Big Doin’s on the Homestead

In addition to the first lawn mowing of the year, signifying (we hope) the end of winter (although our frost-free planting date is still six weeks off), our little cabin underwent a transformative few days as the new windows we ordered last summer were finally installed.  We can generally work in one big project per year, and this is the one for 2023.  Since the weather was sunny we were both working in the yard and did not get to watch/photograph every detail, plus the fellows worked so fast, but here are a few images.

The old windows were inexpensive double hung units with a triple track storm window grafted on to the outside, probably from the early 80s.  They were looking pretty shabby but even worse their performance could best be described as providing excellent ventilation, open or closed, year round.  Since we moved here I have had to tape plastic sheeting over the windows every winter.  Hint – if you have to do this THE BEST material to use is the transparent shower curtains from Dollar General.

Like I hinted, the fellows hit the ground running Monday morning.  They have done a lot of this so knew exactly what to do.  Actually, the window units were held in place only by the trim molding directly against them so once that was pried off the units just popped out.  I was amazed at the pace of work.

Sorry about the image quality, it was binding bright outside and our usual grotto inside.

The new Anderson units popped in place lickety split, and the trimming out was actually the slowest part of the process.  The living room windows went in first, and on Tuesday we were glad for that as the wind howled all day and into the evening, probably 30-40 mph.  Working out in the yard was like getting sandblasted.  But that evening as we were watching our nightly episode of The Chosen, there was not even a breath of air coming off the windows onto our necks.  Superb.

The most spectacular transformation is in the bedrooms upstairs.  It seems like the light coming in is twice as much as before.  That cannot be literally true but the new visual atmosphere is pretty wonderful.   BTW the trunk underneath the window is my suspenders repository, and it is almost full.  I rotate them out regularly.

The last part of the project is to replace the double windows in the dining room with a custom-made bay window which will both brighten the space and provide a shelf for some of Mrs. Barn’s plants.

We saved all the old window units and they will be repurposed into hot beds and cold frames for the garden.  That is in keeping with the motto of folks in the hinterlands: Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.