Installing the windows made for an incredible transformation to my container. It went from being a metal box with some rough cut holes in it to being something that resembled some sort of dwelling or structure.
The installation went quick for the windows. Well, kinda quick. Actually two windows installed without a glitch and the other two took some wrangling. One of the window holes I slightly miscalculated and had to re-cut the top of the hole, it was the left triangle shaped window. The second tough window was the only vinyl nail-on type window of the bunch. That window was a beast in size and in weight. That hole too had to be re-cut, re-framed, done, undone and redone again. I’m still battling that window now!!!
The skylights took some deep thinking to figure out how to deal with a rippling roof that looks like swells on a calm ocean. Also there’s the issue of corrugation and what to do with that, meaning how to seal the skylight to the roof. My nephew and expert builder came to the rescue on that hurdle. He devised a way that the skylights were floated off the roof by way of a wooden sandwich stemming from the ceiling joists. That netted a flat foot print for the skylight to sit on about an inch above the existing roof. The only downside of that solution is a flashing and caulking nightmare down the road.
The vinyl windows are recycled. I purchased them for pennies on the dollar at a store called ‘The ReStore”. All sales benefit the Habitat for Humanity. And all items in the store have been donated by contractors, home remodelers, etc. They have a great selection of vinyl windows. And buying there contributes to a great cause. Overall the windows were in excellent shape too!
Anyways the windows and skylights are a snug fit in their new metal environment.
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- Recutting the left side triangular hole.
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- Scott carrying the end window with crossed fingers. Will it fit?
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- Installing the end triangular style windows.
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- Exterior view of installing the end windows.
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- A look at the end windows temporarily blocked into position.
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- Scott ponders how the windows will be framed in once they are set into position.
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- Measuring to make sure the 5ft x 6ft side window will fit.
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- The windows were temporarily fixed with wooden blocks.
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- The non-nail-on windows were installed from the exterior and were much easier to deal with.
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- 10ft window hole prior to window installation.
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- The 10ft nail-on window is dropped into place.
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- I slashed my finger removing the garbage bag from the plastic kitchen trash can.
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- Ian my faithful assistant inspects the 10ft slider window.
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- A look at the temporary blocks holding the windows in position.
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- Pondering the infinite possibilities of a leaky skylight.
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- Scott proposes the ‘pedestal’ install method for the skylights.
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- Measuring the skylight pedestal. We used 2×6 green board to create a stable skylight platform.
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- Squaring up the skylight studs.
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- Being a 28yr old container has its drawbacks. One being the hits it’s taken over the years.
Tags: alternative, construction, container, office, recycle, reuse, vinyl, windows
