Sunday, January 31, 2016

There Is No Such Thing As a Simple Window

Thank goodness that those Tuscan farmhouses had very few windows - and small ones at that. When this farmhouse was being renovated and was metamorphosing into a small villa, the new owners realized that it would be inordinately expensive to enlarge or change the windows in any way because of the necessity of cutting through the thick stone walls. Nevertheless, it did seem as though the main living space of the villa should have slightly more stately windows than the ones original to the farmhouse. So it was decided to change just the tops of the two windows by cutting into the stone and adding a small arch.

That's my background story, and I'm sticking to it!




My first step was to decide what style of window to use. I had a variety of windows on hand from which to choose. I decided to use the simplest style, since this is a simple villa.


    

I cut down the ready-made window frames to fit the windows. I had to cut apart a double-paneled window to make each single panel, which seemed wasteful but necessary.  



Next came the hard part of cutting through the stone-like drywall compound to make the arches. How much easier it would have been if I'd made this decision before the wall was stuccoed! I had to do some patching with bits of styrofoam to get a better fit.



The arched windows have been re-stuccoed with the drywall compound.



I finished a light sanding on the windows. I didn't spend much time on the sanding, because it would surely have to be repeated time and again before these windows were a good fit. 



I was right - additional patching with styrofoam strips was necessary. That 1 1/2 inch thickness can sometimes be difficult to work with.



A little more stucco has to be applied to the patched areas.



While the stucco dries, I have time to cut window panes to fit in the frames. The last time that I made windows, I used plexiglass for the panes but was not happy with the results. This time, I purchased some lighter-weight material, although I wasn't sure that it would be heavy enough. Then one of those serendipitous moments happened: I was opening up a plastic-encased item when I suddenly realized that the plastic was perfect for the window panes! So I used that instead of the purchased plastic.



I'd better not get ahead of myself; the window frames should be painted before I install the panes. But I haven't quite decided yet what color I want the frames! Maybe this color?



Now that the window openings are almost the right size, I can admit that the arched top of the window is not wide enough to fit the span of the panels. The panels must be sanded down to fit the bottom width of the arch. And sanded and sanded and sanded. It might have been easier to cut off a portion of the edge, but my saws aren't very sharp. I was doubtful that I could cut off such a thin strip.
I seem to always use makeshift tools. I could get new ones, except that I never know the sort of tool that I'll need until the time is at hand. So I make do with makeshift.



Now the arches are in alignment with the window panels. This is a photo of the exterior side of the windows. I have installed some of the plastic window panes to see how they fit.



 I changed my mind about the color of the interior windows. This peach-apricot color will be the base coat for the interior walls of the villa. The window frames had to be painted before I permanently installed the panes. I also needed to make and install the pulls for the four window panels after painting but before installing the frames in the window openings. 



I got out my box of assorted tiny bits and pieces to see if I had the makings of window pulls.



I found four hooks and four brass beads and four flower things with long stems that I thought should all work together to make the pulls.



I glued the beads inside the top of the flowers.



Then I snipped most of the long stem off the flowers, leaving just enough to push into the wood of the window frame. The short-stemmed flowers were inserted and glued into the top loops of the hooks.



I painted the pulls with a black/brown paint color combination.



I pushed the glue-covered short stems of the flowers into the wood frame, installed the plastic window panes, and was ready to put the window frames into the window openings. 



And I was not a bit surprised to find that the windows were still not a good fit. So I added another bit of styrofoam to the interior sides of the windows.




And more styrofoam strips to the exterior sides.



Another stucco repair job to both interior and exterior windows.



Followed by more sanding on the interior...



...and on the exterior. That was followed by a much-needed window washing.



I painted the interior arched window openings with the peach-apricot base coat.



And the villa living room has its slightly stately new windows!


And so this blogpost comes to an end, as does January. The end of January is always a big thrill for me! So tonight I celebrate its close. I would say that means that the worst of winter is over; but although our last snow is almost entirely gone, in a day or two, we've been warned, a blizzard will blow in another foot of the stuff. The arrival of February in no way means the arrival of spring, but it does bring us one step closer. Thank you for stopping by. Have a Happy February!



Goodbye, January! Goodbye Snow! (For a short time.)

13 comments:

  1. Me encantan las nuevas ventanas!!!!
    Besos.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Pilar - I'm glad you like the windows. I had to struggle with them, but was finally satisfied. Now on to the next struggle!

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  2. I love your new project Marjorie, I'm curious what's next, your pictures from progress are interesting. Cheers! Magda

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    1. Hi, Magda - Thanks for your nice comment. I'm working now on the next thing - and it's harder than the windows! Is anything ever easy? (But I love doing even the hard things!)
      Marjorie

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  3. Hello Marjorie,
    Okay, it was clearly a lot of unpleasant work, but was all worth it. The installed windows look PERFECT! I just love the style of window you chose and all that fiddling around to get the perfect fit paid off. Just the flat wall with the fireplace looks so charming! You did an excellent job and I can't wait to see your next post.
    Big hug
    Giac

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    Replies
    1. Hello Giac - It's always so good to hear from you, since you never have a discouraging word! Thank you for your nice comments. It WAS all worth it in the end. The funny thing is that I was going to entitle the window post "Windows Are the Worst." Then I started work on the next project, and decided that deserved the "Worst" designation! I'm working on that one now; I hope it improves with time. Fortunately, things usually do. I think I like these challenging wrestling matches!
      Marjorie

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  4. Hi Marjorie!!! I am so excited seeing you new windows! I love the thick walls and the way that you have modified the windows to fit them as well as give them an arched opening, makes them look Splendid! Love the firebox opening for your fireplace too. Yes indeed one step closer to Spring, and I too, can hardly wait! :D

    elizabeth

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    1. Hi, Elizabeth - Thank you for your positive comments on my villa windows. I seem to be "bashing" lots of windows to get the results that I want. But it's all so much fun, isn't it? In addition to working on my villa and waiting for spring, I've been reading another Elizabeth Goudge book, "The Child From the Sea," and of course that makes me think of your "#43 Green Dolphin Street," so I've gone back to revisit your posts on the same and enjoyed the visit immensely. Thank you for such a pleasant time.
      Marjorie

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  5. Wow I love your windows all the hard fiddly work was worth it as your windows look amazing.
    Hugs Maria

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    1. Hi, Maria! Thanks for saying such nice things about those windows - all that work! My husband's only comment was, "You poor thing!" Your comment sounded a lot more positive!
      Marjorie

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  6. The windows (and fireplace) are coming along nicely. It looks great. Keep up the good work!

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  7. The windows (and fireplace) are coming along nicely. It looks great. Keep up the good work!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thanks, Troy. I am keeping up the work - I hope it will be good. (The next thing is proving to be a struggle. But I think I'm holding my own so far.)
    Marjorie

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I'd love to hear your comments!