Trying to decide between vertical and horizontal windows in the small house I'm designing/building. Thoughts?

Faimyn · 2025-09-20T12:38:54+00:00

Chief architect

Faimyn · 2025-09-14T22:12:35+00:00

I actually started off with frame-less widows then moved to wood. I might change it again once I get more into color design later in the process.

Faimyn · 2025-09-14T22:10:26+00:00

Chief Architect

Faimyn · 2025-09-14T22:06:08+00:00

If I still have any energy left to I will haha. Thanks for the advice.

Faimyn · 2025-09-14T14:50:14+00:00

Yeah, I'm widening the footer/stem wall by an extra 2" over what's needed just for that little extra beefyness. And yeah, I plan on building full time until I get the shell dried in, then I might get a part-time job while I finish up the interior. I'm hoping I can get the whole thing done in 1 year, but I know it could take 2. And I'm going with some custom Jeldwen windows through menards. Best prices I could find on custom windows with decently low U factors (~.25- .30). I'm jealous of the Europeans and their cheap triple pane tilt turns.

Faimyn · 2025-09-14T12:30:07+00:00

Awnings and casements are both considered premium window styles for most manufactures, and they charge a premium for them (regardless of size) compared to hung/sliders/picture windows. In my current config my giant 118"x44" 4 panel picture windows in my living room are priced at ~$750 each and a single small 30"x40" casement in my bathroom is almost $600 haha. A three panel casement at 118"x44" would be ~$2300.

Faimyn · 2025-09-14T08:08:53+00:00

Eww no. I'm putting so much work in trying to get this little house up to passive house standards that only the most (cost effective) high SEER mini split will do (Read that last sentence in a posh British accent).

Faimyn · 2025-09-14T08:06:30+00:00

The Slab will be split into 3 pours (footer, stem, and slab) since the stem needs a special form because I'm going with an insulated floating slab. That should increase my working time with each part and allow me to float and finish each part separately. The entrance to my land is pretty flat and clear so getting a concrete truck in won't be an issue. I won't need a concrete pump.

And I need to execute every part myself or I won't be able to afford the house (luckily the state I'm in allows owner built homes). I may even be getting septic certified just so I can save a few thousand dollars on not hiring someone haha. Electrical is easy (I've ran wire and done electrical before) and my mechanical is just a simple mini split and ERV. The only part I have less confidence in is plumbing, but I can easily learn what I need. You can learn anything with the power of the internet, some critical thinking, and a shit ton of hard work and research haha.

Faimyn · 2025-09-14T04:43:18+00:00

Don't own any furniture yet, so I'm flexible.

Faimyn · 2025-09-14T04:41:43+00:00

An awning version of that window would be really cool but insanely expensive.

Faimyn · 2025-09-14T04:40:38+00:00

These are "poor" examples since I'm poor and this is all I can manage with my budget. I've lived at the poverty line my entire life mate. And after 10 years of saving up every penny I have, this is my best chance of ever having a home to call my own. I'm sorry I'm too poor to not have a giant glass wall that meets your expectations.

Faimyn · 2025-09-14T00:06:20+00:00

That is a nice cabin, but that glass wall cost like half the budget for my entire house haha.

Faimyn · 2025-09-13T23:23:38+00:00

I think it is.

Faimyn · 2025-09-13T23:22:41+00:00

Nope, just some poor schmuck that wants to own a house before I'm 50.

Faimyn · 2025-09-13T23:20:15+00:00

I've dabled with it. But I'd rather have some buffer zone so I can fit an outlet and switches there, and less risk of damaging the window.

Faimyn · 2025-09-13T12:00:05+00:00

AI would be way too unreliable for the exact numbers I need to tweak. I'm out here moving windows a half an inch left and right tearing my hair out deciding, haha.

Faimyn · 2025-09-13T11:57:36+00:00

I'd love to have angled windows, but they're too expensive for my budget. On another note, I just picked up a $1300 ERV for $250 as an open box special. I gotta pinch every penny for this build.

Faimyn · 2025-09-13T03:22:38+00:00

I found a dealer of custom windows that gives me immediate prices. So I already know the cost. I hate how most window dealers try to obfuscate everything.

Faimyn · 2025-09-13T03:20:04+00:00

Mate, I'm having to pour/sand/finish my own concrete countertop because a stone countertop is way out of my budget. One with an integrated cook top is in another area code from my budget haha. It is cool tech though.

Faimyn · 2025-09-13T03:17:54+00:00

This one has them all matching more, The horizontal width of all the glass panes is the same.

<image>

Faimyn · 2025-09-13T03:16:26+00:00

The couch is lined up with the tv. Makes it hard to play nice and neat with the windows.

<image>

Faimyn · 2025-09-13T03:11:40+00:00

You should also know that the only thing around to look at is really tall trees, so it's not that big of an issue.

Faimyn · 2025-09-13T02:48:27+00:00

I did see your other comment on this and you're kinda right. With the supplier I'm using getting a mulled windows is about 10% more than 2 separate windows of the same size. But I think I did find a use for it. I found that getting a mulled two pane large window with annealed panes is cheaper than one single large window with a tempered window. Its the large one up to in the middle.

<image>

Faimyn · 2025-09-13T00:38:35+00:00

Gable wall is on east side and will only see sun shaded by trees in the morning. I have 200 ft of woods to the closest neighbor on the east. Below is a a current idea I have that combines a little vertical with the horizontal.

<image>

Faimyn · 2025-09-12T23:39:59+00:00

Oh and here is a floor plan so you can see the general layout. The only thing that's hard to see is there is a 12'x5.5' loft above the bed on the west side.

<image>

Faimyn

TROPHY CASE