If the window is vinyl it’s easy to replace the glass panel. The cost is about the same as buying a new window but you save the labor tremendously.
I am converting a laundry room to a half bath and I need to convert the window to privacy glass. I took the glass out and went to the window factory to make the panels. Cost is $60 vs about $100, in grand scale it’s not that much, but I saved a lot of labor cost.
I am lucky to have a windows factory nearby they can make any windows in a week where Home Depot takes several weeks.
The issue with the windows is that if I replaced the whole unit, I would probably have to bust the frames out of the stucco and then there is a lot of labor and stucco repair costs. If I kept the white frames and put in retrofit windows, it would reduce the stucco repair costs, but then there is a lot of trim work required on the interior (because I hate those white vinyl strips that the companies put in to cover the gap on the interior). If I can just replace the glass inside the vinyl frames, I should be OK. Not sure how it is going to work on the big sliding doors, they are huge
I was going to move the laundry into the hallway closet area just outside the master bedroom door. The buyer wanted a huge master closet in that area (bumping into kitchen area). We already framed that all in. And, we already finished all new laundry plumbing and electrical in the large garage. At this point, it is going to be crazy to try to pull the laundry into the house somewhere.
I took out all the kitchen cabinets and I am going to build a long set of cabinets with a nice countertop area surrounding the washer/dryer and put in a laundry sink. It’s the best I can do at this point. Otherwise, I would have to try to reconfigure the large hall bathroom to have laundry somehow, but that involves jack hammering out the floor and running new drain lines, etc. I thimk the cost is just too much at this point.
That makes sense. And if the no-longer-the-prospective buyer wanted it that way, then someone else will too. And it gives you more room inside the house.
Unfortunately it won’t be the best laundry location logistically- means carrying dirty/clean laundry past the kitchen, through the foyer, and across the family room to the garage. It does sound like a nice setup in the garage though - I’m a big fan of a laundry room sink, one thing we really miss.
I’d rather have more room inside the house with laundry in the garage. It’s not like I do laundry everyday.
In retrospect, there should be an agreement to allow the seller to received certain compensation at certain time. Money should be released by the Escrow without the signature of the buyer. It should not be labeled as “deposit” to avoid the clause in the standard CAR form. In my own listing, I always put in PRDS forms preferred, this form, unlike CAR Forms, allow Escrow to release deposit without buyer’s signature if the buyer breach the contract.
I had a CAR contract dragged out for several month because the buyer could not get finance and because he refused to sign any thing so he ended up getting his deposit back.
I feel sorry for the buyer, given her H has apparently significant health issues, and I think it is unfair to call her a PITA–wouldn’t you want everything the way YOU wanted it in that situation?–but I must say, selfishly, that it will be a lot more fun for us with CB having free rein! 
Regarding the windows: MCM is not an aesthetic that appeals to me, personally, but I do think that getting rid of the grids in this case is going to make a huge difference in the wow factor of the house that will pay off.
I don’t care for grids. What aesthetic are grids normally used with?
They make me think of New England-y Cape Cod-ish.
Grids, especially like the ones in these windows, scream contractor-grade vinyl windows popular from mid to late nineties and maybe Y2K here in my neck of the woods.
My New England colonial house has window grids everywhere but the kitchen and breakfast rooms. It fits the style of our house just fine…our windows are wood, not vinyl. Grids are not between the lanes, but on the inside of the window.
If the next owner doesn’t like them, the next owner can replace them. They are double pane, with argon between the panes, and UV glass. Very energy efficient.
My in-laws have those grids on the inside of the windows. They snap in and out to wash the windows. I thought you were talking about the cheap windows where they placed tape between the panes of glass to look like a grid. That type of window usually fails within a few years as the adhesive on the tape fails and the “grid” starts to droop.
Never seen in between panes tape grids. In windows like in CB’s, the grids are the same vinyl material as the one used in the frame and they stay put. But they don’t go well with the styles of homes usually found on the West Coast.
Found a whole web site of vintage MCM furniture and lighting, including this beauty:
http://www.thefabulousfind.ca/find-of-the-week-feb-8th-feb-14th-2012/005-19
I doubt that light is available any more since the posting was in 2012, but that piece is amazing. It would look great hanging over the courtyard.
And it was only $750!
We have grids, but they are wood and each page is separate. Mid-60s split level. Most of the windows are painted closed, unfortunately.
These are the type of grids I don’t like…white vinyl between the two panes of glass. If they were on top of the interior, I would be prying them off somehow:) these just scream 80s or 90s
I like the historically accurate wood ones with separate panes of glass, although they usually are single pane and need a lot of glazing maintenance.
I also do not ‘love’ full mid century modern. I probably won’t be able to take this 100percent all the way. There will be compromises along the way
@coralbrook I can’t tell…are the grids between the panes on your flip?
True divided lights with a single pane of glass are such a PITA.
I replaced all the windows in my house rather than deal with re-glazing and re-painting 200+ tiny panes of glass. Well, it wasn’t the only reason but certainly a major factor. No fake dividers either, just pure glass.
There are companies that make true divided light windows using small double panes of insulated glass and wood trim instead of glazing, but they are $$$
Thumper - if these are vinyl Milgard windows, you bet the grids are vinyl on the inside. Just sold a house with some of those windows.
I love MCM houses - with some twenty first century modifications.