It’s not uncommon to have an old window or door lying around from your last remodel. Learn ways to reuse old windows and doors with upcycling projects, or by donating or disposing. It’s time to do something with that door that’s taking up space in the garage or attic!
Décor Upcycling Projects
Try your hand at creative DIY projects for doors or even something bigger: a beautiful greenhouse built from windows. What to do with windows? Remodel-aholic has a list of 100 Ways to Use Old Windows that span from shadow boxes to pot racks. These are great projects to start as a family or team up with a friend for.
Lead Safety
Older homes constructed prior to 1978 are likely to have lead-based paint, Energy Star warns. Lead-based paint can coat windows and sills, and doors and frames, among other areas in an old home. To check if your home (or an old window or door you’ve been storing) contains lead, you need a professional inspection that may involve paint samples.
Even lead dust can cause problems, so before working with vintage wood, consider getting it tested. Learn more about lead risks and how to assess paint you’re concerned may contain the toxic substance.
Donating Doors and windows
If DIY projects aren’t one of your interests, you can still put old windows and doors to good use by donating them. Energy Star recommends checking with your local Habitat for Humanity ReStore® to see if they receive windows and doors (for example, the King County Habitat for Humanity accepts only certain types of windows). But before you can donate, you will need to ensure that the doors and windows do not contain lead.
Disposing of Doors and Windows
Selecting a contractor to replace your windows or doors has one more added benefit—disposal of the old is also taken care of. We partner with a local service, Busby Junk Removal, to remove debris after installation is complete, so you don’t have to worry about cleanup or storing old doors or windows. But if you’ve recently done a replacement on your own, or you have an old door or a few windows in the garage that are taking up too much space, the King County Solid Waste Division has a handy tool on their website called, “What do I do with…?” Simply type in the item you want to get rid of, like doors, and the tool will provide more information on local recycling providers who can handle things like window glass and reusable building materials.
Upcycling Projects Using Old Windows
There are so many millions of things and projects to do with old windows that can help you reduce, reuse, recycle, and express yourself. Reusing old windows is the perfect Seattle hobby.
Upcycling Projects Using Old Doors
To find ideas on what to do with old doors, a quick Google or Pinterest search will yield you millions of ideas. You can find many new uses for old doors, and projects using old doors.
Ideas For Old Windows & Doors
With millions of potential projects, but here are the main categories for reusing old windows and doors.
- Repurposing. This is when you take old building materials, like an old window, and make it into something that it was not intended for, like using a window as a shelf or table top.
- Upcycling. Upcycling old windows is to create a product of higher quality or value than the original. Upcycled window frames can be sanded, painted, and repaired to look and function better than they originally had.
Where To Find Old Windows & Doors
If you’ve seen the millions of uses for old windows and doors, and have some old window crafts ideas, then your next step is to find your supply of old windows and doors. Here are seven places to get the supplies you need for your projects with old windows and doors.
- Garage sales
- Craigslist
- Facebook
- Market Place
- Free stuff pages
- Window & glass replacement companies
- Construction sites
- Curbs
- Antique shops
How Can We Help?
Have you started a replacement project that needs finishing? Maybe reusing old windows has made you realize that you could use some new windows, and you now need to kick off the project. We’re here to help. You can start by checking out our Window Types Guide for ideas, or by calling our team at 425-279-7547.
About Lake Washington Windows & Doors
Lake Washington Windows & Doors is a licensed general contractor specializing in replacement window products. Our service area extends throughout the Greater Seattle area, including Bellevue, Issaquah, Kent, Renton, Woodinville and more. The professional team at Lake Washington Windows has more than 100 combined years of window, door and siding experience, so you can rest assured that we can recommend the best solution for your home and budget.
(Image courtesy of uroburos via Pixabay.com)