Creating an internal window, also known as a pass-through window or light well, can significantly enhance natural light in your home, improving both aesthetics and functionality. This guide will walk you through the process of making an internal window, from planning to installation.
Before you start, ensure you understand the structural implications and consult with a professional if your home is not a standard construction. This project requires careful planning and precision to ensure safety and structural integrity.
Planning Your Internal Window
Start by deciding on the location and size of your internal window. Consider factors like light distribution, privacy, and structural support. Sketch your design, including dimensions, and use this as a reference throughout the project.
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Gather your tools and materials. You'll need a circular saw, jigsaw, drill, tape measure, level, safety glasses, and ear protection. For materials, purchase lumber to match your existing framing, drywall screws, drywall tape, joint compound, sandpaper, and paint or primer.
Preparing the Opening
Measure and mark the opening for your internal window on the wall. Use a level to ensure your lines are straight. Cut along these lines using a circular saw, ensuring you cut through the drywall but not the studs. Remove the cut-out piece.
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Inspect the opening. You should see the studs framing the space. Use a stud finder to ensure these are evenly spaced and undamaged. If necessary, reinforce the studs with additional lumber or support beams.
Installing the Window Frame
Measure and cut the lumber for your window frame. The frame should fit snugly within the opening, with no gaps. Assemble the frame using drywall screws, ensuring it's square and level.
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Install the frame into the opening. Use shims to ensure it's level and plumb. Secure the frame to the studs using drywall screws. Ensure the frame is secure and doesn't wobble.
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Installing the Window Glass
Measure the opening of your frame. Purchase glass that fits snugly within this opening. Most hardware stores can cut glass to size for a small fee.
Install the glass into the frame. Ensure it's secure and doesn't rattle. You may need to use glazier's points or putty to secure the glass. Ensure the glass is level and plumb.
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Finishing the Internal Window
Once the glass is installed, you can finish the internal window to match your existing decor. Apply drywall tape around the edges of the frame, then apply joint compound. Allow this to dry, then sand it smooth.
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Now, I'm going to mark out the rough opening which I know is 30 inches. You need to check what your rough opening is on your window schedule. It's usually different from the actual window size but this one's thirty so I will line 15 inches right on my center mark then I'll mark this end and I will put a J jack on that end and I will go over here to 30 and mark J on this end okay this space here is our actual window opening this letter J represents jack and the jack is the framing number that holds the header up next I'm going to strike some lines perpendicularly across these plates now I'm going to measure over 1 and 1 half inches and another one and one half inches and this will represent our king stud. The king stud goes alongside the jack and goes all the way up to the top plate. Next, I'm going to transfer these marks to my top plate. This is the bottom plate. This is the top plate. You do want to make sure these plates are aligned on the end so when you stand them up, these boards are plump. Just so everyone knows what's going on with our windows I usually like to write the rough opening of the window on both plates so we know what it is and I'll write that in feet and inches so this is 2640 which is 30 inches by 48 inches 2640264 0 Alright, next we're going to lay out the cripples that hold the seal up on this window. What I've done is hooked on the outside of structure over here. I'm going to lay a cripple centered on 16 inches so that these cripples are on the same layout as the rest of the studs so when we do our sheet goods, they will break evenly on these cripples as well as the studs. There'll also be a cripple on the inside of each jack to catch the ends of the window sill. Alright, first step of sticking this thing together is to put in the king studs. These go on the very outside on the outside of the jacks. I've got these two wall plates laid out. I'm going to lay these in. Crown up. These are nice straight boards too by the way. You don't want to put really crooked ones on the sides of your windows. Now, we have the king studs in. Next, I'm going to install the jacks. These go on the inside of the king studs. Generally speaking, 81 inches as your jack length. That's the same as a door opening that will put the top of your window the same height as the top of your doors so that they line up. The header will sit on top of these jacks. I nail the jacks from the bottom then the top and then work down the middle making sure that they're flush with the king stud the whole way down on top. Jacks installed I'm going to hook on top of the jack and measure down and lock where the seal plate's going to go so I can measure for the cripples this measurement will be 48 inches plus the seal plate so we're going to go 48 plus an inch and a half that's our seal now I can measure up from the bottom to get our cripple links which in this case will be thirty-1 1/ 2 inch and I'll go ahead and mark that across That's your seal. Okay, next step is to install these cripples and they will hold up the window seal. I like to install the ones on the outside next to the jacks first so I can get my gun in and fasten them right here and I'll install the two middle ones. I So, I've got my window seal and this will fit in between the jacks. What I'm going to do is copy the layout for the cripples off of the bottom plate. So, I'll line it up inside the jack and then just trace Now, I have the same layout as I have on the bottom plate. I'll put it up here and nailed it. Last piece of the puzzle install the header in this case it is a load bearing point on a wall so I'm going to install a solid header instead of cripples we can do cripples if it's not load bearing I'll show you a picture of that right now okay we're back I'm going to stomp this thing down we will drill holes in this later I know you're looking at this it's hollow we'll drill holes in it and spray it full of foam insulation so I'm going to knock this in we will fasten it. It's always a good idea to have a header that fits really snug so that your wall doesn't compress later. Actually, that pulled out a little bit. So, we're going to lock it back tight. The last thing I'm going to do is double check that the window opening is the right size. Before I put the sheeting on this wall, it's a lot harder to fix once you got it sheeted. So, let's just double check it. Forty-eight. By 30. That was our rough opening two six four oh. 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Paint or prime the frame to match your walls. Allow the paint to dry completely before using the room. Your internal window is now complete and ready to enhance your home's natural light.
Creating an internal window can transform the feel of a room, making it brighter and more inviting. With careful planning and precise execution, you can achieve stunning results. Consider your home's unique layout and needs when planning your internal window project, and don't hesitate to consult a professional if you're unsure about any aspect of the process.
