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jerrymagician
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RE: What I learned the hard way about swapping out old windows
Yeah, shims are a double-edged sword. I’ve had them save the day on one window and then make the next one look even more crooked. Honestly, you nailed it with “old houses keep you guessing.” There’s no one-size-fits-all ...
RE: Saw a study on window longevity - are we doing enough?
Couldn’t agree more. I did a “no-maintenance” siding too, and now I’m out there with a hose and soft brush twice a year. Still, not having to repaint every couple years is a win in my book. Nothing’s truly hands-off, but...
RE: What would you do if your double-pane windows started fogging up?
I get the temptation to just swap the IGU and call it a day, especially if the sash looks decent and you’re trying to save a few bucks. But honestly, after wrestling with a couple of old wood frames that were more rot th...
RE: Quick tricks for holding a cracked window together?
Honestly, I’m not totally sold on using painter’s tape for this kind of thing. I get the appeal - it keeps things tidy and cleanup is easier - but in my experience, tape can actually make it harder to get a good seal if ...
RE: Why sealing windows near the ocean is trickier than you’d think
You’re spot on about butyl being a dirt magnet - drives me nuts. I tried covering seams with painter’s tape while it cured, but the minute I peeled it off, the sticky bits just started collecting grit again. For caulk, I...
RE: Saw a story about DIY storm window fails - worth the risk or nah?
I get the hesitation, but I’ve actually tackled upper windows myself - two-story colonial, 1950s, old wood sashes. Rented scaffolding for a weekend, and yeah, it was a pain, but I saved about $400 compared to pro quotes....
RE: Struggling to pick windows that don’t make my ranch look dated
That’s exactly how I feel about the black frames trend. They look slick in a magazine but on a midcentury ranch? I dunno, feels like the house is trying too hard. I swapped out my old sliders for new double-hungs last ye...
RE: WHAT DID YOU WISH YOU KNEW BEFORE REPLACING YOUR OWN WINDOWS?
Marketing loves that “maintenance free” line, but yeah, it’s never true. I ran into the same issue with caulk - if you don’t get those corners filled tight, you’ll feel every draft come January. Also, whoever said vinyl ...
RE: What if you had to pick curtains for every room but could only use one fabric?
I get where you’re coming from with sunlight, but honestly, I’ve had more headaches with wrinkles and snags than fading. Maybe it’s just the way my house is laid out, but the south-facing rooms get a ton of sun and my li...
RE: Windows That Can Handle Ocean Air - Any Recommendations?
I get the appeal of fiberglass - less rust drama, for sure - but honestly, I’ve had mixed results with vinyl handles over time. They look fine at first, but after a few years in direct sun, mine warped and got kinda brit...