So, this is what one of my Heritage bay windows has looked like for the past few weeks.
The acetate in the windows had yellowed badly over the years and needed to be replaced, but I couldn't get the windows out so I could just pry the frames apart and insert fresh acetate panels.
I've read over several Heritage builders' blogs and one mentioned that although the windows are meant to open and close, it's next to impossible to install them so they will, so just glue them in place and forget about opening them.
I found this to be true when I was building the house also, so I made some windows closed and some open.
While prying out the bay I discovered that the house had become unglued from the base, so I resecured it with glue and several strategically placed wooden blocks.
Once the pieces were apart I was able to measure and cut out new ones.
Since the original parts were punched out of thin, brittle plywood, I had to make a few design adjustments, using 1/8" thick basswood.
Things were going comparitively well till I got to the acetate.
I found 6"x6" acetate sheets at the craft store, and decided to try and use a white oil marker to paint on the muntins. The first pane looked ok, but after that the marker would sometimes just spurt out a blob of white paint so I switched to pinstriping tape.
Next I tackled the interior window frames.
In the end, this is what worked best for me.
I wound up using a combination of bass stripwood and glued together layers of cardstock.
I used Grandmother Stover's Stick Flat Glue to glue the cardstock layers together. Now that I'm writing this, I can't remember for sure if it was 4 layers of cardstock or three, which is why I made this instruction sheet for myself, so I have something to remind myself of how I'm supposed to do this.
The reason I mixed two mediums is because I discovered I can't cut in straight lines to save my soul, deciding it was worth the money it cost to buy the right dimension basswood than ruin a mess of basswood and glued cardstock.
For anyone reading this, you're welcome to print this diagram if you think it'll help you.
Here's a finished exterior window panel.
and the interior side
Once the panels are inserted into the corner moldings I'll be able to tidy the look up with trim molding and maybe a window sill, however the original windows had no sills.
Next I'll be finishing the other two windows of this bay, and I'll have to tackle the French door window above so I can put the bay back into place.
Then I guess I'll have to do the bay on the front of the house......sigh.
