A garden window? Think twice.
When we moved into this house nearly 30 years ago (where did all that time go??), we made some changes. It was built in the ’50s, so new windows were one of them.
I always preferred the casement style with the side hinges over the double hung because I loved its unobstructed view of the outdoors. So we did that, and I was never sorry about that choice.
But there’s one decision I would absolutely change: the garden window.
The laundry room faces south, and I was keen to get a garden window for that spot. This is the kind of window that juts out of the house, sort of a mini greenhouse. As my friends here might know, I love plants. So I thought, perfect!
You can see the window here in this shot taken last winter during a nature walk with my adorable granddaughter.
The contractor, Ken, who happens also to be a friend, shook his head.
“Don’t do it: They leak, they get moldy, they don’t last.” Did he say, “You’ll regret it”? Probably.
He tried really hard to change my mind, but despite his multiple warnings, I got my garden window anyway.
I guess you know where this is going. Ken, if you’re reading this, you were right!
In just a couple of years, the window started to develop mildew along the inside edges, and eventually made the whole room smell moldy. And to boot, it was too hot and sunny for any plants. It never actually leaked, but it looked awful, and I began to worry about health issues from mold, too.
I spent quite a bit of time and money on mold-killing products that had no effect. That effort was completely useless, and I started to use a curtain so I didn’t have to see it.
But everything comes with time, and last week, finally, we had WindowRama install a regular casement window in its place. (And despite that crazy name, WindowRama did an outstanding job on that and a few other windows, too.)
It was during that installation that I realized why it hadn’t leaked. As the window was being removed, I could see water stream out the front of it. The rainwater did indeed make its way in, but had been trapped inside.
I didn’t have my phone ready to capture that image, but I do have a photo of the cardboard on the ground that was nearly saturated as the window came off the wall.
When we had the WindowRama rep over, he appeared happy to hear we were not replacing the window with another garden window, and said there are often problems with them.
Why do garden windows fail? According to the website of the Brennan Corp., a remodeling company, there is the obvious reason: They are more exposed to the elements. From their website:
“. . . since garden windows protrude from your home's exterior walls, they can be more prone to issues than other windows.” For details on those issues and other info on garden windows, go here.
Live and learn! From now on, I’ll take the experts’ advice more seriously.
The casement window is beautiful. My aunt and uncle's place in Bethany Beach on the canal had a 'garden' window, with many plants that thrived. It was an indoor porch used as a d.r. for both our big families and we had many dinners there. It felt like being in a 'mini greenhouse.'
I always thought a window garden would be perfect since I have a very sunny window right over my kitchen sink. Even the people we bought the house from thought it'd be a good idea for me since my tiny piece of land is more flowers than house. So glad I didn't mostly because everything you experienced was what I feared would happen. (except that adorable grandchild--none of those.) Plus I know the greenhouse affect would be way too hot on a summer day for any plants let alone me. I use an Aero Garden and absolutely love it.