Before we could begin
installing our sliding glass windows, we had to check exactly where
to place them within their frames. Our instructions from the kit home
company informed us that to install the windows we should check the
pre-cut cladding fits the window at one end of the house, and then
work our way to the other end of the house so the other windows would
fit the pre-cut cladding. We pulled the dozens of sheets of cladding
off the pile, carefully and often only one at a time, as many of them
are seven metres long and quite heavy. We moved them to a new pile
nearby, and measured each different lengths and took notes of how
many of each length there were.
None of the sheets of
cladding were pre-cut. This meant that we could place the windows in
the frames as we chose. There is a gap of almost 10mm around each
side between the window and the frames, so they required packers. We
looked around for some pieces of wood around 10mm thick and cut them
into suitable pieces, about 80mm long and the width didn't matter. We
then discovered that a difference of only 1mm made a very big
difference when it came to putting a 95mm wide piece of wood into a
slot which was only 85mm wide.
So we looked around for some more wood
which we cut into packers which were about 5mm thick and 2mm thick.
Our local tip has a section where people chuck their old timber into
a big pile, so it is a great place to obtain scraps of timber for
projects. The benefits of this are low prices, recycling of second
hand items, and the closeness of the locality saves on petrol (saving
money and the environment).
We started by installing
the smallest window first, which was the bathroom. We placed some
packers underneath the window and made sure it was level before
screwing it down. We then placed packers into the sides and screwed
them in. We did not put packers in the top as that can bow the
window. The next size up windows were all placed in a similar manner,
and it was a fairly easy job. We tied same rope around the outside of
the window frames as extra security in case the window tried to fall
out. These windows are bushfire rated for BAL 29 and would be quite
expensive to replace.
At one stage work was held
up as we tried to find out the best way to remove paper wasp nests.
Apparently these guys give a very nasty sting, so we wanted to avoid
that us much as possible. The best method we discovered was to use a
can of flammable propellant (deodorant, hairspray, etc.) with a
lighter to create a flame thrower. This singes their wings so that
they cannot fly, and then when they fall to the ground they can be
killed. There are still some nests which we have been unable to
remove yet, but thankfully we haven't been stung so far.
The largest window and the
glass sliding door were far too heavy for the two of us to lift on our
own, so we asked one of our neighbours to come and help us out. A
couple of hours work and these were also installed. Thank you so much! Before installing
the door the bottom of the metal framed was cut through on both sides
and removed. There did not need to be packers under the door, but
otherwise the installation method was the same.
We have already had insects
and birds getting stuck in the windows, even though the walls are not
clad and they could easily fly around! I guess they have never
encountered such a strange material as glass before and have trouble
understanding it. The presence of the door creates a surprising
difference to the sense of 'inside' and 'outside'. It feels quite
annoying to have to open the door in order to enter the house, and
yet it does create a much warmer environ when you are standing inside
and it cuts out the wind chill. I had to get a door mat and put it
outside the door, as I suddenly felt like walking 'inside' with dirty
boots was just wrong. Of course it was just a mental difference,
physically everything else was just the same.
The next stage is to screw the wall cladding on, with insulation underneath it.
