View ChannelsFeatured: Finance
View ShowroomsFeatured: Radiantec - Radiant Solar Heating

BobVila.com

Home

Combining Two Double Hung Windows

Bob explains the homeowners wish to have windows centered in the wall so that bookcases can be added. Since the home�s windows were replaced just three years ago the crew is recycling the windows in the new project. Ryley and Bob demo the old frame and install supports for the combined window. Ryley shows how the dining room window in the den can make one great double-hung window. When the two windows are put together it�s called a mullioned window.

Get Adobe Flash Player to see this content.

Chapters from this episode

Touring Art Deco Architecture in Miami Beach Now Playing

Touring Art Deco Architecture in Miami Beach

Sweating a Joint in Copper Plumbing Now Playing

Sweating a Joint in Copper Plumbing

Combining Two Double Hung Windows Now Playing

Combining Two Double Hung Windows

Clip Transcript For:

Combining Two Double Hung Windows

computer-generated transcript - may not be 100% accurate

" Well, this is always a tedious work. What's happening here is that the windows in the house had been replaced just 3 years ago, so they're relatively brand new. They're being recycled, and in this case, what was the dining room, which will be a den, is gonna get doubled up. We're taking this window out and then putting 2 side by side, right?"

" That's right. We're gonna make a mullion window out of it."

" Yeah."

" And what we'll do is put a stud pocket in the middle of it."

" Okay."

" And I've had a couple of conversations with the people who---- The [unk] have these windows centered on the windows, Bob."

" Yeah."

" The owner wants to be sure that it is---- it's centered in the room so that he can get both cases----"

" Yes."

" to 1 side."

" And the main concern here in terms of design is you kind of design things like this from the inside out so that it really works as a room."

" That's right, but I what I wanna do is to do this with as easy an installation as we possibly can because it's gonna get messy inside there,----"

" Yeah."

" and I don't wanna have to rip this whole wall apart over a couple of inches just because of getting it centered."

" So, it's ready to come out?"

" This is ready to come out."

" No it's not gonna go. I've got one more nail up here."

" Alright."

" There you go."

" Alright. Alright."

" Let's take a look at the frame from the inside, okay?"

" Okay."

" What's this frame look like?"

" This frame---- Well, this frame is not gonna be supporting what we're putting on here in short."

" Yes. It's unusual to find a header space over a window that's been framed with 2 x 4s on the sides like that."

" That's not the way you do it?"

" No. You want at least 2 x 6s in there, but anyway, you'll be removing all of that, and how much more the wall has to come out?"

" Well, we don't wanna take---- We're gonna take as little as possible, so we've already determined that from this stud here to this stud here will give us a room to fit the 2 windows."

" Really? It doesn't look big enough."

" It gives us about an inch and half spare."

" You always want a rough opening that's at least an inch and a half bigger than the size of the window."

" Right, right."

" And when we put these 2 together, which you call a----"

" It's a mullion window."

" mullioned window."

" Well, what's the first step?"

" Well, before we're doing any over here, we wanna support what we have already."

" 'Cause that's what it's gonna be."

" Well, yeah. We look up there. We now have a second floor on this house. And we can see that the load of that second floor is being carried by this outside wall."

" Right."

" So, how are you gonna support it?"

" We're gonna transfer it on a stay frame over here."

" That's the way to do it. You've already temporarily with two 2 x 4s up there and one on the floor and then you're A-frame that you just tighten up. Alright. So what are we gonna take down first?"

" Well, we're gonna style with the jack studs, Bob."

" Okay."

" Alright. Now, the new header is two 2 by 6s that have had a half inch piece of plywood put in between them, which strengthens the whole thing as well as giving it the right thickness."

" Yeah, and we could throw the jack studs right underneath that."

" Alright. So we've got new cripples. These short studs are called cripples----"

" Yeah."

" and this is a stool."

" And now we're----"

" Right."

" ready for the mullion, which is a----"

" Right."

" couple of studs that are nailed together and then we've added some 3 quarters stock to pour it out."

" Right. That's it."

" Alright. By the way, you get that in place so I get the reciprocating saw. Put my goggles on and then I'll start cutting out the excess sheathing."

" Alright. Can I give you a hand with this?"

" Yes, please."

" Yeah."

" You had tucked it in place, huh?"

" Just tucked the corners."

" Okay. Let's get this---- this other one up there."

" Oh boy."

" Okay, [unk]. Now, stand back and look at that effect. You got the window, Riley?"

" Yeah, I got it."

" You got it."

" Alright. Well, let's see what that looks like. Not bad. Very nice."

" That was good."

" Yeah."

" That looks fine."

[-]

More Videos »Related Videos

How to Install a Storm Window

Installing storm windows in a double-track combination window will require a little more work than a triple-track window.

Insulated Windows with Between-the-Glass Blinds

Bob is joined by Cordell Burton of Pella Windows, who shows him the enclosed, snap-in between-the-glass blinds that are being installed in the nursery. The interchangeable blinds snap-in easily between the two panes of glass. They have no cords, can be raised and lowered with a sliding button on the sash, and are free from dust and allergens. These windows are highly insulated for cold and sound as they have a fully insulated pane on the exterior and another pane on the interior. Burton shows Bob how any homeowner can install the windows, first by removing the old sash and stops, then sealing the window with Pella's self-sealing butyl tape. To prevent further heat loss, the sash-cord pocket is filled with expanding foam. We watch as the window is set in place, checked for level and plumb, shimmed, and nailed in for an easy do-it-yourself installation.

Window Interest

You can add value and beauty to your home by adding a special feature window. A box bay window adds light and useful space for kitchen plants. Accent windows are available in all shapes and sizes for a unique touch. You can have windows custom designed to add drama. Or you can assemble stock windows to create a window wall.

Restoring Old Windows

Ryan Pirro from RestorationWindows.com joins Bob to explain how and why the old windows are being refurbished in the Rowley Victorian. Pirro says the number one reason for refurbishing is cost effectiveness. It costs much less to refurbish than to buy new, which would be three to four times the cost of restoration. Another reason to restore is how easily the windows operate once they are restored. Refurbished windows are also highly energy efficient, often more efficient than new windows. The completed window he show Bob was removed and repainted while the mechanicals were repaired. The old sash ropes in these double-hung windows were replaced with bronze chain that will last indefinitely. Double hungs are defined by two sashes � top and bottom � and sash weights in pockets on the side for operation. Sash-weight pockets are uninsulated and can result in heat loss, which is why some homeowners abandon sash operation. On these windows, they have replaced the parting bead on each side with Spanish cedar, which is highly rot resistant. They have also installed spring-bronze weather stripping in the track for smooth operation and a tight fit to block incoming drafts. The spring-bronze weather stripping is installed by hand to fit the window precisely. The bronze chain is attached to a spiral in the top of the window frame then drilled into a channel and guide hole in the window itself. Maintenance on refurbished windows includes applying furniture oil or preserver to the window channels for optimal operation and healthy wood. The weight boards are attached separately as access doors to the window weights should the sash cords or chains ever break. Average mechanical restoration of old windows is about $220 per window.