0205 - Enclosed-Blind Windows, Window Installation, and Master Bath October 9-15, 2006 | April 9-15, 2007 >> Hi, I'm Bob Vila. Welcome to the show and our remodeling project here where we're making a couple of rooms ready for a brand-new baby in a two-family house outside of Boston. Today we're gonna be showing you some nice, new windows from Pella that include some very safe types of window shades. Also, we're installing a toilet. And, in the master bathroom, we're gonna be putting in some paneling as well as some new type of tile. Stick around. It's good to have you with us. Today we're back at our nursery project here in Melrose, Massachusetts -- our 1895 two-family house. And last week we insulated the roof above the third floor, and Nick and Maggie, the homeowners, gave us a tour of their apartment, second and third floor, where they're pretty busy making some changes and remodeling, getting ready for their first baby, whose arrival is quite imminent. And today we're going to look at an important feature of the nursery, which has to do with windows and window shades. We've got Cordell Burton here from Pella. Hey, Cordell.
>> Hi, Bob.
>> Vila: So, the big news here is that the window shade is sandwiched in between panes of glass, right?
>> It's right inside the two panes of glass.
>> Vila: And they're all interchangeable. So if you want to change from one color to another, it's easy to do?
>> That's right. Yeah.
>> Vila: And the good news is that you don't have to worry about cords which can be a real danger to a youngster, getting caught in the crib, or even with toddlers.
>> Yeah, it all actually goes from out here. You adjust it from the outside.
>> Vila: Okay. And the top sash?
>> The top sash -- I'll show you it's already inside. And we've been putting in some room-darkening shades.
>> Vila: So, that's the darkening one. And you could always flip it out and change that one, as well. What kind of color selection have you got?
>> Actually, if they have a little baby girl, we do have pink.
>> Vila: Pinks and blues and all sorts of options there. That's nice. That's a nice blue. So, they've chosen a nice color.
>> Nice, neutral color.
>> Vila: You know what I like? You're not going to have any dust catchers here.
>> There's actually 200 times less allergens on these shades than there are on a normal shade or blind.
>> Vila: Cause they're trapped behind the glass. What about the actual efficiency of the window in terms of the weather?
>> Yeah, you've actually got a full, insulated panel on the outside, plus another pane, so they're far more efficient than the normal, typical window.
>> Vila: For cold and for sound attenuation.
>> That's right.
>> Vila: Now, Cordell, is this an easy installation for the average do-it-yourselfer?
>> Yes, actually, it's quite simple. Most of the typical homeowners could do this by themselves.
>> Vila: So, how do you go about it with an old window?
>> With an old double-hung window, the first thing you got to think about is just removing the old stops. As you remove the stops, the sash will actually come out.
>> Vila: Right, so, you've got the inside stop and the parting bead...
>> Parting stop, yeah. And then, if you remove those, the sash comes out. That leaves a nice, open pocket for the new window to go inside of. The sill of the window quite often can be damaged. So we've come up with a new Pella smart flash tape. It's a tape that you can actually use to protect areas at the bottom of the window opening.
>> Vila: And what about old, double-hung sash? There's pockets for the weights in there, and it's usually a big source of energy loss.
>> That's right. It's a big-ol' pocket in the sides. What we used here today is actually a foam that we just blow inside of that pocket. And it'll expand and fill most of that up.
>> Vila: So, it's an easy do-it-yourself job?
>> Yes.
>> Vila: Thanks, Cordell. And downstairs, our homeowner, Nick, has dealt with a different kind of installation.
>> So, we finished our roughs, which then allowed us to move on to our framing. We reframed the floor, leveling it and taking care of some of the structural damage that the previous plumbers had done. We were able to then do the rest of our framing in the bathroom to define the new master bath, which is off the bedroom. And on the other side of this wall is the powder room. On this wall, we were able to install our cementitious board to accept tile. We got our tub in, and our new tub deck. And we got our cement board down on the floor, too, for tile. And then, when we took the plaster down on the exterior wall, we realized that we didn't have -- it was underframed for what it should have been. There were no headers or anything. And the windows, which were mismatched Ôcause they were originally in two different bathrooms... Thought this was a good time to just redo the whole thing, make it structurally sound, and, also, put in some matching windows that would be more centered on the space. So, we reframed the wall for the new windows -- we wanted the space between the windows to match. So, although this looks like a big structural support, it's actually really just acting as a big spacer. And, up above, we had to put in a new header, which we made out of 2 2x8s, and in between the 2x8s we put a piece of 1/2-inch plywood, which just, again, acts as a spacer. But that way, our dimension of the 2 2x8s and the 1/2-inch is 3 1/2 inches, which is the same dimension as the 2x4. So, now we're ready to install the windows. So, to make sure the installation is watertight, we follow the recommendations of the window manufacturer, which we're using Pella windows in this case. So, we start with a cut down the middle... Stopping close to the bottom. Couple angle cuts down to the corners. And we cut straight across the top. Then this allows us to fold everything back... Create some nice waterproofing. Let me just staple it back, keep it out of our way. And then we trim the excess off so we're nice and clean -- makes it easier to work with. Next, the manufacturer recommends that we put a -- basically, make a water pan out of the waterproof tape. Self-adhesive, so we cut it -- they recommend going about 6 inches up on each side. Whenever you're gonna install this kind of tape, it's always really important that you get the corners nice and tight because you can end up with a fair amount of buildup, which can create problems later on when you try to fit your window. So, we double it up so we make sure that we get the complete windowsill covered. You let it overhang about an inch so we can get it all the way beyond the opening. That way, if there is any water that does manage to get in, or we get any condensation built up around the window, it will flow to the outside and not affect our framing. So, it's important whenever you're doing waterproof projects like this that you work from the bottom up because you think like a drop of water. The water's gonna run down the sides and then into the bottom. So you want to make sure that, if it runs down, it overlaps the bottom piece instead of running behind the bottom piece. Before we hand the window out the opening, I like to get it all set. I'm bending back the nailing flange. You got it? Get the bottom out. There we go. You okay?
>> Yeah.
>> With the window roughed in place, we make sure it's nice and level and plumb. And then we, as per the manufacturer's recommendation, we shim it in three spots -- on the bottom, in the middle, and the top. I'm gonna do that before we nail off the flange to make sure that it won't move once we start nailing. One more. And then we check one more time. It still looks good. All right, John, nail it. In order to make an airtight seal, Pella's provided us with some spray foam insulation. We just run around and fill all the voids around the window. So, this is low-expansion, window-and-door foam. And it's important that you use low-expansion foam when you're doing windows and doors because, if the foam expands too much, it can push your jams out of plumb, or out of level, and then your door or window won't operate correctly.
>> Vila: All right. Well, Nick's done a great job of installing these windows. Tell us about the features.
>> Yeah, this is actually the architect series window. It's made more like the traditional window that's in the rest of the home.
>> Vila: The appearance is of an 1890s two-over-one window.
>> Two-over-one pattern with the wider lower rail, the thin check rail, and, as you can see here, the nice spoon hardware, just like in the rest of the windows.
>> Vila: Okay. And it's wood on the inside.
>> Wood on the inside... And aluminum-clad on the outside to give it that low maintenance.
>> Vila: Exactly. And what about the glass itself?
>> This glass is a double-paned, insulated glass. So it's actually got two panes of glass with two low-e coats and argon-filled to give it that good energy performance.
>> Vila: So, it's as energy efficient. It is energy star. That's great. Well, it's a beautiful window.
>> Thank you.
>> Vila: Thanks a lot. Now, if Nick, our homeowner, gets here, we've got a few other things to do here in the master bath. Closed captioning provided by...
>> Vila: Hi. Bob Vila. Next time on the show, our remodeling project, which is all about getting ready for a new baby, is seeing some new windows installed. We'll be showing you two types of window -- one which is very historically appropriate for a 100-year-old house, and another one which had some built-in shades that are very friendly for babies -- no cords to dangle around. And in the master bathroom, we'll be looking at some paneling and some beautiful tile. Don't miss it.
>> Vila: Bob Vila here. Next time on the show, in our "getting ready for the new baby" segment, our house remodeling includes installing some brand-new windows with great safety features, also some new bathroom tile and paneling. Don't miss it.
>> Vila: Hi, Bob Vila here. Next time on the show, our "getting ready for the new baby" project includes some new-window installations and some beautiful tiles and paneling in the bathroom. Don't miss it.
>> Vila: Hey, Nick.
>> Hey, Bob.
>> Vila: Perfect timing. So, you've been making paneling for the master bath here.
>> That's right.
>> Vila: And this is essentially -- what are you making it out of?
>> It's parbury styles and rails and then an M.D.F. Panel.
>> Vila: Medium-density fiberboard. And that's a real stable product. And this goes in here?
>> That's right.
>> Vila: Part of the tub surround. And you've already made the side walls. This is a very good design feature for this bathroom and for this period house because, very often, you have this kind of paneling all over the place.
>> We'll just tack this one.
>> Vila: Tack is the right approach. You've already scribed it, I bet.
>> Yep, scribed it in this corner so we have a nice, tight fit. Get a couple in here.
>> Vila: Okay.
>> Make sure this one fits nice and tight. Get this one lined up.
>> Vila: You've already got these nice porcher tubs from American Standard. And it's an awfully elegant affair. Cast iron.
>> Correct.
>> Vila: And then, what happens here?
>> On top, we're gonna do a corian tub deck.
>> Vila: Okay. So, that sits right on top of everything.
>> Nice and watertight. And we'll have another matching piece that goes on the half wall here.
>> Vila: So you really have fit the paneling, and that's why we're just tacking it. ÔCause, until you get the corian to go over the tub, you don't want to really finish nailing it off.
>> Exactly.
>> Vila: And then, where you are in this bathroom, we'll have a toilet. And I know that toilets are being installed in the kids' bathroom as we speak.
>> That's right.
>> We'll just make sure the floor is level.
>> Vila: Once the toilet flange is installed in the floor, John, our plumber, checks to be sure the floor is level, then adds a ring of beeswax to be sure the seal between the toilet and the drain is airtight. This is American Standard's champion two-piece toilet. A white washer, metal washer, and brass nut secure the bowl on each side. Next, John adds some thread sealant on the supply tube to connect the tank to the waterline...
>> And we'll put in the supply, which goes to the tank.
>> Vila: ...Tightens the connection and turns on the valve to check for any leaks. [ Metal screeching ] [ water running ] the great thing about this toilet is the Champion flushing system. It's got the industry's largest syphon outlet -- 40% larger than most. That increased water flow cleans the bowl efficiently and, best of all, virtually eliminates clogs. And we all know how handy that can be when you think of all the things a toddler might put in there.
>> All right, now we'll cut these down so we can put on the finish cap. Give it a little snug. Now that that's off, we can put on the cap.
>> Vila: The toilet still only uses 1.6 gallons per flush, and comes with a 10-year warranty... Just in case.
>> Fini.
>> Vila: So, Nick, I think you've made some pretty appropriate choices in terms of tile. I mean, this hex on the floor is very much in keeping with early 20th-century plumbing. And then tell us what else you're choosing for the tub surround.
>> We're going to do a subway tile...A broken-bond pattern.
>> Vila: And that, again, is something that, not only do you really see it in new york city subways, but it also became a very popular type of tile in early bathrooms.
>> And then we're also gonna do a little contemporary feel -- a glass tile as an accent that will run around the outside edge of the tub surround.
>> Vila: And these are all from Dal-Tile?
>> Correct.
>> Vila: They're fabulous. Okay, so you'll have that on the edges.
>> That's right.
>> Vila: Very good. Well, I know that we're running out of time, but so are you. When's the baby due?
>> Have about a week.
>> Vila: [ Laughs ] Good luck. Next week, we're installing a Solserene ceiling, putting in Owens Corning QuietZone sound-attenuation, and the Certapro painters will give us a bunch of tips. Till next time, I'm Bob Vila. Thanks for watching. Looking for help on your next project? Visit BobVila.Com for everything you need to get the job done right. You'll find show highlights, interactive tools for planning your next project, and helpful how-to articles for every room in your home.
Additional Bob Vila Showrooms • Sears - Custom-Fit Replacement Windows and Entry Doors • FixtureUniverse.com - Plumbing, kitchen and bath fixtures • SelectBlinds.com - The window blinds and shades America trusts • eFaucets - Find all the best names in kitchen and bath fixtures • Sears - Kitchen Cabinet Remodeling and Refacing • FaucetDepot.com - Plumbing, faucets and fixtures
Carpentry, Construction & Materials • Beasley & Reidy Restorations - Residential contracting, remodeling, and home restoration Doors & Windows • Pella - Designer Series double-hung windows with snap-in, snap-out between-the-pane shades (room-darkening), wood interior, aluminum clad exterior; Architect Series double-hung windows with two-over-one grille pattern, aluminum clad exterior, wood interior Floors, Stairs & Elevators • Dal-Tile - Subway wall tiles, hexagon floor tiles, glass accent tiles Plumbing & Septic Systems • American Standard - Champion 1.6 gpf low-flush toilet
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