Windows
Dirty Little Secrets at 173
Every old house has a few embarrassing corners. These drafty louvered kitchen windows were one of ours.
Doesn't this look like a beautiful ocean storm scene? The clouds, the white-capped waves - stunning!
The Window We Tried Not to Photograph
Ah, but don't be deceived. This is actually a cropped photo of a dirty little secret here at 173...
Why the Old Louvered Windows Had to Go
That's right - the kitchen windows here at 173 have been a dirty little secret for years! The louvred windows were probably pretty cool way back when, but the fact is, this particular set hasn't been opened since probably around 1998. Yup, 1998. The problem was the lever that opened them had broken long before we bought the house, and in the beginning we could push them open and pull them closed. But it came to the point that they couldn't be closed tight enough to keep the air out in the winter, so they were pulled as tight as possible and weather stripping, lots of weather stripping was used to try to keep as much arctic air out as possible. However, that was pretty much in vain, to the point that when dinner was on the table in the winter, whatever was closest to the window got cold mighty fast! Hand to God - true! And for years I would take pictures strategically in an attempt to hide this embarrassment!
That's one of the funny things about old-house blogging: readers see the projects you choose to show, but they don't always see the problems carefully cropped out of the frame. Every old house has a few corners like that—projects that sit quietly in the background for years because they feel too complicated, too expensive, or just too annoying to tackle. These kitchen windows were definitely one of those projects.
That was probably '98 or '99, always long shots, windows covered as much as possible, etc. Oh, and there's a set over the kitchen sink too!
The problem was I could figure out how to remove those old windows without destroying stuff, Every so often I would study it out and think - in a couple more years I will have gained more knowledge and skill and then I'll do those windows. Ha! I had a serious case of avoidance!
A Long-Delayed Project Finally Begins
But then last fall I ran into a neighbor who said he could help. Of course there were hangups, He had to have surgery, so we missed the fall window, and I wasn't going to take windows out in the winter! Then there was a delay at the factory in having the windows fabricated. I was worried it wasn't going to happen. Then it did...
Installing the New Kitchen Windows
The old windows came out pretty quick, and the new ones went in even quicker!!
WIth the back window I pulled out the trim and the sill...
Making a New Windowsill
So I made a new sill, here's the specs for future reference (who knows when I might need to do another one!)...
Here's where we are now. I have another project in store, so hopefully in a few week this will look altogether different! And no, the window isn't crooked, the photographer is!
The side window didn't need as much though...
And installed - just a little more trim work to do...
Here's a couple interior shots...over the sink:
And the breakfast nook:
And this is the last shot, the breakfast nook again.
I don't have another of the window over the sink, but I'm sure it'll show up - no more dirty little secrets to hide!!
Hey, thank for stopping by and - see ya' next time!
Every old house has one of these stories. Maybe it's a drafty window, a cracked step, a weird closet, or something you strategically avoid photographing for years. That's why this post worked so well for me.I laughed at the fake “ocean storm” opening, but I also understood the relief behind the project. A kitchen window that makes dinner cold is not a small thing, even if you learn to live with it for twenty years.What I liked most was that you didn't pretend this was simple. Sometimes the real project is just getting past the avoidance. Seeing those new windows finally in place felt like a genuine old-house victory. - The Neighbor
Frequently Asked Questions
Why replace old louvered kitchen windows?
Louvered windows can become drafty over time, especially when the opening mechanism breaks or the panes no longer close tightly.
Why do old-house projects get delayed?
Old-house projects often require more confidence, skill, money, planning, and sometimes help from the right person. Avoidance is common when a project feels risky.
Should you replace windows yourself or get help?
It depends on the window, the house, and your comfort level. When removal could damage surrounding trim or framing, experienced help can make a big difference.
Why save window measurements and sill details?
Keeping measurements creates a useful record for future repairs and helps document what was changed at the house.
What is the biggest benefit of replacing old kitchen windows?
Beyond better appearance, the biggest benefit is comfort. New windows reduce drafts and make the kitchen more usable year-round.
Keywords
kitchen window replacement, old house windows, louvered windows, drafty windows, replacing kitchen windows, old house repairs, window sill replacement, House 173, home improvement, breakfast nook windows