Installing a Window Unit in My Shop
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- Опубликовано: 7 сен 2024
- Here is a video showing how I had to cut a hole in an existing wall of my shop and framed it out in order to install a window unit. Having AC in a shop completely changes how I feel about summer so to me, it was 100% worth it.
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I am a 5th generation carpenter/contractor. I've had a very reputable business for over 40 years. I am the son of a structural engineer that primarily works with live loads. With that being said, I think you did a fantastic job
I am a 7th generation youtube comment reader. I've read over 100,000 comments ranging from international sports to underwater basket weaving. With that being said, I agree.
I'm sure it cools great As a appliance dealer for over 20 yrs I might point out that the unit is a window unit, designed to hang inside the building. Those holes you didn't like represent where the screws should attach to the studs. This assures the weight and balance point is somewhat supported by the sill. Sometimes if you look, there may be a notch on the other side of the AC unit to allow the cord to exit the other side. Finally I don't know if you addressed evaporated water, but don't allow unit to tilt inward. Rain on the outside should be able to run off...Most newer units don't utilize a drain like we used to do. The tray pan will have a depression near the rear fan to capture water..the fan will have a outer ring around the perimeter of the blades that have small scoops. This allows water to be thrown at the back condenser coil to remove heat and make the unit efficient.
Sorry if this sounds like criticism , but you don't need water running down the inside of your walls.
With your skills you will be able to frame around cabinet shell.
FYI true wall units come with a special cabinet that may include structure to support more weight on the outside..
Enjoy your vids,my wife does too,,,thanks for sharing.🌹👍
That was great info Mike, I see many people complaining about no drain hole and drilling a hole themselves NOT.. that goes to show a must read directions ...That process of the water fan scoop is in the manual. April videos Rock and your Info only enhances Her professionalism.
Actually. Because it has a sleeve, it's an in-wall AC, not a window AC.
@@hartunian It's a window unit.
I was very impressed that you choose to do everything the right way , rather than take shortcuts, like many people do...Bill,, retired carpenter
I have to say, this was an EXCELLENT video! When you started cutting into the wall I was thinking "oh, great- she's going to just hack out a hole and stick that big air conditioner in", but I was wrong. You took the time to do it right with a proper header and framing. But the best part was, you took us along on your learning process! It may have been more of a construction project than a woodworking project, but I think it was the best video you've made yet!
Haha : ) Thanks James I'm glad you liked it!
Stumpy Nubs Do you have any tips on installing ac in a woodworking shop? I just asked April for an update on how her window unit is doing in her shop.
intelligent capable confident woman are very attractrive.
Hi April, you asked for suggestions on how to make the project look better ... Here are my (very humble) two cents : I would have let the AC come out the wall by an inch or two, and would definitely install a simple trim .... Thanks for your videos, I enjoyed this one and always learn something new , I guess that's why we like to watch !!! I hope "you all" feel cooler in the shop !!! :-)
How to pretty it up? Traditionally in construction, we just put the beer fridge in front of it and artfully stack empty cans to cover the seams.
This may not look as nice but sounds like more fun.
You and your drinking buddies!
Best response award.
I live in central TX and I know working in a shop without AC in the summer is impossible. Awesome install!
April, you did a terrific job! I am a 30+ year renovations specialists and would hire you in a heartbeat! BTW my wife used to work on my jobs with me years ago. I love seeing women getting in the carpentry trade. Women are easier to teach, remember better, are more focused on the details and in most cases much better finishers than men. Great job!!
Actually well put, maybe not the nagging part, but I agree in general. If you want to be somewhere doing something - ANYTHING - you will pay attention and give it everything. If you don't want to be there, you will never really be there in the first place, and it will show in your work.
Sounds like something you tell women while trying to pick up on them. You do realize that this video is somewhat pretend?
Good job, nice to see you are wanting to take on these tasks. The material on the outside of the shed after the 1/2'plywood is a product called "Hardie Board Siding'' . It maybe called differently in the USA. It is resistant to insects, fire, rot, and harsh weather.
Great job! I wouldn't worry about the look of it. It might bug you for awhile, but that will pass when you dig into another project. My only comment is it never hurts to use some construction adhesive on framing projects... between layers of header, between king & jack studs, etc.
April,
I did the same thing in my shop. Trimmed it out with standard window/door casing mitred in the corners. Don't forget to add a filter. I just cutdown a similar sized house a/c filter closing and stiffening the cut sides with foil a/c tape. You can then hold the filter in place with almost any type of tape. I actually fabricated a aluminum frame using 3/4" "u" channel. The cut down filter just a slides in from the top. The cooling coil is a sawdust magnet so use a good filter, not the cheaper blue fiberglass ones. I use 3M filtrete style filters. Good luck. Best addition to the shop I ever made.
Nice Job April. As a victim of having my garage broken into by way of shoving the AC unit into the garage, I agree with the other person's comment about bolting the AC to the frame. Fortunately, my security system worked and I just had to replace the unit.....and that sucker won't budge.
I just bought a 24,500 and planning on mounting it in a stud wall. Two things I would suggest, as anything larger than a 12, k unit can get heavy and due to vibration can over time weaken construction. Double up jack studs, using gorilla glue, apply liberally to joined surfaces. Double up sill and double up crippling at outside points where they meet jacks.
Flashing the stud, sill and header faces with easily formed aluminum. Trimming the exterior with Azak, caulking and if applicable, j molding.
By not inserting the a/c sleeve as far, would enable trimming the interior with room appropriate clam, colonial or plain 1 x trim.
Otherwise, your video was extremely well executed and helpful.
Excellent build. For prettying up, I'd suggest taking off the osb first and using expanding foam in the cavity to seal around the cage to stop any extra drafts from the outside, then put the osb back up and make a frame with a tight fitting removable shutter on it. That way in the winter you can seal yourself back in. You could also have your French cleat system on or across the shutter so you don't lose all the wall space. Of course that could turn in to a P.I.T.A. if you had to take it on and off every time!!
Wish we could get AC in my shed in the UK sometimes. Very envious.
I'm sure you've probably already, as you said, prettied up your A/C unit, but just in case you didn't, here's an idea. In my shop I put in a 8,000 btu unit, and I cut a hole in the wall, just like you. On the inside, I picture framed it, but I used all scrap wood. Not one piece was the same kind of wood. As long as it was a 3/4" board,and I had 4" in width, I used it. If I recall, one piece was pine, one birch, one maple, and one was oak. I let my daughter experiment with paint for the first time, and she had a ball. Not one piece looked the same, but I didn't care. She was 10 at the time, and she was so proud of her work how could I say no. With just some old latex paints I had, she mixed every color I had, on every strip of wood. It looks really good, believe it or not. All the materials used, were pretty much free, but time spent with your kids is priceless. Take Care!!
Great job April !!! It's all about learning new things, making a plan and then pulling the trigger. Great video! Let us know how hot it is outside versus how cool it is in your woodshop :)
I like that you aren't just making videos about stuff you do. You are obviously learning the right way and then sharing what you learn with your audience. I too was afraid you might just hack through framing members and hang the AC in there (most guys I've seen would do that). Thanks for clearly explaining exactly why and how to rebuild the structure properly...that's VERY important! Did you support the unit on the outside as well? Great job!!!
Thanks for your video. I installed an a/c in my garage recently and had a good idea of how to go about it, but wanted to see a few videos for pointers before I started. Your was the only video that was helpful.
I did almost the same thing at my vacation home, only you did a much better job than I did. I used some door casing material and cut them at 45 angles and built like a picture frame around the AC. Also make sure it tilts a little bit away from your house so the condensation runs away from the wood. It will make a lot of condensation in the summer in Texas. Just found your channel and am new subscriber. thanks, rob.
Awesome! Love it. I'm building a business in my shed (shed-to-office space) so I need to add an extra small a.c. window unit in the attic area and I am just about to cut through the wall since there are no windows up there. Thank you so much for the info. I had no idea how to even start to make a cut. I have a paddle bit and everything else you used, so let's do this. These videos are timeless...
Sounds great! Enjoy the process. Thanks for watching.
Gotta put an ac in my shop wall, too. My window is just a bit too small for any window unit, so I'm gonna do basically what you just did. Thanks for the tips.
Great job April!
Thanks John, I actually used something I learned from you. When I was thinking about how I was going to cut the hole in the wall, I thought back to you using that jigsaw and just plunging it in...I figured I could do the same with my circular saw and sure enough, it worked like a champ. : ) I also tried your one handed nail/hammer trick (just for fun) but edited it out because it was so bad. haha.
As an EE the National Electric Code says the wall and the attic are plenums so you can run the cord inside the wall you just can't have the outlet or plug in the wall. Go to a garage sale and cover the AC up with a large picture of a snow scene cutting the AC opening out. And watch one of my videos to see how I hang tools behind me would love to see you do that project you'll probably do something I never thought of. Very impressed with your work BTW and keep going!!! Cheers Dave
Great Job!.....I did the same thing, (installed a window AC unit), in the wall of my old shop, (was very hot in summer also), and what a difference it made finally nice and cool!....I also added a 220 volt electric heater, (hung from the ceiling), for heat in the winter, that worked great also...(my old shop was also fully insulated and Drywall on the inside to, which helped a lot also).....Enjoy your now cooler shop!...later, Tim....
To pretty the a/c unit up: If you plan to either paint or sheet rock over the ply board , I would say to buy one sheet of FRP panel which is used basically in a kitchen / bathroom on the walls and comes in 4 x 8 sheets you can stand one up cut out for the A/C unit and glue it to the ply board use the trim pieces they make for FRP panels and nicely trim out the A/C unit as well as the outer edges of the FRP panel which will do very nicely for making that one area lok amazing ( pretty) as well as easy to clean as it just wipes off with damp rag and also if the a/c unit leaks or drips water it will shed the water and just cleans up so nice. Looking good no matter what you decide.
I'm planning to do the same thing in my garage next summer ($$$ permitting), and like you I was planning in my brain to go the surgical method with my cuts. After watching this I now realize I'll need to open the wall like you did. Thanks for sharing!
After actually doing this project, I honestly don't understand how the surgical method works. I don't get how framers snake the jack and cripple studs down into the wall. If you open it up like me, if you don't drill the holes in the corners like I did, then you can reuse the same boards you cut down in the beginning, at the end when you patch up the wall. Just something I would do different, looking back on it.
April Wilkerson most of the jackstuds in the surgical method don't go all the way to the floor. They screw them to the king studs. Not.as.strong but should be fine for an a/c "hole".
picture frame around ,simple and beautiful
Wow! I was so impressed April. I've never seen a girl know how to do those type of things. You did a great job. To make it look a little better, you might could put some pine boards around the air conditioner as trim. Great job!
Good job. I have a/c in my 30x50 insulated pole building workshop. The upside is I get more work done in the blistering summer months. The downside is it's definitely noticeable on the electric bill. Sure beats swatting flies and sweating when trying to do good work.
So cool to see you dig in this project ! thank you !
You did a excellent job. I have seen builders not take the time to support the header properly. If you want a smooth wall again without having to replace the wood. You can fill and sand the seams then paint. Like you would for drywall. But it is a shop! Your choice on what you want to spend your time on.. Thanks for sharing.
Anytime you cut out a section of a wall try and go back with a full piece of board with just the cut out you need. In you're case the replacement board would just have the A/C opening. Great job and video!
just ran across your channel by accident lol, the only thing i would have done different is got a new sheet of osb and cut a hole the right size for the A/C and put the whole piece up instead of all the small pieces on the inside, then trimmed around with window trim. awesome to see a lady doing stuff like this!
If it hasn't already been said, theres two studs together because that's where two sections of the wall are joined. Nice job with the bracing.
Nicely done, Trim it out on the inside like a picture frame. If you had some trim coil, ( painted flashing ) you could make a 3/4 bend on a 24" x 4 1/2" and line the rough opening before unit is installed. This seals the outside. Short bends 16" and 24" can be done on the bench with clamps. and mitered 1 x 4.
You did a great job April. I have been following your channel for awhile now and i am just catching up on your older videos. XOXO
Thank you so much!
First let me say "What Stumpy Said" As to dressing it up. You can take the cut up OSB back down and go back with a new sheet with just the hole for the AC unit. Then just some simple 1"x to your taste for a picture trim around the unit. As for the front of the AC unit I am guessing is gone but not forgotten. That my dear could be a real wood working project. Directional vents and a moving grid so you can clean the saw dust from the AC filter. Can't wait to watch that one. Love your work. Keep it up. Can't wait for you to tell us this is your full time job.
To "Finish it". you could remove the boards from the left hand seem over and replace with a whole sheet of OBS with a hole cut to fit the AC unit. Trim the unit with 1"x3"s. It's a matter of budget vs. "How much does it bother you". Great stuff.
Thanks for the video. I appreciate seeing how you did it before I attempt this.
Very proper... I think to hide it, you should putty, paint, reinstall shelving and then frame that unit like a work of art. Great vid...
April, if you wanted to " Pretty it up" maybe you could make a louvered cover to go over it. You might be able to make louvers from ripping them from a 2x4. Then make a frame for them with 2x2s.. Maybe? You do great work!
I don't know the regs/codes but to be safe from overheating cables I would run a loop off the mains and place a plug socket/power outlet next to the AC and cable tie loosely (I've seen cable ties cut into insulation before) the AC power cord into a coil to keep it out the way and just plug it in. And like everyone says one sheet OSB with a frame would look tidy.
Great video keep them coming
From the UK
Great install. Most people would be afraid to even tear into a wall. Your excessive planning and attention to detail made the install that much better.
Thanks Drew. : )
For what its worth, so proud and happy to see your growth during this past few years! Highly inspirational, a true example of what America offers to those that work , versus those that blame and feel entitled to what that haven`t earned. Very best to you, and EVERYONE else who likes to EARN their supper... as my granddad used to say.
Thanks! I'm glad you enjoy my channel. Thanks for watching.
You go girl! Don't worry about PRETTY. It's a shop. This job is more professional than most men do it. Kudos.
Very well done April !!! Like Stumpy Nubs below me, I thought you were just going to cut a hold in the wall .... You did a great job.
This is how I corrected the botched job in my garage it had wafer board just like you have there an if you sand the slick finish off of it you can use drywall mud an paint do not spend the money to drywall no need too drywall mud an paint that simple mine has held up fine an looks good an I have OCD good luck an great job!!!
Cool build (sorry for the pun). You are so knowledgeable, I was impressed with this video. Your other video have been wonderful, but this is your best one yet. Thank you for sharing your time and skills. No need to reply. Just make more saw dust.
Good job April , do not let hesitation get in the way tackle the job at hand, I bet your happy working in a cool shop in that hot Texas heat. as far as prettying the a/c unit up, I would paint it black at least the face, and build a frame with louvers, just a thought.
I would cut out a large piece of particle board the same size as the hole, then cut another hole for the unit. You will still have a couple seams, but it would look a lot better having one large board to fill that gap than 6 various sized boards.
Very thorough instal! It's always nice to have a window unit in a wall rather than rendering an existing window useless. It's also much more insulated this way.
My shop has OSB walls like yours. I caulked the seams, primed it with KILZ, then gave it two coats of gloss white enamel. I have a sprayer, which made painting much easier ... the OSB really soaks up the paint.
April, you are my hero. I grew up with a very assertive mother . Unfortunately, in as much as I tried, I have not been able to pass this independence to my two daughters (grand ma was in another state and not part of their upbringing).
I will surely show them this video so at least they know that it is up to them to do something, not the World. Thanks.
Nice, I have one i am storing and I am going to put it in my shop now. You could hide the patchwork by building a frame to cover and have louvers across to direct airflow. Louvers wide enough to still get your hand through to the controls. Or something decorative like a marquetry frame.
To pretty it back up, get a sheet of osb and cut the hole for the ac in it, that way it will match the wall better and won't be a bunch of small pieces. Other than that it would be trimmed if it was in the house. Out there it looks fine. I'd just trim it out with the French cleats. Use long ones and you can hide all the smaller pieces, add rigidity back, and cover most with the tools that will hang there.
Man your cute ! Your husband is a lucky man . I love your video's nice job - Your very good when it comes to detail . It's very nice to see lady's that are really in to to wood working - I lovebyour shop nice set up .
you did a very good job. if you get 1x4 and picture frame it or just get some decratve base mold and frame it will help with the look
Yay no more swamp butt in the shop... Good job, will be very helpful to what I'm doing right now.
You could make a cubby hole shelve that wraps the AC unit once painted up all the patch work is hidden and you get some free storage over an eye sore. make it a french cleat and should you change your mind easily removed. Good luck
Good use of the Kreg jig. I just got one and still working out what it's good for.
Oh they are wonderful. I use my jig in almost every project. You can check out my other projects but I know Jay Bates has an entire playlist of videos put together of projects he has used the jig on. Might be worth checking out to get some ideas.
it is wonderful job. the frame work you did for the support is great.
Great Job!
I think if a hurricane or tornado came, the AC and surrounding area wouldn't have a problem withstanding. lol
haha, : ) Thanks.
I was thinking same thing. that's the toughest part of the property now. i pictured heavy winds blowing everything away except for that spot. and being huddled under it.
This was very helpful. I'm doing the same in my shed. Thank you.
Awesome! Glad it was helpful. Thanks for watching.
good job April. To pretty it up I'd trim around the AC unit and give look of AC unit displayed in a picture frame, not to mention go nutz with some funky or classic color. Sky is the limit ;)
I'd "pretty it up" with a new 4x8 sheet of OSB. You might also want to bring a new outlet into easier reach of the "window shaker". While an extension cord may be tempting to use, I've been told that they are unsafe to use with things that draw as much current as an A/C unit. You could replace the cord with a longer one, but check with an electrician first because you may need a cord with thicker copper. You still may want to use strapping to keep the cord out of the way, and it looks better.
definitely the super proper way to do it, great job. I would have been tempted to do a sill / cripple on the bottom and just skipped the jackstuds. But your way is 100%. Respect!
i would add a fan shaped cover of cedar shingles on a frame about 2 inches from the wall. Looks great and the aroma they give off is awesome.....like Christmas in August!!! Cheap and totally replaceable....bug free and just frakin' awesome.
Thank you so much for showing the video of how to do the framing and really helpful to know what jack stud is.
I really like the way you took the time to do a proper install. I have seen too many people just cut a hole in the wall and shove the air-conditioner in place. Nice professional job April.
You're living the good life! You have a shop with AC and half naked men all over :P
First off...your channel is great! I found it a few months back. Finally subscribed! I've never subscribed to a channel before but too many ideas on here to not subscribe! I'm putting in a tinker shop this spring and have loads of ideas from your channel. I hope as you build your new shop you cover heating and cooling it so I can get some more great ideas!
Personally I would not worry about the appearence of the finished wall. It is a workshop not a sitting room. But if it is an issue for you, just buy a sheet and cut to size and carfully position the air con cut out and it will look more finished. I hope you remembered to give the housing a degree or two of fall away from the building to allow condensation to run away from the structure and not back onto/into the wall. You just need about 1/8 of a bubble fall. It is such a small amount of fall it won't look like it is falling out of the wall. All the best.
You can take automotive bondo and mix it up like you would mudding compound and smooth out the joints and paint the walls of you shop. Don't put a lot of harder in the bondo otherwise it will sand like crap. When we hung osb in out shop we did this to the joints before we painted the walls.
I will add a frame ( maybe depth of 1inch) to be able to put in a cheap furnace air filter (2' x 2') with that your AC radiator will not pack itself with dust, the same frame can also be used to build an isolated plug for the winter ( if you have winter lol)
great little video, a little tip on screwing 2 pieces of lumber together, always drill a clearance hole before screwing together, i build bowling centers around the world and you know how well those stand up
Thank You April! I was looking for a simple video to explain the process of framing out a hole for a new window in my chicken coop. Now after watching your video I feel reasonably knowledgeable to begin the job! TY
April you are pretty and intelligent. Made that project look like a piece of cake. Good work. Keep posting your good work.
I would not cover the AC unit cause it gives you bragging rights! Well done. You can still install flashing and supports whenever you wish.
April, you should be able to pull the air conditioner into the shop a couple of inches or so, so you can trim around the housing, but leave the cover proud of the trim so the cover can be easily removed to change and or clean the filter. which will need doing a lot, and make sure the unit won't drain into the wall cavity. It should be slanted back and down so water drips from as far as possible away from the shop siding. I would have used ice and water shield on the sill at least. Good job!
Thanks for all the tips! I did slant it back just slightly so that moisture will run off. : )
Just make a small frame with some black metal screening over the larger vent on the bottom. It's not the worse install for an A/C window I ever seen. Good job on the King stud. I've seen people skip that step on a load bearing wall, lol.
Cut some 1/4 inch plywood strips 1/2inch wide and glue to the edge of the chip board. Then use regular window trim for the 2 sides and top. then take a 1x2 and notch out a 1/2x1/2inch piece off one end so it will slip over the bottom piece of chip board making a fake widow sill finish with a piece of regular window trim below that for looks and it will look like a window!
Good job. I would pick up a new piece of wafer board to cover the whole area and then cut a hole in it for the A/C unit. It will then be easy to trim it out.
The most important part is adding some kind of flashing outside to keep water from going between the unit housing and the outside wall surface. Otherwise you will get rot and even termites!
after you got the header and sill installed, I would have gotten a new piece of OSB and cut a hole that matches the AC perfectly. Cut out more wall so that you can slide the whole piece in place. Doing this would have to be vertical on the wall but still better than little piece.
Did a good job on the install. I have AC in my shop and I love it. A tip to make the AC last longer in a woodworking shop environment is get a furnace filter that wil cover the air intake, this way the fine dust don't get into the cooling fins.
Nice install April, I'm sure you will like the cool air.
Good job! Especially with the tools. Some people can't even plug up a TV without stressing out.
Great Job. You really should put some window flashing around the outside cutout or you will get rain water and condensation from the unit into the wall which will cause the wall to rot out and grow mold.
April I would use simple drywall duribond and skim all of the seams twice, then sand down smoothly and paint the wall problem solved no seams and a nice pretty wall the color of your choice. Oh and add some trim around the ac unit.
Oh forgot to mention that I love your french cleat system. Several places outside my shop I am going to use them. Mainly planning out a custom closet system using the for my master bedroom.
To pretty that up remove all the patchwork pieces, around the A/C unit, and replace them with a single sheet with a hole cut for the unit. Then use some nice looking boards to build a picture frame around it. Try different widths till you find a size that looks balanced. Then miter the corners at 45 degrees so it all fits up tight against the A/C unit with no gaps. Also find the model number and manufacturer of the unit and see if you can find a replacement front panel. If the manufacturer doesn't have one, look up A-1 appliance parts in Huntsville Alabama and ask them. I hope that helps :-)
It will be fine once you start putting things back on the wall. Great job, Thanks
I'm doing this tomorrow so thanks alot. I think this is a GREAT video and well explained. Taking notes.
Me only a little 6000 btu.
Glad it was helpful!
Very good video. Another video of in-the-wall installation showed that exterior vents on the air conditioner unit were partially blocked by the wall, which will decrease efficiency. In such a case, a larger hole might be required to allow sir into the vents, (Comments on his video were disabled, for good reason).
You can bring the unit into the shop causing a reveal. Then With the table saw and the router you can make custom trim to fit around the unit.
Well done April. Looks very stable. The next thing may be to paint all the walls white so it will feel much more comfortable to work in.
to cover it up you should use gypsum board aka drywall, sheetrock. good build im thinking about doing this myself. if you try drywall good luck and have fun!
we did this once it worked fine but it cost a bit. if you mix drywall mudding with paint you can spread over the whole wall to seal it.
Done like a pro. I can see you doing something functional/artistic to hide the seams. I personally would use either wood filler or drywall spackle to hide the seams and then you can just paint it April style.
I told my wife i am in love with you!!!!!
seriously, you did a great job!!!!!!
just make sure to clean the aluminuim wings, there is so much dust in a workshop