November 16, 2016

Dining Room Windows Done!

I haven't blogged about house projects in a long time. This is because most of our work on the house is done during winter months. In some ways that's kinda crazy, because who in their right minds replaces windows and finishes hardwood floors in freezing weather? The thing is, that's the time when there's less to do outdoors, so there's time to work indoors. Once the weather gets nice we're outside again. All of that means that for almost a year, now, my dining room has looked like this:


Blog posts about this project with lots of close-ups and other photos are here:

Getting the windows done on the Little Barn switched Dan into a project-finishing mode. His next project to finish was those windows.


All they needed was a little more caulk and the trims. Nothing fancy, just 1-bys and sanded plywood.


Paint makes the difference.


I always enjoy before and after pictures, so here are mine:

Dining room windows before: single-glazed, cracked panes, and broken
latches. No insulation under the trim to allow space for window weights.

Dining room windows after: double glazed, energy star rated
windows with as much insulation as we could stuff into the spaces.

Just in time for Thanksgiving. All I have left to do is to replace the curtains and maybe get new socket and vent covers.

Here's how they look from the outside:

You can see an outdoor before photo here.

I really liked the style of the original windows, and when we first bought the house we thought we'd try to restore to the original look. We might have been able to do that if all we were about was the house, but that's not the lifestyle we want. The house needs to be energy efficient and in good repair, but not picture perfect. Even so, I like it to look nice, and I'm happy with what we've done so far.

29 comments:

jewlz said...

I like the final look inside, but LOVE the way it looks from the exterior. Always reminds me of a happy smile lol. Enjoy that first holiday in there!

Michelle said...

Lovely, like everything you two do! Looks like you'll be ready to host Thanksgiving. ;-)

Dani said...

Stunning - well done again Dan ;)

Leigh said...

Jewlz, thanks! I almost hate putting the curtains back because they'll cover the uniqueness.

Leigh said...

Last year we had Thanksgiving with bare walls, bare shelves, and unfinished windows! This makes something we're definitely thankful for. :)

Leigh said...

I'm always pleased with what Dan does. :)

Bag End Gardener said...

One of the things I love about blogs is how we can use them to track the (often far too slow) progress of house renovations. Your new windows are gorgeous and as always - huge congrats to Dan :)

Ed said...

I'm guessing I will never see another pair of windows like those!

I too am gearing up for winter by planning my inside projects.

Renee Nefe said...

Can't wait to see the curtains. :D I'm sure you want to cover up the view of the water tank...right? ;)

Sandy Livesay said...

Leigh,

Neat looking windows, I love the final project.
Just in time for the weather to change and keep the house nice and cozy.

Donna OShaughnessy said...

Those are so cool! Like little sleepy eyes, so very unique. Well done Dan. For us, we have no neighbors at all and so we skip curtains. No neighbors is what WE are grateful for.

Farmer Barb said...

They are absolutely LOVELY!!

Leigh said...

Jane, that reminds me that I need to update my "Our Old House" blog!

Leigh said...

LOL, I'll take that as a compliment, although I've often wondered if people see our house as becoming too eclectic. Still, I think it's all been working together aesthetically, and that's what I like. :)

Leigh said...

LOL. That water tank isn't very pretty, I admit, but I'm rather proud of its purpose so don't mind. Dan minds! At last conversation about said tank, he was planning to surround it with privacy fence pickets. I agree with him that it would look nicer than plastic.

Leigh said...

Sandy we can feel a difference in the house with the cooler temperatures. We noticed a difference last year, but now that everything is snug and secure it's taking less wood to heat the house!

Leigh said...

Would LOVE to have no neighbors! Curtains are a must for privacy, but I like them as an added layer of insulation, for the color, and in the dining room, to help absorb sound! Without them the room has that "empty room" sound.

Leigh said...

Barb, thanks!

How are you doing? You don't update your blog very often!

deb harvey said...

could you paint the water tank as you painted the beehives? make a lovely view.

Leigh said...

Wow, now that's an idea. In all our spare time, LOL. I'll have to see what Dan thinks. One problem is that paint for plastic is harder to find. Mostly spray cans and very expensive in cans. But I like your idea.

Renee Nefe said...

I think you can get a plastic primer that will accept other kinds of paint for the final design...but yup there's the matter of time.

DFW said...

They look great Leigh (& Dan). Congratulations on another project completed!

Cozy Thyme Cottage said...

Hi! Your new windows really look lovely and congratulations on getting them done. Makes sense to me to be pretty and efficient! Admire all you guys do. Nancy

Mrs Shoes said...

I found your blog through some wandering (hiding inside from the cold), & I've added you to my blogroll so I can keep up. Lots of good info here, I can already see!
When you have a minute, hopefully you'll drop by the 4Shoes & leave me a comment.

Leigh said...

One day when I was at Lowes I asked about primer for plastic because the oval window in our front door is framed in plastic (er, vinyl). They told me any primer should do. We'll see!

Leigh said...

Thank you! It's a relief to have it done.

Leigh said...

Welcome! I've just gotten back from a visit to your blog. Nice to meet you!

Leigh said...

Okay, my reply disappeared. Thanks Nancy! Curtains are going back up today.

Farmer Barb said...

Too much pain. Just waiting it out. Spinning and knitting.