suggestions on my project?

[alath]

Our newly purchased home has a 60's vintage "air conditioner window." This is a window that was built in to the house for a large window- style ac unit. The house has long since been converted to central a/c, but nobody ever bothered to take out the big window unit. It is a bit ugly, so my thought was to remove the a/c unit and build in a faux stained glass window. I would trim out the opening, then place a fixed outer pane and fixed inner pane, and put the faux stained glass transparent film on the inner pane.

Can anyone suggest any pitfalls, hints, tips, or suggestions that may help me on this project?

I seem to recall that window a/c's are usually removed/installed from inside the house - so I should expect this thing to come out into the house, right?

[C & E]

I give my two cents but I'm not too sure it's actually worth that much! The a/c unit does, indeed, come out from the inside of the house. As far as the faux stained glass goes I don't know the life expectancy of that stuff but it will, eventually, come loose. Have you check a glass shop for other options? Decorative, cut (sand blasted) panels are available and you might find them within your price range. You don't know until you check and they may have other suggestions for you.

[Edwin Pawlowski]

Some of the larger AC units have a slide out chassis. You remove the inside unit, then you can take the housing out. Get some help lifting the unit as they can be very heavy.

Stained glass sounds nice, The double pane idea is good too. Another option is to replace the entire window with something new, perhaps a greenhouse window so you can grow fresh herbs for winter use.

[aemeijers]

Cute idea, but better to use real stained glass, with an outer pane. That film stuff will fall apart from the heat and UV in that little hotbox two panes will create. Unless the outside is something impossible to patch in well, like brick, most people would just patch the hole. Is this on the front or the end of the house? I have seen holes in brick walls plugged with decorative stone or faux stone gargoyles or address plates, and such. Local gravestone company could etch up a granite sink cutout with your family name, crest, address numbers, whatever. Local arts'n'crafts supply can point you to people who can make custom-sized stain glass panels to your design. If they aren't name artists, it isn't even that expensive.

aem sends....

[Marilyn & Bob]

Where is this window A/C? Is it in the only bedroom currently being used? If so, you might want to keep it. Turn off the central A/C at night and use the bedroom one. No need to keep the whole house cool when only one room is occupied.

[aemeijers]

Commonly, these big wall-throughs were in living room or kitchen. And a mondern central unit likely uses less joice than a 1960s wall-through, if it is indeed the original.

aem sends....

[alath]

Thanks for the replies.

The unit is located in the great room, between the kitchen and living room areas.

I would like to eventually do a real stained glass window in that spot. It seems like it would be a good location for one based on the way light comes into the house and the fact that that wall is prominently "on display" in one of the main rooms of the house.

The faux stained glass film is more of a temporary budget alternative, that would probably eventually be replaced with real stained glass if we decide we like it. Or perhaps just keep changing to different patterns of faux film.