How to Make Picture Windows

Your home will have lots of great natural lighting whenever there are large, unobstructed panes of glass within it.  This is something that you will get whenever you make a picture window for within your home.  Of course, you will also add an unobstructed view of the outside world.

Things You'll Need

• 2-by-8-inch lumber


• 1-by-2-inch lumber


• A miter saw


• A drill


• Treated deck screws


• A pin nailer


• Painter's caulk


• Silicone caulk


• Glass


• Glass points


• A chisel

1. Take both vertical and horizontal measurements of the inside of your window at both corners, as well as in the center. 


2. Have ¼-inch-thick glass cut 3¹⁄8 inches shorter and narrower than the opening.


3. Measure the top, bottom and sides of your window opening from inside to inside.  


4. Cut 2-by-8-inch lumber to fit each side of the opening.  Cut 45-degree miters on both ends of each of these boards to form an elongated trapezoid.


5. Place the four pieces into the opening.  Make sure that the miters’ long faces are facing the wall frame so that they will match up at the corners.


6. Attach the boards to the wall frame with 3-inch-long treated deck screws.  Place one every 8 inches to create your window frame.


7. Measure the inside of the frame.  Cut 1-by-2-inch lumber to fit therein.  You will need two pieces for the top, two pieces for the bottom and 2 pieces for each side of the frame.  Now you have the inner and outer stop frames. 


8. Align one bottom, one top and one 1-by-2 piece of wood on each side of your window frame.  Make sure that the long edges are flush with the frame’s outside edge. 


9. Use 2-inch nails to nail the pieces into place (place 1 nail every 4 inches).  This will be the outer stop.


10. Use painter’s caulk to caulk along the outside edges of the outer stop.  Make sure to smooth the caulk into the seams to create a good seal.


11. Place two suction cup glass handles onto the window glass and lock them into place.


12. Lift your glass into the window frame, placing it against the inside of the outer stop before pressing it into the silicone caulk.


13. Hold the glass upright and install four push-type metal glass points along each edge of the glass.  Caulk both the inside and the outside edges of the glass.


14. Install the inner stop pieces.  Caulk them into place just as you did before.