When you’re swapping out your old windows for newer, more efficient models, you might wonder what to do with the old sets. Don’t just stash them in the garage, taking up space. Instead, here are four suggestions on how to reuse your old windows.

4 Tips for Reusing Old Windows

1. Create a Greenhouse or Terrarium

Glass is the ideal material to filter sunlight directly onto your plants, whether inside your home or out. Use your old windows to create a greenhouse or small shed where you can place herbs, vegetables, and plants to thrive year-round. Or, if space is limited, consider making a small terrarium by combining two or three windows and placing the see-through structure near a window where it will get plenty of sunlight.

2. Donate to a Community Project

Look into whether your neighborhood has a building project nearby that creates housing for low-income individuals, like Habitat for Humanity. These organizations often accept building material donations like wood, roofing supplies, and windows, and will install them in new homes. 

3. Make Wall Art 

Today, many designers feature windows as decor in cozy-chic homes. You can emulate this look by repurposing the old windows to make decorative or functional features in your home. You can pick your favorite photos and place them on the glass panes with adhesive. Create a collage with small and larger images, or place the focus point on a few key images by placing one per pane. You could also paint the frames to add some extra color to match your interior decor.

Alternatively, you can use the window panes as whiteboards by writing on them with dry erase markers. You can write out a grocery list, leave notes to your family members, or create a schedule on the window, so everyone knows what’s going on that week. 

4. Recycle Them

Many recycling companies will accept windows, and some will even offer compensation for them. Bring your old set to a recycling facility where they will be reused, and you might make some cash in the process.

Homeowners who want to replace their windows should contact Timberline Windows & Doors in Anchorage, AK. This local company offers over 40 years of experience installing windows, patio doors, screens, and accessories. Call the Post Road-area general contractor at (907) 561-1734 or visit the website for information on how they can improve your energy efficiency.