Finding old wood windows
Right now our kitchen has a couple awkward window that face onto the back yard. We want to open this up with a single large window centered on that wall. This of course means getting the window soon because we’ll be opening up the wall when we demo the room, and we can’t leave an open hole for very long.
We want to open it up with a single large window centered between two pantries with bench storage just beneath it.
We got a couple quotes from Heritage Windows and Home Depot that were really high — like over $5000 high. After calling around a bit more to places like Marvin Windows and Pella, I got prices around $1500 for the window itself and another $1700 or so for installation.
Obviously these would be new, energy efficient windows with all the handy hardware. But they would be new windows, made in a factory according to a strict template. In other words, we could choose the size, color and material, but that would be all. This was a problem because all the frames I saw were simply too decorated and wouldn’t quite match the rest of the house.
But sometimes you just stumble on things, and the plan changes.
This past weekend we took a drive out to UBC. Normally we take King Eddie, but like nearly every other major east-west road, it is now under construction. So instead we took 33rd, which is somewhat less convenient. Just as we passed Arbutus, Lola saw a giant spray paint sign that said “Demo Sale”.
We pulled over and wandered in the house to take a look. It’s took bad they’re demolishing the place, becuase it looked like it was really nice once upon a time. However, decades of mistreatment from being partitioned into several rentals has pushed it beyond repair. Their loss is our gain. Everything was for sale. Windows? Yes. Doors? Yes. Everything.
So for about $200 we pickup a 3 paneled, double hung period windows that will just barely fit the space we have.
Sure we have to take them out ourselves, but that extra $1500 in our pocket should make us feel better.
They have a door and some hardwoord flooring that we might also pick up.
August 27th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
I too had a bit of a day-dreaming session awhile back about how to open up our kitchen to the back patio. Folding exterior doors seemed very appealing. Check out this jeld-wen page patio door #2 on the top right picture of the page:
http://www.jeld-wen.com/exteriordoors/fiberglass/customfiberglass/product.cfm/product_id/298
Also your sketch of the windows and pantries, was it done with SketchUp 3D? I found this product to be quite good in helping me visualize in 3D, with rotation to get different perspectives, my projects. I did my back deck with the help of SketchUp.
Recently I’ve found another product that can help us in describing to our friends or contractors the environment we’re working with. It’s call Microsoft Photosynth. What it is is a photo stitching software that can take a series of photographs that you take of a scene and the software will stitch them together by analyzing each photo. The end result is a 3D rendering of the scene with the possible ability to zoom into an incredible level of detail on key areas. Have a look at this guys synth of his 500 block east 10th Ave house:
http://photosynth.net/view.aspx?cid=e3bdd7c6-5b76-42ec-9e0f-a744e5810b58
BTW: You’ll have to install a plugin.
August 27th, 2008 at 2:17 pm
Yes I used sketchup to design and plan everything. I absolutely love sketchup, and will be posting more pics from the model shortly.
Thanks for reading!
December 18th, 2009 at 3:28 am
It is pretty looking sketch of the windows and pantries,there were some photo stitching software can take a series of photographs which custom doors.the software will stitch them together by analyzing each photo.about how to open up kitchen to the back patio.There are some other variety of custom doors like door glass, garage , sliding door, French doos, glass window, screen door, home doors, entry door, patio door, interior, exterior, doors and windows, glass windows, fire doors, security, Wood, Screen, storm, sliding glass door, entry doors, front door which is useful for make pretty house.
January 12th, 2010 at 4:17 pm
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June 21st, 2010 at 8:54 pm
Home renovation is sometimes very expensive but it is worth the expense to beautify your home.*.;
July 22nd, 2010 at 7:29 pm
this year we had a home renovation. sometimes home renovation is quite costly.;~: