Earlier this year (2004) we purchased new windows from Sears and went heavily into debt. The new windows cost about twice what Dirk expected, but he decided to get all of them done at the same time. They're double hung, double pane windows with screens. It's so wonderful to be able to open up the windows and catch a nice breeze. The old windows were either nailed shut or else you didn't want to try to open them as you were afraid they would break. Some of the panes were held together with either glue or tape. I also couldn't scrape off the paint from when we moved in and painted every room, as I was afraid of breaking the glass.
Getting these windows in was quite an experience. Neither the guy that sold them to us or the installer (when he came out to pre-measure) told us exactly how it would be done. When Sears called later for a survey on how the work was done, I yelled (but nicely!) at them for this mistake. I had thought they would go room by room, tearing out the old windows and then putting in the new ones before they went to another room. WRONG!
The evening previous to the installation day Dirk and I went around moving everything from the windows in the kitchen and library and maybe somewhere else (I don't remember months later as I'm typing this). When the installation crew came I was told I had to move everything from around the windows. Of course Dirk was at work! So, I started moving stuff from the rest of the house - boy was it tricky walking around here for a few days. But then I had the problem of the 5 cats - how do I keep them from escaping out the open window frames?
We eventually compromised on shutting the cats up in the bathroom while they worked on the windows in the craft room. They left in the old windows until they were ready to install the new windows. Same with the bathroom and bedroom. So, I blocked the hallway coming from those rooms with some huge pieces of sheet foam so they couldn't jump over it (Rocky was a show jumper in the past, as he can jump quite high and clean). When they were ready to rip out those windows, all of the cats went into the bathroom. Once the craft room was completely done, the cats moved into there so they could work on the bathroom and bedroom.
So, for the first day they ripped out the old windows and started putting in the new windows. One of the fellows (father and son crew) installed new wood around the windows in the kitchen and library as the old wood was completely rotted away. While he was doing this, the son ripped out old windows and installed the new ones. The father also bent the aluminum framing that went around each window. They really had the routine down and worked at a good pace.
The second day they started putting the caulking around the new windows, as well as the aluminum framing. They finished up on the third day and then they were gone. Hooray, I was able to move everything back, vacuum and mop the floors (they tracked dirt all over the place, of course).
Here's a photo of the old windows for the kitchen. Lovely, aren't they? After the new windows went in, our next door neighbors came over to congratulate us. I'm sure they appreciate looking at the new windows, instead of these old ones. We had the windows put in before the house was painted (shown on the page for Outside of the House).
Here's the new wood sill and framing. That's the aluminum siding against the side of the house.
Another view of the old windows, before any work was done. Seeing these photos after getting used to the new windows, I can't believe we lived with those windows for over a year. But you do what you have to do, don't you? With the new windows and paint job, we basically have a new house! And one that you can admire from the road when you drive by.
More new wood framing. Notice the rust spots under the windows? We didn't get the attic window replaced by Sears, but Dirk did replace it later on when we were painting the outside. And it fits much better than the old window, which flopped around in the wind.
The newly installed windows in the kitchen.
And here's the windows with the frames painted a nice, fresh green. When they replaced the windows they had to rip out the inside framing, which of course trashed any paint that was on there. So, it was a good thing I waited to paint the inside window framing until after we got the new windows.
And what kitchen isn't complete without a photo of one of the cats? This is Guy munching away on his food.
The old window over the sink in the kitchen.
And the same window, but from the inside and sporting the Sears window. I love opening this window, especially when cooking.
Here I'm in the library, looking out the empty window frame towards the kitchen. That's the father outside putting up new wood framing. It looked really strange to not see any glass in the window frames. Fortunately there weren't very many bugs to deal with. And it didn't rain! Shock!
Another view of the library window, sporting the new frame. As you can see, there's 3 different paint colors. I wasn't aware of the burgundy color until they ripped out the old windows.
New windows! The top of the windows are open.
And here's the bottom of those same windows open for the cats' enjoyment. As soon as I moved the daybed back into place the cats were up there peering out the window. Good thing we have screens! Fortunately they don't push up against the screens. Whenever I open up a window that a cat can access, there's usually a cat there within a short amount of time. Of course!
Old crappy windows for the living room.
Another view of the living room. Lovely, huh?
The son doing something or another to the new windows. As you can see, the old ones are still in their frames, but not for long! Fortunately they were able to work with me pushing things back 3-4 feet. Otherwise I probably wouldn't have had enough room for everything!
Ah, new windows and everything moved back into place. Wonderful!
Old bedroom window. The blue stuff in the window is some sheet foam insulation we put up to deaden the outside noise, as well as cutting down on the drafts. Hey, to everyone else it just looked like solid blue curtains. We had also done the same in the library as there was quite a bit of a draft coming through the old windows. But not any longer! Yea!
After snapping this photo I discovered how tricky I was when taking it. You can see the new window reflected in the glass of the print over the bed, which in turn is reflected in the mirror on the wall. Check out all the light streaming in through the window!
The other two new windows in the bedroom. The dog house shown outside has since been removed. Or at least as much as Dirk could remove as it was staked into the ground with some big thing he couldn't get out. The previous owner had German Shepherds tied up there, so I guess he wanted to make sure they didn't get loose, as well as carrying the house away. Ack!
The view from inside the craft room. The old windows had lots of paint on them, so I didn't get much of a view of the laurel and blackberry bushes outside. Nor did much light come inside. Now it does, which is great for when I stamp.
And here's all the old windows piled up before the contractors removed them for recycling. Boy, were we glad to see the last of them.
