Home Improvement Stack Exchange
Home Improvement Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [windows]

For questions relating to the installation, maintenance, and repair of windows and window treatments such as shutters, blinds and curtains.

1261 questions
28
votes
7 answers

How can I reduce noise coming in a window for under $100?

I live 200 feet from a 6 lane highway, and the noise is rather annoying to say the least. I would like to reduce the noise coming into my 58"x 70" bedroom window by at least 50%, as I think the noise is causing stress and tension. Unfortunately,…
fixit7
  • 1,198
  • 9
  • 23
27
votes
8 answers

Why do British houses have "indoors" windows in some rooms?

Example: I've seen this many times. Apparently, it's a thing that in the UK, they have rooms with windows that lead to other indoors areas, located high near the ceiling. What is the purpose and history of this practice? What is the point to have…
H T
  • 271
  • 1
  • 3
  • 3
22
votes
6 answers

Will window shrink-wrap make a noticeable difference in heating bill in house with single-paned windows?

I'm curious how well the window shrink wrap really works. I moved into an older house (1927) in Lincoln, Nebraska, this summer. It's all single pane windows with a window screen and a storm window, as well. We have about 20 windows, so I'm…
JWB
  • 331
  • 2
  • 5
20
votes
2 answers

1lb of cure is worth 10 tons of mold: DIY repair of a poorly sealed window? lots of photos herein

Preface I live in China. Construction is largely handled by unskilled migrants, and one cannot just call up a specialist contractor to fix a major issue. Problem I've got a window that was not properly sealed when the apartment was built, and which…
Drew
  • 864
  • 4
  • 12
  • 18
16
votes
7 answers

How can I stop birds from hitting my sunroom windows?

Over the last three days, I have probably had over a dozen birds try to fly through my sunroom, only to be stopped by the 72"X52" sliding windows; three of the birds have died. What can I do so that the birds realize there is a window there,…
Dan McClain
  • 261
  • 1
  • 3
  • 5
16
votes
5 answers

Why tape black garbage bags to outside windows, not between inside windows and blinds?

I went store to buy double layer of heavy duty black garbage bags to black out a bright bedroom at night, and spoke with salesperson and his supervisor. They both recommended go outside to balcony and tape these bags on outside window. Don't stay…
user54670
15
votes
4 answers

What are the pros and cons of different types of windows?

I live in the North Eastern corner of US, and my house has 50 year old single-pane wooden windows. They held up not too bad, considering, but now I want to replace them all. Things that are important to me are: Decent energy efficiency (this,…
user76
  • 361
  • 2
  • 5
13
votes
4 answers

What are the pros and cons of UV window film?

I have just finished renovating my house and am now considering adding UV film to some of my windows (those that catch the most sun). On paper, they sound like a great solution as they reduce the heat entering the house and furniture fading but I…
dave
  • 767
  • 5
  • 11
  • 17
13
votes
1 answer

How do I unscrew these?

I'm a college kid trying to sneak my boyfriend in my dorm window. The first section is the holder on the window, the second part is the end of the slider on the window. All I have to do is disconnect the slider. This looks definitely like a…
Rose
  • 139
  • 1
  • 3
13
votes
8 answers

Are curtains effective for keeping the room warm?

I live in a rented apartment and I am trying to find solutions to keep the heat in. The apartment has several big windows (the 'living room' has one wall that is 80% windows) and I have to run the heat a lot to keep it warm inside. Do curtains…
Kate Plany
  • 131
  • 1
  • 1
  • 3
12
votes
8 answers

What can I do to cool down the room?

The room is at south-west on the second floor, so a lot of sun exposure. The temperature got unbearable up to 36.5°C (97.7°F) yesterday. The outside was 37.5°C (99.5°F). I live in a hot and humid country. There are 3 windows in the room. I've…
user165673
  • 121
  • 1
  • 4
12
votes
16 answers

Is there a significant benefit to using plastic window insulation year round?

In order to help save more money and funnel more of those savings to debts, I'm looking for more ways to save money. I've heard that puting plastic window insulation over single-pane windows typically found in older houses can reduce utility bills…
jmort253
  • 239
  • 1
  • 3
  • 8
10
votes
6 answers

Can I lean a ladder against tempered glass without damaging the window?

We are building, and just now after the windows have been installed is that I realised they are really high up. The window is made of tempered glass 8mm thick, 3.5 m wide, 2.5 m high and starts at 3.5 meters above the ground, so it is 6 m at its…
Luiz Borges
  • 2,315
  • 15
  • 68
  • 80
10
votes
3 answers

Window framing on old construction

I'm redoing a kitchen but I've hired a contractor to do a portion of the work. One of the jobs he was hired to do was to move and reframe two windows. He finished that job today and I'm really concerned that it wasn't done correctly. I called him…
BZink
  • 215
  • 1
  • 3
  • 8
10
votes
5 answers

How does rain water get into my window well

My window well has been filling with water - the base takes about 15 mins to fill before I have to empty with the manual pump - not very efficient especially at 3am. I’m in CO and we have had days of nonstop rain. The top of the well slopes out and…
Andrew Findlay
  • 869
  • 10
  • 19
  • 27
1
2 3
…
84 85