Hi Everyone,
Long time reader, first time asking a question.
I have a 19 x 11 family room addition to the back of my house. It is standard 2×6 stick-framing. The far 11 foot wall has a window near the outside corner that offers no view and restricts the design potential of the room with regards to shelving and/or the entertainment unit for the future plasma unit. I would like to remove the window and fill it in. Now, to remove the window completely, re-frame and insulate, vapor barrier the inside and re-side the outside is one possibility. The other option is to remove the interior moldings, leave the window and it’s frame in place, line the window with black felt and batt insulation, and drywall over the opening. I’m consider the second option as I don’t have any of the original siding material to weave into the exterior, and it would be much faster to finish.
Any thoughts on complications from water or condensation point of view? The window faces towards the side neighbour and there is a six foot high fence four feet from the window, so they won’t mind.
Any help would be appreciated.
Howard (Ottawa, Canada)
Replies
Howard,
Why not just hang a full length insulated drapery over that window? Match colors to wall or whatever makes it disappear. You could probably also install a 2" piece of foil faced foam insulation in the window and gain nearly the R value as otherwise.
Dear HVC,
Your idea has merit, but if I want to put a built-in shelving unit across the majority of that wall, the drapery will not work. I'm not so much concerned about the r-value I get from insulation, as I'm worried about condensation on the inside of the window that would now be covered by drywall. I really looking to avoid re-seathing and re-siding that small section of the outside and wondering if there are any "un-knowns" I should know about concerning drywalling over a window.
Thanks for responding!
Howster1