Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Windows

UPDATE:
I think I'm going to get to have more than one big window per side!  Super excited.  Details as they develop.


High on my priority list house-wise has been to figure out my windows.  Number of windows, size, and placement.  My trailer is being fabricated, and when that is done, framing is going to begin.  Key to framing is planning for windows.

I have a few window considerations:

1)  I have a dog, and I'll probably always have a dog, and I want said dog to be able to see out of 1-2 windows without climbing up on furniture;

2)  I have a pair of rectangular stained glass pieces from my (traditional) house that I'd like to be able to hang in windows; and

Not the best photo...
3)  I have a stained glass round, and I'd like a window to accommodate that.


The "stock" design of windows in the Gifford calls for 3 matching windows per (long) side, one "picture" window opposite the front door, and 1-2 windows up in the gable/loft.  (And sky lights, but I haven't chosen those yet - I just know that I want it/them.)

For the window that I call the picture window, which is on the short wall opposite the front door, Jay has allowed for roughly a 49" x 32" window.  He calls for a 5 pane over one large pane, but my sketch doesn't show that detail - (a pretty detail that I will likely employ.)



Because of the generous size of that window, I will be able to hang my stained glass pieces vertically side-by-side in that window if I choose, depending on privacy needs and scenery.  (They will not be permanently affixed - they will have loops to hang.)


The kitchen window - it probably has a bit more flexibility with size and placement, but not a ton.  The plans call for roughly a 20" x 30" windows and that seems reasonable.  Either the kitchen or the bath will accommodate my stained glass round, which is 18" in diameter.  This sketch shows the stained glass round hanging in the kitchen window:


The bathroom window is fairly inflexible on placement, unless I want a window looking in on my toilet or into my shower.... I guess I probably have a wee (arr arr) bit of flexibility with size, but horizontally it pretty much has a set place that it needs to be installed. 

As you can see in the two sketches above, I think I am going to add a large, vertical window pane in the center of the room, one on each side of the house.  I will stagger them, so that you cannot see straight through the house, and I think the staggering will also help with the interior layout of furniture, etc.  I do not have the exact dimension of that window yet.  Nor do I know yet if it will open or not.  And the final consideration is racking.  I need to ask someone who knows more than me whether or not my walls can accept a window of that size and placement.

And then the third window, which in these two sketches is shown horizontal with the stained glass piece.  I've had varied responses from friends as to turning that window horizonally versus having it match the bathroom window.  I can't decide which I like better.  What do you think?  If you have an opinion, I'd really like to hear it.  Does it look too choppy?

 So now the work that remains here is to figure out the actual windows to order, and which windows will be operable, and then of the operable ones, which will have screens.  I love fresh air, but I'm not so excited about bugs joining me indoors.

And quite honestly, I really think one of these would be hilarious --





 but I can't figure out where it would go.  In the front door??  It just makes me laugh.


9 comments:

  1. Hi BA,
    I would make as many of those windows operable as possible, you can never have enough fresh air. I really like the dog porthole window too. Regarding window placement, the house is so small that you will know where you will be sitting for doing different functions, so I would just imagine where you will be sitting when you want to look at views or need the additional daylight. Skylights are a great thing for bringing in extra daylight, especially in such a small space. Regarding the one window which you wanted to position horizontal, I would put it vertical. Sometimes windows have to be horizontal, but it is best if the windows of house are similarly oriented and also of similar proportions. You can make up for the proportion thing with the amount of muntin bars that you put in the window, for example a wider window might be 5 lites over one lite, and a narrower window would have 3 over 1 or 4 over 1. A good rule of thumb is to try and keep the proportion of the kites (panes of glass) the same. I hope this helps! Jason

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  2. Jason -

    Wow, thank you so much! I will take all of that into consideration, and make some revisions. Many thanks for your time! You were fast! LOL

    BA

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  3. I love how you did a paperhouse mock-up with the windows :-) Stained glass for the win! Now I have to go look up widow terminology -- Jason's response has me intrigued.

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  4. For me, dogs and windows doesn't sound like a good mix, and the dog porthole is downright hilarious! Anyway, Jason is right, skylights would be perfect way to get the sunlight inside your house; it would save you some electricity too!

    Herb Koguchi

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    1. Herb,

      Talk to me - what do you mean by dogs and windows not being a good mix? Do you think she will go through the window? What am I missing? : )

      Isn't the porthole a hoot? It turns out I don't have immediate plans to use that, but it's sure good for a laugh.

      I am putting 1-2 skylights in the loft, however.

      Thank you for stopping by!
      BA

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  5. Your stained glass pieces are beautiful! I think the round one would look fantastic as part of your front door. For example, something similar to this door: http://207.190.82.172/pineriverwoodcraft/P2121493.JPG

    I am looking forward to following your progess on your wonderful new home!
    J Murphy

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    1. J -

      Hey there! Thank you! I bought those pieces in Philadephia. I was there for a weekend visiting my niece a couple of years ago, so in addition to being pretty they have some fun memories attached to them.

      I hadn't considered putting that round into my door... interesting... I am going to have to consider that!

      I love the example you gave (are you in MN by chance? I say the Pine River reference...) with the tree in the door. If you have seen my front door idea page on Pinterest, you know that I want a tree on my front door!

      Thank you for stopping by to visit!
      BA

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  6. Hi BA, maybe what Herb means is dog scratching the windows or its drapes and curtains. Skylights are great, by the way! Perfect if you want to decrease your electric bill. And it's better if you have shutters to enhance it. Cheers! =)
    Regards,
    Roxie Tenner @ WindowTreatmentsPhiladelphia.com

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  7. Great planning! Making the drafted window into a separate and removable piece is very clever. From the sketches alone, I can already tell that the windows will look good. I can’t wait to see it installed. Good luck, and have a great day!

    Lynne Hollaran @ Suburban Glass Service, Inc.

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Thanks for commenting! I love feedback.