Window shakers, air conditioners mounted in a window opening.  There are any number of reasons to replace these units and often you are left with a hole in the window.  The simplest solution I have found is to box the window in and make it a shelf unit.  The process isn't hard and it gets the job done fairly fast and relatively easy once the old AC unit has been removed.  Some of these things are REALLY HEAVY so get help when you take the unit out.

Normally the entire inside of the unit slides out the front.  In essence, the guts of the unit comes out via the front leaving the case in the window.  Once the unit has been removed from the case you can figure out all the creative ways the case is held in.  Depending on who installed the case, it can be a nightmare and a half to remove or it will basically just fall out.

Before you begin, remove the front cover, usually plastic.  If it doesn't just pop off, don't force it, look for screws that might be holding it.  With the front cover off grab the top edge of the unit, usually the vent area, and lifting up and pulling towards you, it should begin to slide out.  If it binds or isn't pulling reasonably freely, look for obstructions like weather stripping or something of that nature on the bottom side.  Once you have it moving towards you, continue pulling and the unit will clear the case and be out.  Remember to get help when doing this.  It can be done by one person but two makes it a LOT easier.

The top left corner shows the window AC that is going to be removed from this room.  It is not an overly large unit but the process remains the same.  Once the unit is out you can decide how you want to treat the window.  In my case, I am converting the window into a shelf unit.

The AC unit has been removed, the window opened up and boxed in with 2 x 6 pine stained with walnut stain.  This window happens to lead directly into my shop.

The backside of the window got some painted plywood applied and will be insulated and a similar treatment applied to the opposite side since it is in my shop.  The shelves are in and this will ultimately house more of my coffee cup collection.  It will get trimmed out with some edge treatment, yet to be decided, and the window will be complete.

This picture offers a little better view of the shelf unit.  The first two shelves from the bottom are 1 x 6's, the rest are 1 x 4's.  The gap surrounding the box itself is the window opening edges which will be covered by trim.  Down and dirty, simple and easy, this is a weekend project that will leave you plenty of time to spare for other things as well.

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Last update : 04-03-2007 16:13

Keywords : Home Improvement How to's, How to\'s, Window redos

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