New bathroom window...no glass block!
Originally, the first floor bath came equipped with a window pretty common in updated bungalows 'round here. Except with the special added feature of having been boarded up on the inside.
Glass block had replaced an original double-hung window years ago.
We're not sure HOW long ago...a good bet would be the 1940's.
Over time, the glass block had shifted in the window frame, had cracked and splintered. There was a "Florida Vent" built into the window to passively let out humidity. But it also let the cold air in during the winter time.
We wanted to go back to something better. Something that could be painted to match the other windows outside. Something in keeping with the character of the house, which would keep cold air out. (Our new bathroom fan is working like a charm to pull humidity out.) Something safer than glass block.
So we turned to John from Just Sashes for a creative solution. And he delivered!
He and John Jr. knocked out the glass block--a little dangerous since it was so splintered and cracked. (It wasn't going to last much longer, it was really falling out of the window.)
They created a non-opening casement window of insulated, opaque glass. The glass is in two pieces, with a bar across the middle to reinforce it for safety.
We'll treat this as any other window on the outside and use the same kind of marine paint and lacquer used on wooden boats for the inside. (Keith--A's grandpa--has been working on wooden boats for years and has a lot of experience. So we've seen this used this before.)
The bathroom tile will extend all of the way to the window and the sill will be a marble slab. A curtain that can be drawn over the window inside of the shower will directly protect it as well.
We're all pretty pleased with it! Especially the crew of Just Sashes, who did some elegant work fitting it into the old frame...which was ever-so-slightly tilted (90 year old frame house...bound to be a shade of settling here and there).
Once in, their work makes it look nice and straight...even though the frame is not (quite).
We are really looking forward to having ONE room done finally...and a bathroom at that! Whoopee! It's getting closer!
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Comments
I can't remember. Is this one of those situations where the window is in the shower stall?
Posted by: kitschywoman | January 15, 2004 10:14 AM
Very nice. Enjoy your new window!
BTW, what's a "Florida vent?"
Posted by: Sandra | January 15, 2004 10:39 AM
A Florida Vent is one of those louvered windows consisting of a number of thin, horizontal pieces that pivot away from the frame by way of a hand crank.
If you enlarge the first photo of the post, you can see it better. It's just over the man with the hammer's right shoulder.
Man, those things are ugly. So glad it's gone! That new one looks great.
Posted by: donna | January 15, 2004 3:42 PM
We have a 1920s bungalow in Evanston with an old (possibly original) double hung window in the shower/tub area. The previous owners had done a very poor job protecting it from water and humidity, so it is not very attractive. We're about to take the plunge into bathroom (and kitchen) design and decoration. May I ask how much your new window is going to cost, including the marble sill? It looks like a fantastic solution. If you prefer to respond by email, just remove "nospam" from the address. Thanks, and good luck!
Posted by: Jeff Sterbenc | January 18, 2004 1:14 PM