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What can we do with this window?

5 years ago

We just moved into the house and we need to fix this window. The floor behind it is sunken by 6 inches and is terrible. That means the bottom of the window must move up 6 inches so it is not directly on the floor. The cloverleaf style window in my opinion is terrible and it has to go. The problem is what to do. We have had a mason to the house the brick can not perfectly be matched but we have found something very similar. We have some ideas but thought I would ask the experts. I really like the amount of light that large windows let in. I really want to get rid of at least the quarter rounds but would love to have ideas about making the entire window rectangular. The solider row of bricks is not my favorite but the window cannot be extended out that far due to the internal walls so they have to stay. (FYI-The white lines are chalk marks to help us see proportion).

Comments (15)

  • 5 years ago

    Anything you do to that window will look like a patch job unless you can stain the new brick to exactly match the old. I probably would leave the window alone, even if it ends up on the floor on the inside.

  • 5 years ago

    What do you mean about the floor being sunken? Do you have a sunken room there or is this the result of some disaster causing the floor to fail? Maybe we need to see it from inside too.

  • 5 years ago

    The floor was built 6 inches lower (no disaster yet) but it is a tripping hazard and for us with 2 small children we would like the entire 1st floor to be 1 level. We feel like it will make the house flow better and be safer.

  • 5 years ago

    Windows to the floor aren't problematic; it is just the style you don't appreciate. I would raise the floor and window if it makes you happy and you can afford it. If you need to replace brick you may be able to find a brick stain for what doesn't match. Do your research on that first.

  • PRO
    5 years ago

    I think I need to see the interior and while you are at that get rid of the shutters and IMO a new window placed where you need it after raising the floor will nessessitate changing the brick there to siding so make sure you get a good rendering before doing anything. I for sure would not do that style of window again. IMo mismatched brick is never a good choice and especially on the front of the house.

  • 5 years ago

    I'm not a fan of the cloverleaf windows either, but if you can't match the brick I would leave the window as-is; a window near the floor would be a better choice. Don't jump into this decision...take some time and weigh all of the options!

  • 5 years ago

    Here is a picture of the inside wall.

  • 5 years ago

    Well that picture was one sided. Here is my 2nd attempt. (My 1st time posting so a learning experience).

  • 5 years ago

    Wonder if French doors onto a small balcony would work on your facade. Maybe someone can Photoshop the concept for you.

    Oakley Home Builders · More Info


  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    If you can't reasonably change out the curvy part of the window, you should be able to take out the lower part and put in a smaller height picture window to raise it off the new, higher floor. If you can't get brick to match to fill in the few inches left by raising the window, You could probably do something creative with trim (maybe a window box?) to cover it. If not a window box, then paint the lower part of the new trim as close as possible to the brick color and get creative with your landscaping to hide it.

  • 5 years ago

    I like the idea of a window box or something decorative on the lower part of the window to allow us to raise it without seeing the change in the lower part of the window. I also have found some brick that are really close. I plan on posting a picture tomorrow (it is dark outside now) to get people’s opinions.

    Thanks for all the ideas. We have lived here about 8 months and I have been thinking about this the entire time and need to do something so I appreciate all the help.

  • 5 years ago

    Here are the bricks we found that sort of match. If we take and just rid rid of the quarter rounds and make it a large square opening with a half round on top. We will only needs these on the top solider row of brick to square it out.

  • 5 years ago

    That does look like a pretty good match. If the patch is obvious after you finish, maybe you can touch it up with this:


  • 5 years ago

    Thanks groveraxle.