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swright56
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RE: Exterior grilles vs. interior-applied and between-glass grilles
Reflections depend on the glazing and viewing angle as well as grille placement. If you can, compare samples from outside at different angles in bright and overcast light. For a traditional exterior, I’d favor whichever ...
RE: Worth the upgrade? My take on switching to triple pane windows
That’s pretty much what happened here, too. After we put in triple panes, I figured the old drafty window issues would be gone and that’d be it. Instead, the bathroom window started fogging up like crazy after every show...
RE: Printing custom window latches: what worked for me
Can’t say I’ve had PETG get brittle in the cold - mine’s held up through some nasty Minnesota winters, but I always print at a higher temp and let ‘em anneal a bit. Might be worth a try before switching materials. As for...
RE: What I learned the hard way about swapping out old windows
I know what you mean about the consolidant and epoxy trick. I’ve done it myself on a couple of old sills where the rot was just surface level, and honestly, it’s held up better than I expected - especially considering ho...
RE: Quick tricks for holding a cracked window together?
Yeah, tape seems to be the unsung hero in these situations. I’ve used everything from painter’s tape to duct tape when I was in a pinch, but clear packing tape looks the least awful from the street. The cling film thing ...
RE: Swapping out window hinges: do you go solo or call in the pros?
Been there myself. Thought I’d save a few bucks swapping hinges on our old casement windows, but lining everything up was a headache. Ended up with a draft I couldn’t fix without starting over. Sometimes paying a pro rea...
RE: CAN YOU REALLY DOUBLE DIP ON REBATES AND TAX CREDITS?
That’s the part that tripped me up when I did my heat pump last fall. I thought I’d get a bigger tax credit, but once the state rebate came through, my “out of pocket” was way less than expected. Anyone know if this appl...
RE: Keeping Windows in Good Shape - What Actually Works Long-Term?
I've found latex primer just doesn't cut it here in the Midwest - hot summers, freezing winters, and all that humidity. I tried it on some old sashes a few years back and even with good paint over top, I started seeing p...
RE: Smart sensors for windows: did you know they can help with energy bills?
That lines up with my experience. I tried the temp sensors too, mostly out of curiosity, and they actually pointed out a draft I’d missed behind a bookshelf. Still, I always double-check with the old “hand test” just in ...
RE: Why does lining up aluminum window frames feel impossible sometimes?
Totally agree - chasing “perfectly level” in an old house can drive you up the wall. I tried laser levels in my 1915 bungalow and ended up with frames that looked off against the original trim anyway. Sometimes you just ...