Swinging windows

by brae  

I admit to stalling on this part.  The bay windows were 99% salvageable from the original kit pieces; only one window is glued shut for structural integrity and the other two work flawlessly.  The kitchen side window and the front porch window both had to be replaced with Houseworks components because the original wood pieces were too far gone to save.

There were originally three swinging windows - one in the bathroom and two in the bedroom.  Since I eliminated the one in the bathroom when I added the chimney, I had two left.  The extra parts from the bathroom window assembly tipped the odds in my favor that I would be left with enough good kit pieces to get these to work without have to build my own from scratch.

Since the exterior of the house is old and weathered, I chose the worst looking parts for the outer portion of the windows.  These have been sanded only once to remove the main splinters...there will be a lot more work done on the wood before I put it all together.  I also have boards propping them in place that won't be part of the final construction.

For instance, the one I have taped together in dry fit won't close all the way...it will have to be displayed open at all times.  That's not necessarily bad, but I would rather have them work completely.

One of these windows opens over the front bay window on the first floor.  While this isn't really a balcony, I will be installing decorative railings so it will at least finish it off in a manner that looks finished.

These are quarter scale widow's walk railings by Grandt Line.  I'll cut them to fit, then paint and age them.  They are very delicate but look suitable in scale for the bay window.

The other window, however, opens floor to ceiling with nothing outside but the ground one story below, leaving the possibility of grandma tumbling out the window!  :O  In the original kit design, this window was to be located in the open stairway, so the floor wouldn't lead up to it.  I moved the stairs to the middle of the house, which in turn caused a major problem with safety.

I have a few options.  First, I could use the window as is and tell grandma to be careful.  These are really beautiful windows in their own right.

To make this a safer option, I could add a Juliet balcony.  This is just a rough mockup with spare parts, but it shows the general idea.

There isn't a whole lot of room for the necessary support structure due to the first floor casement window if the bedroom windows are to swing out but it's workable.  This is the idea I am leaning toward using since it won't detract from the interior view and it seems the most realistic.

I could add a decorative railing of some sort across the bottom on the inside.  I would obviously cut this to a more appropriate size, but this gives you the general idea.  It looks somewhat like an afterthought to me, though, so I don't know about this idea.

The final option is to fill in a portion of the opening with the spare siding parts I have and alter the window height.  I want to keep that beautiful architectural detail from the original kit, so I'll need to come up with an option that keeps that in place.

Here I've taped in a Houseworks casement window as well as a piece of siding.  This is just for mockup purposes; the siding patch would be invisible in the completed alteration and I wouldn't use this component as is.  I'd alter the existing window pieces from the kit, raising the amount of wall space under the window to 2-3 inches.

So, there you have it...any thoughts?  :D

8 comments

Comment from: Audra [Visitor]  
That is a lot to think about, huh? I really like the look of the kit window. I love the casement window - but when I see it I think of kitchen or even a basement window. But the small window would give you a lot more wall space inside. Do you have your floor plan laid out?
03/03/12 @ 17:41
Comment from: Lucille [Visitor]
I feel that this window was meant to be elongated. This is the beauty of it. The beautiful architectural detail of the window would look out of place on a short window. I would not cut it. I would leave it as is and install a railing. Even from within the room, the window looks weird when it's short. This is a beautiful window and you're lucky to have a house that has it. I really, really hope you don't cut it. I don't think Grandma would like that! She's a big girl and she won't fall out!
03/03/12 @ 18:41
Comment from: Lucille [Visitor]
Hi Brae! It's me again. I just want to say that if you decide to add a Juliette balcony, personally, I would not add that railing on the inside. I see long flowing curtains on those beautiful windows. They are so special! I find they add so much to your house and so much to the interior of the room!
03/03/12 @ 19:36
Comment from: brae [Member]
The layout is pretty much what you see with the borrowed desk and chair as a placeholder for the vanity, with the end of the bed right by the window in question. I really don't need the extra wall space since this is a large room. I think the Juliet balcony is the clear winner as I look at the photos - with the railing on the outside. It wouldn't be needed on the inside with the safety established with the Juliet balcony. The drapery will have to be simple, just to soften the sides, and hung at the top of the rectangle and no higher. I don't want to obscure the arch at all even though in real life I would require shutting out all light to sleep! :)) Thanks for adding your thoughts to the pile! :>>
03/03/12 @ 19:46
Comment from: Elga [Visitor]
I would go for the long window too and maybe grandma likes light, my daughter can't sleep without a light on!!! It is funny about the window, we have a house at the end of the street with these double doors and no balcony or anything, I suppose they keep it permanently locked but it just looks so unfinished, actually I haven't looked at it for a long time, I should check and see if it is still balcony less.
03/03/12 @ 22:50
Comment from: Margriet [Visitor]
Love the windows!! Couldn't you let that one open to the inside...that way you can put the railing on the outside of the house and it would look more realistic! But a Juliet balcony is a good option too!!
03/04/12 @ 00:37
Comment from: brae [Member]
Having the windows open inward creates problems with furniture placement since there isn't much room for the vanity. I think the Juliet balcony will satisfy the safety requirement while not detracting from the aesthetic of the view. :D
03/04/12 @ 17:14
Comment from: Lyssa [Visitor]
I say Juliet balcony. Think of the possible overgrowth that could come up there when you landscape?!!? I'm definitely ready to see some landscaping!
03/04/12 @ 19:11


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