will you be lowering the sill height on all the indows in the room ( i.e. below the dado)? How does that look with other windows on the sides of the house?

Don't forget to consider how the fenestration pattern looks from outside the building. We're in a period of (unfortunate, IMO) of window willy-nilly-ness where not as much thought about exterior looks compared to interior desires is being taken. I regularly see some pretty awkward-looking window placements (off-centerness, out-of-proportion combinations, odd combinations of vertical and horizontally-oriented windows, muntins and non-muntins mixed together, etc.) on renovations around here.

In general, buildings look best when there is a distinct rhythm or pattern to their windows; if all the windows have the same general shape (vertically/horizontally); if the windows are centered over each other from story to story and if the windows on the lower floors are larger, rather than smaller, than those on the upper floors. Exceptions like dormers, oriels, accents, etc., aside, the windows should be a unifying design regulator to the overall mass of a building. Don't mess with that strong force casually just because you want an opening at a certain place on the inside.

Of the technical issues, just make sure your contractor is a good flasher. Read up on the types of flashing and water shielding and where it should, and should not, be in order to have leak-free windows. Make sure you have a good drip kerf on the underside of your windowsill. Also, from personal experience, try to get windows made with few if any fingerjointed wooden pieces. I think it's worth extra money to get clear wood. Don't rely on paint to keep those joints covered and intact for the long haul. I live in a mid-19th century house, with orginal window sash and framing. My 165 year old windows, though in need of restoration - a long, tedious job that should occupy the rest of my life! - are still in slavageable condition because they were made from solid, clear, pine. Machines capable of finger-jointing scraps into serviceable lengths hadn't been invented in 1850, thank God. OTOH, neither had Grace Watershield been invented.

HTH,

L.
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deegw
Original Author
14 years ago
Herbflavor - Thanks for the fixed window suggestion. That's a great way to save money.

liriodendron - All the other windows in the house are rectangular. The current shape and placement of the arch and square windows are the sore thumbs. Thanks for the flashing reminder. I've read many GW horror stories and I'll be sure to be on top of that issue.

Thanks!
bmorepanic
14 years ago
Oh, h*ll yes! That's going to be pretty.

Flashing, exterior moldings, preplan how the interior wall surface and casings will meet up with the window styles so you don't have any joints in the sills, shims are a requirement for a healthy window - its not like cabinets where a shim is used to correct an issue, the shims will guaranty your operable windows are easy to use many years from now.

Sometimes getting matching exterior moldings is a bit of a puzzle but sometimes the mfg offered trim is actually good.

I'd like to be able to give you words of wisdom about working with contractors - but I don't have any. Have as much as possible in writing, take photographs, hold back as much money as you can and remember he's in business, and not a friend. Anything going on you don't understand, ask him. Anything he's doing that worries you, ask why he's doing what he's doing.

If at any time he gives you an answer like "I've been doing this for 25 years and I've never seen ...", practice serenity, repetition and get out the specs.