Making wooden frames by hand is quite challenging, as the profile must be prepared while strictly adhering to all dimensions. The elements of the window system must fit tightly together; only then will the product be airtight.
Drainage systems are also complex to manufacture. People with experience working with wood can do it correctly. It is best to cut the elements on special machines, which will ensure the windows last a long time. However, not everyone has access to such machines, so it is better to stick to the simplest project at home. Of course, a homemade product will not be airtight, but it will be suitable for glazing a dacha, balcony, and summer kitchen.
Preparatory Work Stage
How to make windows by hand with minimal effort? The manufacturing process consists of the following stages:
- Selecting the appropriate profile. Purchasing building materials.
- Making the box and frame.
- Installing window blocks. Glazing.
At the preparatory stage, you will need to choose the glass. It can be ordinary sheet glass, which is suitable for dacha windows. Additionally, ready-made glass units can be installed in wooden frames.
Each of the selected options has its advantages. For example, in the first case, there is an opportunity to independently choose and buy cheap material. However, using glass units in wooden frames significantly reduces heat loss.
[wpmfc_cab_sw]When manufacturing glass units, manufacturers fill the space between the glass sheets with an inert gas. Such windows can be used for glazing a dacha and a country house.[/wpmfc_cab_sw]
Window frames can be made from larch. Oak is also popular, but it is significantly more difficult to process. A good option is to make structures from angarsk pine. Even beginner builders can work with glued beams, and products made from this material will last at least 50 years.
It is advisable to purchase drawings in advance. The simplest option, suitable for beginner builders, is to make windows with a double frame and single glazing. For carpentry work, the following tools are required:
- hammer;
- saw;
- chisel.
The work will be done faster if you have an electric planer and a router.
You can read about various tools for woodworking in our article.
How to make a window so that it lasts a long time? Much depends on the quality of the material. Only dry wood is suitable for work. It should be carefully inspected at the construction site. It is important that there are no knots, otherwise the frame will crack. A good option is glued material. For independent window manufacturing, you will need a drawing, glass, metal corners, and carpenter’s glue.
Glued beams are good because they are practically not subject to deformation. A frame made from this material will not change shape even at high humidity. The window frame can be made from boards 50×150 mm and bars 50×50 mm. Additionally, all wooden structures are treated with an antiseptic. This prevents rotting.
The factory window profile has a complex structure, which is very difficult for beginners to replicate. Therefore, it is easiest to use the simplest project. For example, plywood can be used to create a window profile. It is necessary to fasten 4 strips in the shape of a rectangle. To make the profile, several rectangles are assembled. This way, you can make a solid frame or a window with 3 or 2 glasses.
To make a frame with 1 glass, you will need 8 strips of plywood, which will form 2 rectangles. The strips of the 2 layers should be made narrower. Wood screws are used to connect the parts. All parts of the structure are coated with carpenter’s glue, which will make the frame last for many years.
How to Make a Box from Boards
The amount of material you need depends on the size of the windows. First, you need to make a box, on which the frame will be installed. The box protects it from deformation during the settling of the building. All elements are made from dry boards, which should be without cracks. They are processed with sandpaper, which allows removing small burrs. Then, marking is applied, and parts of the structure are cut out.
During the work, it is important to pay attention to the outer perimeter of the product. It should be approximately 3 cm smaller than the dimensions of the window opening in the wall. Next, you should look at the inner perimeter, which should be approximately 3 mm larger than the size of the frame.
All elements of the box are connected using the tongue-and-groove principle. This can be done with a router or a saw. For the work, you will need a chisel and a mallet. The tongue is made on the part that is planned to be installed in a vertical position. The groove is cut on the element that will be installed in the window opening in a horizontal position.
Next, you need to take sandpaper and carefully sand all the elements. The box is assembled on the floor or another flat surface. The tongue and groove are coated with carpenter’s glue, which increases the strength of the assembly. It is necessary to ensure that all parts of the window are connected at a 90° angle. For this, a metal corner is used.
To give the structure greater rigidity, 2 holes are drilled diagonally in the box. This should be done in the places where the tongue-and-groove connection occurs. Using a mallet, wooden dowels are inserted into them (this fixes the right angle). All dowels are pre-coated with carpenter’s glue. It needs to dry, so the box should be left for some time. At the next stage, the window frame is made.
Assembling the Window Frame
The size of the window determines its configuration. Deciding to make a wooden window frame for the first time, it should be noted that it is easiest to make standard products. To ensure the product is of high quality and lasts a long time, it is necessary to purchase glued pine beams. They are less prone to twisting, which is an undeniable advantage of this material.
It is important to choose the right type of glazing. It can be double or single. The first is more often used in areas with harsh climates, and such windows are installed in houses. For a summer kitchen and balcony, it is sufficient to make windows with single glazing. Experienced craftsmen can do this in 1 day.
The work begins with marking the bars, on which grooves need to be cut. It is easiest to do this with a router, which is installed on an electric drill. Lower grooves are necessary to install the frame in the box profile, and upper grooves are needed for mounting the glass. The joints should be glued with carpenter’s glue.
The window frame should be assembled according to the drawing, the process is similar to assembling the box. When the work is completed, the window frame should be placed on the floor until the glue is completely dry.
To properly install the homemade windows, it is necessary to cut holes in the wall in advance. It is important to remove construction debris and dirt.
Holes need to be drilled in the walls, into which dowels will subsequently be placed. The distance between the holes should not exceed 80 mm.
The highest quality fastening is achieved using screws. When the box is installed, all gaps should be “blown” with mounting foam. Other insulating materials can be used.
When installing windows, it is important to maintain the geometry. The angles should be strictly 90°, with a deviation of no more than 1 mm per 1 m.
Cutting Glass.
- The material is placed on a flat surface without bumps. This is very important, as on an uneven surface, the fragile material may crack. A table is suitable for work.
- Marking is made. Then a ruler should be placed on the glass.
- The glass cutter should be pressed against the material, and then it should be run along the glass along the ruler. A continuous scratch should remain on the material.
- The glass is moved to the edge of the table, placing it so that the cutting line coincides with the edge.
- The part of the glass that lies on the table should be held with one hand, and with the other hand, it is necessary to gently press on the part hanging over the floor. The pressure should be increased until the glass breaks along the line drawn by the glass cutter.
It is better to practice on an old piece of glass first, and then cut the new one.
[wpmfc_cab_ss]There is another glazing option. You need to take measurements, and then order the glass cutting in a workshop. When the work is done, the material should be picked up, brought to the dacha site, and inserted into the frame.[/wpmfc_cab_ss]
Installing Glass.
- The sheet is placed in the frame. Then it is removed, and silicone sealant is applied to its edges. The glass is installed in place.
- Fixing the glazing bead. Each element of the frame needs to be measured. The glazing bead is cut, and the ends are cut at a 45° angle.
- Silicone sealant is applied to the glass in the places where the glazing bead will be installed, which is then nailed with small nails.
As a result of using silicone sealant and glazing beads, the glass will be securely fixed in the frame without gaps. When installing windows, it is important to ensure that all gaps are blown with mounting foam. If they are not removed, thermal bridges will form.
When working with glass and wood, do not forget about protection. Hands should be covered with gloves, and eyes should be protected with special glasses when cutting glass.
When installing a ready-made glass unit in the frame, do not forget about installing the windowsill. It can be made from different materials. When the windows are securely fixed in the opening, they are covered with primer and then painted. From the room side, any paint can be used, but for painting the side facing the street, it is worth using paint that is resistant to temperature changes.
Conclusion
A wooden window can be made in a few days if you choose the simplest model. It is important to take measurements correctly. To avoid mistakes, it is worth orienting yourself on the old frames. Frames are made from well-dried wood. Usually, pine is used in construction, but oak and glued beams can also be used.
