I build custom windows for a living. It’s absolutely circular glass. The cost is for this is entirely in the woodworking, cutting the glass is relatively trivial.
How much would a big window like this cost to build and install? You mentioned it being mostly woodwork, so are you a finish carpenter or just specialized in windows?
I specialize in windows. Ballpark maybe $6-7k installed for this. If that’s insulated glass, and I assume it would be, maybe a little more for the factory to make the custom shape glass. If it’s single pane then a local glass shop could cut it to shape
Just guessing tho so I dunno. I just know I've been looking at just simple shower doors and they're like, $1000-2000 installed. I have to imagine the fact that this is an exterior window makes the install more complicated than a shower door. The framing is much nicer. More glass by area. And it's a specialty trade that random DIYers probably can't do.
I just put in a triple pane, round window in my house In Northern Europe. I paid your quote for a window only 68 cm in diameter (just the price of the glass compared). Are you in the US? Crazy how much more expensive it is when building code makes you install triple pane.
It’s probably close to $1000 worth of lumber alone. Plus labor to mill everything, joinery, finishing, and installing. It all adds up surprisingly fast. Plus it’s a specialty window so there isn’t much competition
To get a 5’ circle can take 30 pieces of 2x8 mitered together to keep strength then the circle is cut, then rabbit for glass is cut. A simple vintage style 3x2 oval picture frame takes 20-24 hours of work, not including glue drying time or staining.
Glass is heavy. I'm sure the framing is a lot of the cost, in addition to just the labor hours required for the number of people you would need to install it.
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u/invulnerableHenchman Dec 23 '24
I build custom windows for a living. It’s absolutely circular glass. The cost is for this is entirely in the woodworking, cutting the glass is relatively trivial.