Hello to all house building experts and renovation enthusiasts,
as is often the case when joining a forum, one is interested in the topic and usually has questions.
A brief introduction about myself and the property! My name is – as you can guess – Wolfgang, I am 52 years old and have worked in the automotive trade for over 30 years, so I would say I am fairly handy. Our house is my wife’s parents’ home, built in 1962/63 (so the house 😉), extended with an annex in 2001, and since then registered as a two-family house. It is located near Frankfurt am Main. Following the passing of my parents-in-law, we now want to renovate and remodel the ground floor apartment for ourselves. Since our budget is limited in view of what lies ahead, much work will need to be done by ourselves or with support to the professionals.
Regarding the topic, the former dining room is to become our kitchen. Unfortunately, things were built rather haphazardly in the past, and my father-in-law was an expert in the art of “works but looks awful,” so I would like to change some aspects. For my plan, the window is firstly too low, and secondly, the carport roof intrudes on one side of the window.
I would adjust the window height using the roller shutter box, removing the interior roller shutter and installing an exterior one instead. My bigger questions relate to reducing the window reveal from about 2.10 meters (7 feet) to 1.60 meters (5 feet 3 inches). What type of bricks or blocks are best to use? How do I create a stable and secure connection to the wall? In such small works, can I use adhesive to bond the bricks, or must I mortar them in every case?
Since I want a smooth masonry finish (flush plaster) after adjusting the reveal, I plan to install the window with continuous sealing tape (external sealing tape, internal insulation tape). Should I also use compressible foam tape? Are there recommendations for window tape brands, or do products from Amazon work just as well? What do I use to bond the window tape to the masonry? How do I calculate the required screw length for securely fastening the window?
Lots of text, lots of questions! I’m grateful for any tips and advice.
Best regards
as is often the case when joining a forum, one is interested in the topic and usually has questions.
A brief introduction about myself and the property! My name is – as you can guess – Wolfgang, I am 52 years old and have worked in the automotive trade for over 30 years, so I would say I am fairly handy. Our house is my wife’s parents’ home, built in 1962/63 (so the house 😉), extended with an annex in 2001, and since then registered as a two-family house. It is located near Frankfurt am Main. Following the passing of my parents-in-law, we now want to renovate and remodel the ground floor apartment for ourselves. Since our budget is limited in view of what lies ahead, much work will need to be done by ourselves or with support to the professionals.
Regarding the topic, the former dining room is to become our kitchen. Unfortunately, things were built rather haphazardly in the past, and my father-in-law was an expert in the art of “works but looks awful,” so I would like to change some aspects. For my plan, the window is firstly too low, and secondly, the carport roof intrudes on one side of the window.
I would adjust the window height using the roller shutter box, removing the interior roller shutter and installing an exterior one instead. My bigger questions relate to reducing the window reveal from about 2.10 meters (7 feet) to 1.60 meters (5 feet 3 inches). What type of bricks or blocks are best to use? How do I create a stable and secure connection to the wall? In such small works, can I use adhesive to bond the bricks, or must I mortar them in every case?
Since I want a smooth masonry finish (flush plaster) after adjusting the reveal, I plan to install the window with continuous sealing tape (external sealing tape, internal insulation tape). Should I also use compressible foam tape? Are there recommendations for window tape brands, or do products from Amazon work just as well? What do I use to bond the window tape to the masonry? How do I calculate the required screw length for securely fastening the window?
Lots of text, lots of questions! I’m grateful for any tips and advice.
Best regards
W
Wolfgang H.5 Nov 2024 18:20I can install the vapor barrier myself, but in this case, it would be a botched job. The old window needs to be removed because my father-in-law already modified it, and one sash no longer holds properly. The new window is already here.
I’m not reducing any natural light; the window will be about 40-50cm (16-20 inches) narrower, but an 80cm (32 inches) glass door will be installed elsewhere instead.
So the question remains: how do I do this correctly?
I’m not reducing any natural light; the window will be about 40-50cm (16-20 inches) narrower, but an 80cm (32 inches) glass door will be installed elsewhere instead.
So the question remains: how do I do this correctly?
Wolfgang H. schrieb:
I can glue the membrane myself, but in this case, it’s a botched job. Well, it was meant as an idea to cover up whatever was built in a makeshift way without incurring high costs, especially since you mentioned a tight budget. The fact that a window was already installed was not mentioned.
I would recommend having the window installed by a professional; they will also tell you which preparatory work they would prefer to make the installation easier.
Every other word in your text is "botched," so for this manageable issue, I would leave it to a professional. On construction sites, there are always plenty of trades where you can save a lot of money through hard work and effort without risking a self-inflicted construction defect.
B
Buchsbaum0666 Nov 2024 07:55Do you want to make both sides narrower, or just one side?
You could use aerated concrete blocks. You would need to cut out the existing wall to fit the new blocks in there.
Alternatively, you can brick it with facing bricks. This might be easier since the existing wall is already built that way.
In any case, you need to create a proper connection to the old masonry. Simply building onto it won’t work.
Window tape and compression tape are self-adhesive; the screw length depends on the window and the wall.
You can also bond the tapes with Sikaflex. That will ensure a strong hold.
You could use aerated concrete blocks. You would need to cut out the existing wall to fit the new blocks in there.
Alternatively, you can brick it with facing bricks. This might be easier since the existing wall is already built that way.
In any case, you need to create a proper connection to the old masonry. Simply building onto it won’t work.
Window tape and compression tape are self-adhesive; the screw length depends on the window and the wall.
You can also bond the tapes with Sikaflex. That will ensure a strong hold.
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