how are double hung windows built?I want to build my own?

Answer 1

WOW -- you are brave, I've got planer, joiner, about every saw made, routers, sanders, the whole collection of stuff, I build cabinets, mantles, some furniture, ent. centers, but windows, I don't think so especially divided light windows. The thing that would keep me from it is the material. I have access to suppliers for most material, but the kind of wood that is very very stable is what you need and like the man above says, by the time I find and purchase the material, no way am I in the ball park when I try to compete with factory made windows. It's just not worth it.

I will admit however that I have re-built existing windows where a portion of the window had failed due to improper maint. over the years. I presently re working a 80 yr.old double hung in my home. However about 75 % of the window is OK.

But to answer your question, go to a building material salvage yard and purchase one that is in good enough shape to give you something to take apart. and study.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

goodforwho & spiritgide claim that you will spend nearly as much than if you bought from a factory.
Goodforwho also claims that you own will not match the performance of new factory ones. (he failed to mention that wooden sash windows have lasted 150 years or more if taken care of. Does he really think Pella, Marvin, or Andersen will last even 50 years? See consumer reports for some reviews of these slipshod companies I just mentioned)
Nope.
In the first place factory windows will be finger-joint crap built from cheap wood. And I mean cheapest source they can get their hands on.
Second place
Materials don’t cost THAT much. Get Western Red Cedar or Cypress.
Third place
Infitinity Tools has a decent blog + video on making sashes.
Fourth place
Need to get Handbook of Doormaking, Windowmaking, and Staircasing (amazon or maybe library) to better understand how double hung windows are constructed.
Fith Place
Build prototype (maybe two) out of cheap pine so you know how everything is going to work out. What you could do better, what could be done more efficiently etc. Almost required: you have a tablesaw, routertable. If you succeed remember when you go to put that window in you are holding about 1500 window! If you pay say, Andersen 1500 for a window, they don’t stand behind their products and the craftsmanship (Andersen does not = craftsmanship!) just isn’t there (again see consumer reports on these jokers)

Answer 4

Don't let these guys tell you you can't ..."doing something wrong only makes you better at doing something correctly if you don't give up" first (assuming you're a decent carpenter and you own at least one book on the subject) start off and build a sample window with some cheap pine... seriously, this will help you in the long run and you will work out most quirks that arent highlighted or issues you might have missed, second, pick your wood. there are a few school of thoughts on it... this is fairly critical, poplar is the cheapest and 75% of the windows I have repaired have been poplar... I look at it this way, they've lasted 80,90,100 years or more when maintained...3rd, don't under estimate or better yet, consider expansion and contraction... If you're building them or it, during the summer months with humidity then your looking at slightly more of a tighter fit but if you're building/constructing them during low humidity or winter months then you would want them slightly more loose or some slack as to they will expand during high humidity. 4th, MAKE A PLAN AND SKETCH ... during your mock up make a size for frame and remember it, sketch it and then decide on a few things, how it's hung. double hung, single, hinged, railed, weights, sliding, etc. What type of joinery? Mortise? Butt joint (w screws) etc. make your window frames/sashes test fitting, and all... BTW I wouldn't recommend butt joint for a home window... after you've made your mock window, see what worked and what didn't and see what happened with regards to fitting, make sure your size and measurements were correct, if not find out why and fix this... that's a big issue, you want a nice snug fit. ... I'm a master carpenter, I've built windows for manufacturers using expensive machines and I've built 9 as a contractor and they're all still in and working correctly ... Also - make sure the sill (bottom of frame) is at a good pitch for water run off... my question now is, I wonder if rubbing tongue oil on the frames and sashes would help prevent rot and would it Preserve the wood while not interfere with paint durability? (i.e. would paint chip off after a few weeks or months preventing a bond)

Answer 5

I'm a long time pro builder and master carpenter. Yes, of course you could build your own windows. Why would you?

You will not save money. You will not build a better product than the top windows like Anderson or Pella, not even close. You will find out that there is a lot more to it than meets the eye, such as control of moisture in key components, air seal quality and anti-rot prevention steps that help windows last.

Windows seem expensive. Given what it takes to make good ones, they are a lot cheaper than you think. Buy them.

Answer 6

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
how are double hung windows built?I want to build my own?

Answer 7

If you have a router, table saw, and chop saw, you should be able to make your own, but I wouldn't try them unless you are very practiced with these tools and very patient. Also you may need a joiner or a planer if the wood is not the thickness you want. Cut your sides and tops and bottoms first, then use a shaper or planer with a cabinet makers bit to make the shape you desire. Dry fit them, to ensure a very snug fit. Finally, make any muntins you desire (if you want divided light windows). The easiest way to ensure you are doing it correctly is to look at an older window to see how they are put together. After all the parts have been dry-fit together checking for snugness, disassemble and glue it all together making ABSOLUTELY SURE that the window is glued up square and flat. Good Luck! Tony

Answer 8

If you are a beginner or have done some woodworking you will find these plans easy-to-follow as the instructions are very clearly written https://tinyurl.im/aHLID The woodworking plans are straightforward so they are not complicated at all. Even if you are a total newcomer to woodworking you will simply be able to master all the techniques that are needed and the woodworking skills very quickly by following the concise and clear instructions. Another thing which is so great about these woodworking plans is that there have been some videos included and there are some to guide you in how to build benches home furniture dog houses bird feeders sheds and much much more.

Answer 9

Want t build your own windows i commend you for that. But as a trades person who builds things for a living myself i could not go buy the lumber glass ect and including my time cheaper then i can buy them from a window retailer. Sad but true,and i even have most of the tools already that i would need to build them.
to build them yourself go get books that will teach you how to build them to describe how to build them to you would be to hard over the net especially if you do not no the language of wood workers. Hands on is really the only way to learn. You will have to learn to read wood even to pick out the wood for the windows. Regardless what you decide to do good luck in your venture.

Answer 10

If you are planning to start on your woodworking project, this isn't something you should use, it's something that you would be insane not to. Go here https://tr.im/b6jZD
Truth is, I've been a carpenter for almost 36 years, and I haven't found anything like this for less than 10's of thousands of dollars.