How do you do your windows?

[CupOJoe42]

I have been obsessing over windows myself, as my coop has not been started yet and my chicks are quickly outgrowing their brooder in my basement! There was a post on here that showed a very unique design that I really liked. The person had double hung windows framed into their coop and then they framed out hardware cloth and attached it to the inside of the coop over the windows using wingnuts or hook and eye fasteners. This made the hardware cloth easy to remove, to get to the windows (to clean them or open/close them.) This could even be done by attaching the frames with hinges on one side, and hook and eye fasteners on the other.

I saved a picture of it.

 

[gale65]

Quote:
I just bookmarked a page with that picture last night.

I have a similar setup in my current coop but with the screen on the outside (since it was easier to mount it ouside because of our coop being so short).

 

[bertman]

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I'm confused about what the membrane is for. Is it just to serve as a sort of a hinge plus gasket? Thanks so much for the detailed info. It really helps!

Gale65, you're not confused at all. You got it exactly right. The membrane acts as a hinge plus it acts as a rainproof awning and cover over the plywood 'shutter' when the window is opened, then when it is closed it acts as a weather seal.

 

[bertman]

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Frithest, I'm glad you liked the idea and description. I'm going to try to get a pic or two to post later today.

 

[bertman]

Here are some photos of the windows:

this one shows the side windows and half of the end windows.

this one shows my lovely assistant coop builder (DW) facing the end of the coop with two upper windows wide open, the lower right partially open, and the lower left being adjusted.

this one shows her about to wrap the wire around the screw below the window to secure it shut.

this one shows her holding the window open. Note the wire attached to the screw above the window.

NOTE: one thing I forgot in my instructions was that I used a very small washer under the screw head when screwing the Mulehyde to the plywood cutout.

I hope these photos help you to visualize how these 'windows' go together.

 

[reksat]

I just basically cut square holes out in the east and west sides of the coop and built frames for them and attached hinges and hardware cloth on the inside and so far they are working great. I prop them up with different size sticks depending on what the weather forcast is

 

[WoodlandWoman]

We bought cheap windows that are just a single pane of glass in a frame. We attached them with hinges and one of the typical window locks that twist closed. The small windows hang down when open. The really large windows open to the side. Those have a hook and eye to keep them open, so the wind doesn't blow them shut. Ours are mounted on the outside.

We framed in an opening sized for the window with 2x4s, so it would be sturdy and there would be a secure place to attach the window hardware. We did the same thing with the people and pop hole doors.

1/2" hardware cloth was attached with screws and washers to the window opening, so it can't be pulled or pushed out, like staples. Some people use a strip of wood over the wire instead of washers, then screw that down.

I've seen people use acrylic panels or plywood to close hardware cloth covered window openings, too. I like the glass in the winter when the chickens like to stay in some days, because of bad weather. It gives the coop a light and airy feel during the day, compared to using plywood.

 

[JellyBeanCee]

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Very clever. I like that idea...stealing it.

 

[schmism]

i put hardware cloth on the outside and put a reg window on the inside. that way you can open/close the window from the inside without having to worry about the cloth being in the way.