What happens if you don’t like the window placement on your home?
schwartzambulls asked:
Say if I wanted to add another window or take away one, etc. Say I needed to redo the vinyl siding anyway. Would redoing my windows and window placement mean tearing down the wall? How does one go about doing this, do people even do this?
Argentina
Say if I wanted to add another window or take away one, etc. Say I needed to redo the vinyl siding anyway. Would redoing my windows and window placement mean tearing down the wall? How does one go about doing this, do people even do this?
Argentina
Tags: Vinyl Siding, Window Placement
February 12th, 2009 at 6:17 am
Laurette
To change out windows you do not tear down a wall. Taking one out they close the hole with boards outside and sheetrock inside. Putting in a window somewhere else they just cut the hole and shore up the studs. this is something a pro should do.
February 15th, 2009 at 4:55 am
Eboni
Of couse people do this, all the time. My husband is a window/door service rep in the southeast. People use homes in different ways, so you will certainly enjoy customizing your taste!!
The first step to take would be aquire the services of a licensed contractor in your area. He/she will walk you through step by step.
To answer your other question, there would not be a need to tear down the walls. Your contractor will be more specific to your particular case as they will be able to “see” what you want.
Enjoy the process, and
good luck!!
February 16th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
Lovie
Let’s answer the question in two steps. First, Say I want to take a window away. That’s easy especially if you are re-doing the siding anyway. You dont need a contractor for that either. Just remove the window, replace it with studs, insulation, drywall(or whatever you currently have on the interior) then cover the outside with your new siding. For instructions on removing a window see the link below.
To add a window, it is a little more complex, but not much. First off, you need to determine if the area you want to add a window is a “load bearing” wall. If it is, you really should hire a contractor, because engineering has to be done and permits need to be pulled. In most areas, if its a non-bearing wall you can perform the work without a contractor and without a permit. Check with your city building department before you make any changes. (You may want to call a few times, or ask for a manager, the front line employees at the building department usually dont know what they are talking about or don’t have enough experience to understand what you are explaining to them. You could call three different times and get three different answers.) However, decide where you want to add the window. Remove a section of drywall, to determine whether its feasible in this area (a piece of drywall is easy to replace, should you find that you can’t place a window there, i.e. plimbing pipes, electrical, so forth.) Then you need to cut a hole in the wall 12 inches bigger than the window you are hoping in install and cut the stucco, siding, T-111 all the way to the concrete floor). An opening will need to be framed for the new window, including trimmers, king studs and a header. Install the window to manufacturer’s specifications, then cover everything up when you are done. It’s really not that hard, and if you have the tools, patience and extra time, it is something you could easily do yourself.
PS – if you’re okay with thin windows (in width) you can fit them between existing studs. This is the poor man’s way to add light to a room without making major changes to the framing. Make sure you waterproof them really good though.