my latest project

[irmanator]

i am trying to rebuild the frames /sills what ever you call the part that actually holds the window on my old style house. Not all for now, just the front porch. It is like an enclosed porch the kind where in the spring you would take out the whole window and put in a screen and the windows would go in storage untill fall. I am new to wood working and only took one off to study its construction. the wood is rotten and needs to be replaced. I was trying to find instructions and or patterns on the net with no luck. Any advice?

[JanH]

Perhaps the library would have a good section on woodworking projects or household repair projects. Worth a look I think. Happy building!

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

Can you not follow the pattern of the windows you are removing?

Don't look for project instructions in books or websites on woodworking. This is usually considered carpentry.

Home Depot sells some basic inexpensive books on home improvement and home repairs. They are their own publications. They give basic instructions and good illustrations, but you still have to use your own brain to do the measuring and to make everything fit your special circumstances. I know these books do have sections on building, windows, enlarging windows, repairing windows, etc. The name of two of their books with window instructions are Home Improvements 1-2-3, and Projects for the Exterior 1-2-3.

Also Readers Digest has a book that has really good illustrations and instructions on this. The book I have from them is called New Complete Do-It-Yourself Manual. Mine is 1991, so there may be a newer edition by now.

A nice thing about all these books is that they show you what tools you need. Only, I don't think I saw a level being used in any of them, and I would recommend a level. Otherwise you could build a square cornered window that actually is in your wall crooked!

You should be able to find books like this used on the internet, if you like.

Also look at books for sheds, garages, porches, sunrooms etc. There should be window building instructions.

If you are purchasing pre-made storm windows, your dealer may be able to give you info on building the openings for the windows you want.

Don't forget that you may live in a place where a building permit is required. If so and your permitting agency is helpful, the engineers will take a thorough look at your plans and tell you if they are okay. But only if you turn in detailed plans can they tell you if details are problematic. Some places may look the other way when you turn in general plans rather than detailed plans.