If you’re building or renovating your garden shed, installing a window can make a huge difference in brightening up the interior A shed window provides natural sunlight, ventilation and a view of your beautiful backyard But choosing and installing a shed window takes some careful planning. Don’t worry – I’m here to walk you through the process, from selecting the right window to framing the rough opening. By the end, you’ll have the know-how to make a garden shed window that’s both functional and stylish.
Choosing the Right Shed Window
The first step is picking out a window that fits your needs. Here are the key factors to consider:
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Size – Measure the wall space where you want the window. Opt for a window that fills most of the width and height. Standard shed window sizes include 2×2 ft, 2×3 ft, 3×2 ft and 3×3 ft. Just don’t go too big – you still need wall space on the edges.
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Style – Sliding, double-hung, awning or casement? The style controls how the window opens. Double-hung and sliding windows are good basic choices that provide ventilation.
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Material – Vinyl wood or fiberglass? Vinyl is low-maintenance, wood has a classic look and fiberglass is durable and energy-efficient.
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Glass – Single pane lets in light while double pane has extra insulation. Low-E coated glass further reduces UV rays and heat transfer.
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Trim – Prefinished trim makes installation easier, Or go trimless for a minimalist aesthetic,
Once you select the right window, it’s time to start prepping the opening.
Preparing the Window Opening
Properly framing the rough opening ensures your window will fit snugly and function properly. Follow these key steps:
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Measure twice – Confirm the window’s exact width and height. Mark these dimensions on the shed wall with pencil.
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Frame it out – Using 2×4 lumber, construct a frame for the rough opening inside the marks.
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Flash it – Install building wrap or flashing around the edges to seal air gaps. This prevents moisture damage.
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Finish the framing – Add header and sill supports. Use galvanized framing nails to reinforce connections.
Now you have a solid framework ready for installing the window.
Putting in the Window
With the prep work done, it’s time for the fun part – putting in the actual window. I’ll walk you through it:
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Apply caulk – Run a bead of silicone caulk along the backside of the window flanges. This seals the window edges.
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Insert window – Set the window into the rough opening. Center it within the framing.
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Shim as needed – If there are gaps, use shims between the frame and window to make it plumb and square.
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Secure window – Drill pilot holes and use exterior screws to secure through the flanges into the framing. Don’t overtighten.
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Insulate gaps – Fill the spaces between the frame and rough opening with minimally expanding foam. This insulates and prevents air leaks.
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Caulk exterior – Run a final bead of caulk between the exterior flanges and the shed wall. Smooth with a finger.
That’s the basic installation process. Now just add trim, hardware and any final touches. Soon you’ll be enjoying your handcrafted shed window!
Adding the Finishing Touches
The window is mounted, but a few finishing steps will complete the project:
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Install exterior trim – For protection and a polished look, nail prefinished boards around the exterior window.
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Add hardware – Mount a latch, pulls or locks so the window operates smoothly. Include insect screens too.
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Seal interior gaps – Use caulk and insulation so heat and cold don’t penetrate the interior wall space.
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Paint or stain – Finish the raw wood edges of the interior opening and trim with paint or stain to match your shed’s style.
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Dress it up – Add charming curtains or blinds, window boxes, shutters or other decorative flourishes.
Take time to properly complete these final details. Soon you’ll have an attractive, fully-functional DIY shed window flooding your space with natural light.
Maintaining Your New Shed Window
Your custom shed window is built to last. But like any project, it requires occasional upkeep and care:
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Inspect seals – Check the caulk and gaps yearly. Reapply new caulk if cracked or dried out to prevent moisture intrusions.
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Clean the glass – Use a vinegar solution for hard water spots. Glass cleaner works on greasy buildup. Avoid abrasive cleaners that could scratch.
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Clear debris – Frequently remove dirt, leaves and other debris that accumulate in the window well or tracks.
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Protect the sill – Seal or paint the sill to guard against moisture damage, which can cause wood rot over time.
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Lubricate – Keep hinges, rollers and moving parts lubricated so the window operates smoothly.
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Watch for leaks, fogging & drafts – These can indicate air leaks, failed seals or insulation gaps that need resealing.
With periodic maintenance and care, your handcrafted shed window will provide charm and functionality for years to come. Enjoy the makeover!
Videos in the Series
The FHB Podcast crew takes a closer look at an interesting roof.
They talk about why they chose mineral-wool batts and high-density boards for all of their insulation needs in the 2018 Fine Homebuilding House.
Tack the windows in place with screws before you check for level and permanently fasten them
When you make your own windows, you can make them just the right size to fit between the posts of your timber-frame shed. We got ours at a local lumber yard for a very low price. We need to shimming on both sides of the opening, so we just cut down some 2x4s. Before the windows are put in, you’ll need to go in and out of the shed to make sure the reveals and alignment are correct. That’s why now is a good time to cut the girt and sill out of the doorway.
I’m not going to bother with flashing tape on the nail flanges. Since this shed isn’t a home and doesn’t have a weather barrier like housewrap or felt paper, I’m making it easier for us to put in windows. I will only use a few pan-head screws to hold each window in place for now. I will then check to make sure they are level and plumb, and then finish attaching them.
Before putting trim in between several windows on a wall, make sure the spaces between them are nice and even. That way, you won’t have to make any tapered rip cuts to get the trim to fit. Before I put in all the screws, I’m just making sure everything is level and fixing the windows. With all seven windows in place, it’s time to move on to the door.
There won’t be a threshold on our door. This is because I’m not trying to keep drafts out of the shed, and it’s easier to sweep out our door without one. For now, though, I need to make sure that the door slab and the bottom of the jamb legs are sealed. Then I just tip the door into place and use some shims to hold it in place for now. I then go outside and adjust the door so it sticks out ¾-in. from the frame, which will make it level with the board siding that will follow.
I use long screws to attach the jamb to the framing. Then I adjust the screws as needed to make the jamb straight and level. Finally, I put in shims to make sure everything stays where it is.
We need to add furring strips to the bottom half of the building so that the thin siding and trim at the base will line up with the thicker board-and-batten above. A sill that goes around the whole shed will be the line between these two types of siding.
I’m spacing the top of my furring strips down 2-1/8-in. from the top of the girt that runs around the entire building. That’s because I’m going to put a sill extension in that space. That extension is going to sit right on top of the furring strips.
I won’t slide my furring strips all the way to the corner of the building. I want to slide them in far enough that I can still fasten my corner boards and leave an edge showing for nailing on my clapboards.
I use a short place-holder block to help line up each of my sill extensions with its matching piece. This makes sure that the mitered corners line up correctly. Then I fasten it to the vertical furring strips below. Once the sill is fitted and fastened on both gables, fill in with a longer piece. As soon as all the pieces are in place, I’ll go back and screw each mitered corner.
For the clapboards, I furred out the lower part of the frame. Now I need to furr out the upper trim boards to match the battens in the board-and-batten siding.
That does it for the furring; the next episode will cover trim and siding.
How to Install a Shed Window (Step-by-Step DIY Guide)
FAQ
Can you make a window in a shed?
What to use for shed windows?
Do I need a header for a shed window?
Does this window build fit all shed designs?
This window build fits all shed designs, check out our shed plans! First, determine the exact size of the window opening you want before starting the wall frame build. Some standard size comes in 18″ x 23″ or 18″ x 27″, you can find these at almost any hardware stores.
How do I make shed windows?
To make shed windows, there are several considerations to keep in mind. Firstly, choose the type of timber for the window frames, with redwood dip-treated against decay or pressure-treated construction timber being common choices. The recommended size for shed window frames is 45x45mm for the top and sides, and 95x45mm for the window sill.
Should I make shed window frames?
Making shed window frames can sometimes be the only option. It may be that you need to replace some old garden shed window frames and can’t find the right size or it may be that you are building a new shed and just fancy building your own window frames for a challenge.
What material should a garden shed window frame be made from?
2.0 Garden shed window frame materials. One of the first choices you will have to make concerning your windows will be what sort of material you want your window frames to be made from. The three main material choices for the window frame construction are: wood, PVC and metal. Each of these materials have their own individual characteristics:
How do I choose a garden shed window?
The window location may be governed by a required view out of the shed across the garden, or by the requirement for plenty of light to warm young seedlings and encourage them to grow. The requirement for good air flow is often a factor in new garden shed window selection.
Should you make your own shed windows?
Making your own shed windows gives you the opportunity to save money whilst also gaining an appreciation of the details that go into window construction, as well as the huge sense of satisfaction of making something that will work well for many years. The details that we need to consider are: 1. What type of timber to use for the shed window frame