Give old windows a fresh new outlook by turning them into an outdoor hideaway! We spotted this clever upcycling project at Design Sponge and thought building this backyard escape would be the perfect way to round out the summer. A Swedish reader of Design Sponge submitted this project when she was left with a pile of old windows after having new ones installed in her home. What could have been sent to a landfill instead became a unique, inviting backyard dwelling where kids and adults alike may escape a hectic household to read a book, play a game, or sneak a snooze.
Installing new windows in your home is one way to increase indoor energy efficiency. And salvaging old windows by transforming them into an outdoor respite place really makes this green undertaking a full circle endeavor. This space is a literal window of opportunity, boasting the rewards to be reaped by pairing sustainable building and thoughtful design.
It’s a shame that this article continues the mistaken propogation of the idea that replacing windows increases the efficiecy of a house. Unless you are replacing crappy newish windows, older wood windows will almost always be a better bet to repair than replace. Most of the energy loss related to windows comes from air infiltration not heat loss through the glass. So considering embodied energy, quality of materials and craftsmanship, the ROI on new windows is usually close to 20+ years and the likelyhood of those double pane vinyl windows still functioning by then is slim to none