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what to do with those old windows lying around?

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shadowf34
Posts: 7
(@shadowf34)
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Yeah, tempered glass is definitely the way to go for stuff like tables or shelves—had a similar scare myself once. If you're looking to reuse old windows without worrying about safety, you might try making a cold frame for the garden. Pretty easy build, helps extend your growing season, and it's a nice little boost for energy efficiency too. Plus, no worries about anyone leaning on it at your next gathering...

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summitgonzalez73
Posts: 11
(@summitgonzalez73)
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"you might try making a cold frame for the garden. Pretty easy build, helps extend your growing season"

That's a solid idea—cold frames are great. Another cool project is turning old windows into decorative wall hangings or room dividers. Just make sure they're secured well... learned that the hard way myself once, haha.

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alexmetalworker
Posts: 7
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Cold frames are definitely underrated. I built one a couple seasons ago using some old windows I had stacked in the garage, and it worked surprisingly well. Managed to get spinach and lettuce way earlier than usual, which was awesome.

"Just make sure they're secured well... learned that the hard way myself once, haha."

Haha, yeah, been there. I tried hanging an old window as wall decor in our hallway once—thought I'd anchored it properly until it crashed down at 2am. Nearly gave me a heart attack and left a nice dent in the floorboards (which my partner still teases me about). Lesson learned: double-check your anchors!

Anyway, repurposing old windows is pretty satisfying. Feels good giving something headed for the dump another shot at usefulness. Plus, they add a lot of character to spaces without much effort or cost.

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Posts: 9
(@lindaj12)
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Cold frames are great, but I've also seen folks turn old windows into mini-greenhouses or even coffee tables. Curious if anyone's tried furniture projects—do they hold up well, or mostly just decorative?

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debbiel36
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Tried a few furniture projects myself—mostly coffee tables and cabinet doors. Here's my take:

- Old windows look great, but durability's iffy. Glass panes aren't tempered, so they're prone to cracking or breaking under weight or impact.
- Frames can warp or loosen over time, especially if they're exposed to humidity or temperature swings.
- If you reinforce the frame and maybe swap out glass for tempered or acrylic, you could get decent longevity.
- Bottom line: decorative, yes... practical daily-use furniture, probably not without modifications.

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architecture902
Posts: 23
(@architecture902)
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"Bottom line: decorative, yes... practical daily-use furniture, probably not without modifications."

Fair points, but honestly, I've had an old window coffee table for about three years now—no mods, original glass—and it's held up surprisingly well. Granted, I don't have kids jumping around or anything, but regular use hasn't cracked it yet. Maybe durability depends more on how you prep and seal the frame rather than swapping out the glass? Just my two cents...

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