Wednesday, September 04, 2019

Casa Kittling: A Clear Transformation


As of tomorrow, Casa Kittling will have had its new windows for exactly one month. You don't really notice other people's windows until you've gone through something like this, but now I find myself traveling the streets of the Phoenix metropolitan area looking closely at houses and windows. In my neighborhood, which was built in 1952, houses seem to be evenly divided. One-third still have their original divided-lights casement windows. One-third have new windows with the original divided lights look, and the last third went with the look that we chose-- sliders.

The crank handles on those old casement windows were a pain in the neck, always breaking or having their own little quirks that needed to be memorized so we could get the windows open or closed. Since we have an evaporative cooler, our new windows have a security feature on them. With evap coolers, a few windows need to be partially open for airflow. These new sliders have a built-in "stop" which means that the window can be open a couple of inches but will not open any further.

Denis and I have been enjoying a few New Window Facts. One, the house is much cooler. Two, the air conditioner doesn't have to work nearly as hard. Three, we're using less electricity. Four, we very seldom ever hear outside noise, which is nice, since the neighbors next-door have a nervous dog who yaps up a storm when I turn on the bathroom light at night.

But enough talk! I'm going to show you the transformation of one window in Casa Kittling-- the biggest one in the living room which measures approximately five feet tall and eight feet wide.


The original 1952 window before the installation began.


From the outside in. Those sheer curtains were thrown away. I'm sorry you can't read the book spines!


What it looked like from the inside. The trim around the window still had to be removed.


Trim removed (along with some plaster) and new window in place.


New window installed. Plaster repaired. New trim in place. (And a glimpse of the installer who is a perfectionist.)


The new window (and new sheer curtains) from one angle.


From the other side.


Pretty spiffy, huh? I'm not going to miss those crank handles one little bit! I also don't miss the divided lights look. The only time I've ever liked that style of window was when I visited Little Moreton Hall in England.

I hope you like the new look, too. Now... pardon me while I go open a window just for fun. (Told you I don't miss those crank handles!)



8 comments:

  1. Oh, that window looks great, Cathy! So glad you're getting all of this done. And I'll bet it's great to say goodbye to the crank handles!

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    1. I'm sorry to say that our good-byes to those crank handles were rather...rude. ;-)

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  2. Love it! I think that one of the great things about 'new' these days is the energy efficiency that is built in. It's that way here if you get a new A/C system. Often the savings are quite a lot and there is also usually some rebate thing from the electric company. Enjoy your new windows!

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    1. We are. Can't hear the garbage trucks at 6 AM. Can't hear the kid bashing his drums every evening. Bliss!

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  3. The house I moved to a few months ago had old windows that they put in when they built the house. We too could hear noices from outside. We replaced all the windows in the house and it cost almost $5000, but it was SO worth it. And yes, it is cooler, our new windows are all double paned.

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    1. Wow... our windows cost over four times what yours did, Vicki!

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  4. The windows look very nice. The cost is mind-boggling.

    Hope you enjoy the cool air and the lovely views the greenery.

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    1. We are certainly enjoying these windows, Kathy. They are wonderful-- thank heaven, considering the price!

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