Haha, totally relate to the glass bits popping up weeks later...it's like they multiply when you're not looking. Canvas drop cloths are definitely the way to go—way less slippery and easier to manage than those plastic tarps. Learned that lesson after almost sliding across the room mid-install. Gloves are a must, but eye protection is another one I forget sometimes. Tiny shards fly everywhere, and even cheap safety glasses can save you from an annoying ER visit.
Yeah, canvas drop cloths are decent, but honestly, I still managed to slip on one when installing my kitchen window. Maybe I'm just clumsy, but I swear those tiny glass shards have a personal vendetta against me. Thought I cleaned everything up perfectly, then two weeks later I'm stepping barefoot on a microscopic shard at midnight...lesson learned the hard way. Safety glasses are smart, though—I underestimated how far those little bits can fly until I found one halfway across the room.
"Thought I cleaned everything up perfectly, then two weeks later I'm stepping barefoot on a microscopic shard at midnight...lesson learned the hard way."
Been there, done that. Glass shards seem to have a special talent for hiding until the worst possible moment. When I replaced my old single-pane windows with energy-efficient double-pane ones last summer, I thought I'd taken every precaution possible. Canvas drop cloths, safety glasses, gloves—you name it. But even then, I underestimated how sneaky those tiny glass bits could be.
One thing I learned from experience: canvas drop cloths are good for catching larger debris, but they're not great at containing smaller shards. A trick that helped me was layering plastic sheeting underneath the canvas. The plastic catches those tiny fragments better and makes cleanup easier—just fold it up carefully and toss it out afterward.
Also, vacuuming thoroughly after installation is crucial. Sweeping alone won't cut it because those microscopic glass splinters embed themselves into flooring cracks and carpet fibers. After my first mishap (yeah, stepped on a shard too), I started using a shop vac with a fine dust filter attachment to go over the entire area multiple times. It might seem excessive, but trust me, your feet will thank you later.
Another tip: don't underestimate the importance of footwear during cleanup. Even if you think you've gotten everything, wear shoes or slippers around the work area for at least a week afterward. Those tiny shards have an uncanny ability to resurface days later.
On a slightly different note—since we're talking window installations—did you notice any difference in your home's energy efficiency afterward? When I upgraded mine, I tracked my utility bills closely and saw a noticeable improvement in heating and cooling costs. Plus, fewer drafts made the house feel more comfortable overall.
Anyway, glad you're okay aside from the midnight glass shard surprise. Window replacements can be tricky, but taking extra precautions definitely pays off in comfort and safety down the line.
You're right about plastic sheeting helping catch tiny glass bits, but honestly, I found plastic to be a bit slippery and tricky to manage, especially if you're moving around a lot. Instead, I used an old bedsheet under the canvas drop cloth—it grips the floor better and still catches those sneaky shards pretty well. Afterward, I just carefully folded it inward and shook it out into the trash outside.
And while vacuuming definitely helps, I found running a damp mop or even a wet cloth over hard surfaces afterward picked up those super tiny shards the vacuum missed. It's amazing (and a little scary) how much extra glass dust you'll find that way.
As for energy savings...I dunno. My bills did improve slightly, but not as dramatically as I expected. Maybe my old windows weren't as bad to start with, or maybe it's just my house's insulation needs work too. Either way, the comfort factor alone made it worth it for me, even if the savings weren't huge.
"As for energy savings...I dunno. My bills did improve slightly, but not as dramatically as I expected."
Yeah, I've noticed this too. A lot of folks expect miracles from new windows, but honestly, windows alone rarely make a huge dent in energy costs. They're just one piece of the puzzle. If your attic insulation is thin or your doors aren't sealed properly, new windows won't magically fix the drafts.
Also, about the bedsheet trick—it's clever, but personally, I prefer using painter's canvas drop cloths directly. They're thick enough to catch even the smallest shards, and they're not slippery like plastic. Plus, they're reusable and fold up nicely. Just fold inward, give it a gentle shake outside, and you're good to go. And you're spot-on about the damp mop afterward; glass dust is sneaky stuff.
Funny story, I once had a client who swore by using duct tape wrapped sticky-side-out around a broom head to pick up glass bits. Looked goofy as heck, but hey, it worked surprisingly well...
You're right that windows alone won't solve all your energy woes, but I've actually seen some pretty noticeable improvements—especially in older houses with single-pane windows. Had a client last winter who swapped out original 1960s windows for modern double-pane ones, and she noticed a good drop in her heating bill almost immediately. She joked she could finally stop wearing three sweaters indoors...
But yeah, insulation and sealing gaps definitely matter big-time too. It's kind of like putting on a nice warm jacket but leaving the zipper open—you're still gonna feel cold air sneaking in somewhere.
Also, on the cleanup methods...canvas drop cloths are great, but I still swear by those cheap moving blankets you can grab at hardware stores. They're thick enough to catch glass shards, plus they grip the floor nicely so you don't slip around. Bonus points: you can toss them in the washer afterward.
And duct tape broom guy? Gotta admit that's genius-level MacGyvering right there...might just have to try that myself next time.
Good points about the blankets, but honestly, I find those moving blankets a bit bulky and awkward to handle, especially in tighter spaces. I've had better luck with heavy-duty plastic sheeting—it's easier to maneuver and still catches debris pretty well. Also, while double-pane windows do help, I've seen some folks disappointed because they didn't address attic insulation first. Just something to keep in mind before expecting huge savings right away...
"I've had better luck with heavy-duty plastic sheeting—it's easier to maneuver and still catches debris pretty well."
Totally agree on the plastic sheeting, saved me a headache last summer when we replaced our kitchen windows. Blankets were just too clumsy in that tight space. Also, good call on attic insulation—learned that one the hard way myself... windows alone didn't quite cut it for energy savings.
Plastic sheeting definitely beats blankets, especially in cramped spaces. I was skeptical at first—thought it might tear or slip—but after trying both, plastic won me over.
"windows alone didn't quite cut it for energy savings."
Exactly. People often think new windows are a magic bullet for efficiency, but insulation and sealing air leaks usually make a bigger difference. Learned that lesson myself after replacing all my windows and barely seeing a dent in the heating bill...
Yeah, windows alone rarely do the trick. I found that out the hard way too—spent a weekend installing brand-new double panes, expecting miracles, and saw maybe a 5% drop in heating costs. After some digging around, I realized my attic insulation was practically nonexistent. Once I beefed that up and sealed around doors and outlets, that's when the real savings kicked in. Curious if anyone's tried spray foam insulation—worth the extra cost over fiberglass batts?