Windows of Badboulder

Perhaps the greatest money-saving feature of Badboulder's main house are the windows that David installed. He constructed fifty-five of our home's seventy-two windows. Nineteen of the twenty-six small windows are clerestories which brings in natural light. They are seventeen by fourteen inches, placed closely under the roof line which helps prevent heat buildup. The other seven small windows are long and narrow to provide light and privacy. He made these windows from glass that was professionally cut which is much less pricey than custom made windows.

An impossible task for these two do-it-yourselfers was to build a home with huge expanses of glass. This installation requires cranes and large crews. However, we wanted to bring in the abundant light and views that AZ offers. David did the requisite reading, researching of products and found a way for us to have some glass without jeopardizing structural requirements.

The real money saver was the use of recycled sliding glass door panels to construct fourteen large windows. We bought twenty-eight panels in order to create fourteen duel paned windows. The panels are either three by eight or four by eight feet which are installed slightly above floor level--youngest two of our four kids are thirty-five so we're not too worried about that low placement.

We found the glass door panels at Habitat for Humanity stores and Stardust. Close inspection of these doors is necessary as many are scratched. Paint spots can easily be removed. Wear your grubbies when buying these panels; all are dirty. Most panels can be purchased for $10 to $20 and there was a glut, probably due to homeowners updating to duel paned or French doors.

David removed all the framing, usually aluminum, which was given to charitable organizations recycling for profit. My job was the cleanup--the glass sides that were glazed together had to be spotless. I used old satin petticoats for a final polishing to remove all lint. I also painted the jambs that separate the two panels; the jambs aren't very visible but do need to be finished. The glazing tape purchased online was a key element in the process.

I have some favorites among the windows: one is very close to a large boulder perfect for lizard watching and the others offer views untouched by man.

In addition to all these windows, nine of Badboulder 's doors are glass fronted, sliding or French. This means one hundred sixty-two sides of glass to clean. This also means that you will never visit us and find all simultaneously clean.

When our electrician commented on our extensive use of glass in the house, David deemed them "poor man's windows"--quite accurate and afraid it stuck. I love our poor man's windows.

FROM THE KNOTHOLE: I have heard it said that eyes are windows to the soul. If that is true, then perhaps it is also true that windows offer a view to the soul of a house. And, if that be true, then it can be said that the Badboulder house bares its soul to the world. In preparation for installing the panes and panels of glass, I affixed 3/4 inch light gauge metal jambs in each window with the jambs facing inward. To hold the windows in place and to provide a thermal break, I used UV resistant glazing tape slightly wider than the jamb, 1/8th inch thick, and sticky on both sides. By facing the jambs toward the interior, I was able to install the windows from the interior, which was much easier and safer than building a working platform on the outside at each window location. Since the jambs face the inside, there is no wooden, vinyl, or metal window frame exposed to the exterior.

a parting shot from bbman: it's hard to be cool when your fly is wide open. Capt. Norman Childs, US Army, Commander, Company D, 2-7th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division, Vietnam, 1969