Texas Hunting Forum

Window Openings

Posted By: Sick Train

Window Openings - 10/08/19 03:36 PM

Planning on building a couple of 6x6 blinds about 6' off the ground. What size window openings do you guys recommend? I'd like to use actual windows of some sort that when closed are pretty sealed up to keep outdoor insects out. I found some 12"x30" windows that slide open which gives about a 12" opening for about $25 from the local hardware store. They also have a 24"x24" slider for a few bucks more.
Posted By: PMK

Re: Window Openings - 10/08/19 05:15 PM

the wider the better in my opinion. 12" sounds pretty narrow to me depending on what field of view you have.
Posted By: Texas buckeye

Re: Window Openings - 10/08/19 05:27 PM

I would do two 24 sliders on each side except the side with a door. 24x24 should give plenty of space to shoot a gun or a bow out of too.
Posted By: Sick Train

Re: Window Openings - 10/08/19 05:50 PM

Thanks. I like the idea of the 24x24 but was just worried that it would be too big of a window.
Posted By: Texas buckeye

Re: Window Openings - 10/08/19 06:44 PM

You can always fashion up some sort of shade for the window if you want, there's lot of examples out there and since this is a DIY, you can make a little rod above and belwo each window to hold the shades closed when you aren't using the window to help protect against silhouette

Lots of options there, including simple window tint
Posted By: Dalee7892

Re: Window Openings - 10/08/19 07:15 PM

I make my windows 12" high by 24" wide, full size. If I use a 12x24 slider I would obstruct the non movable glass so it would not silhouette you. Still have a visual site through it.
Posted By: Sick Train

Re: Window Openings - 10/08/19 08:16 PM

These slider windows are designed to mount horizontally, would there be any issues if I mounted them vertically so that I would have a 24” wide opening?
Posted By: Sick Train

Re: Window Openings - 10/09/19 03:15 PM

After some researching I found out that I they are built to be mounted a certain way so looks like I'll be using the 12x30 sliders. I'm considering using smart siding 4x8 sheets for the walls. Any of you guys used them on blinds? Other option is R panel over some OSB plywood to keep the woodpeckers from putting holes.
Posted By: PMK

Re: Window Openings - 10/09/19 10:22 PM

I have and/or built several using smart siding, works very well. I use 2x2 for wall and ceiling frame work, deck screws in smart siding, OSB on the roof covered with corrugated sheet metal slightly overlapping all the way around to form a drip ledge. 2x6 treated floor frame with 5/8 OSB floor. Then go by a carpet place to see if they have scrap carpet that they've removed from a home they did a new install. Very solid but also pretty heavy depending on size you are building. Solid enough to use the steel leg brackets to use 4x4 posts to elevate.

Personally, I would spend a little more money to get a wider window than 12"-15" opening. Check out a Habitat For Humanity to see if they have any for considerably cheaper. the windows in my 4x6 are 36 wide on the ends and 2x 24" on the front and 18" on the back on each side of the door. I can always leave one closed or covered to help prevent silhouette.
Posted By: Sick Train

Re: Window Openings - 10/10/19 01:18 PM

I thought about using 2x2 for the walls and roof but figured that spending a little extra on 2x4's would make it more solid. I plan on these blinds staying out there for many years and only want to repaint them as needed. Wouldn't treated plywood be better than OSB on the floor? I do plan on using those steel leg brackets on both blinds. I might even make them a little bigger so that I don't waste material. Thinking of 8x6 box with a 2' platform, door will be on the back side. I'm 6'4" so the bigger the better and there is usually two of us in the blind.
Posted By: PMK

Re: Window Openings - 10/10/19 03:40 PM

the 2x2 seem very structurally sound using the smart siding and deck screws. only reason I used the 2x2 was for reduced weight since I was putting up on a tower, even using a FEL it was pretty heavy getting to 10' floor height. OSB seems to work fine on the floor since it stays dry. I'm 6'3" and the 4x6 seems to work fine even with 2 people in it. I have another I built a few years back that is 6x6 that also works well (better) for 2 people. All of mine have 6'8" inside clear height.
Posted By: Sick Train

Re: Window Openings - 10/10/19 04:46 PM

Thanks for the help. I might give the 2x2's a try. Plans are to prefab it at home then take everything out there and install each wall one at a time with the roof being last.
Posted By: PMK

Re: Window Openings - 10/10/19 06:55 PM

that's how I set mine up. prefab each wall and floor ... then cut the roof to fit
Posted By: onlysmith&wesson

Re: Window Openings - 10/10/19 07:40 PM

Thin plywood, 5/16" untreated. Build your walls independent of each other. Wherever plywood is fastened to framing, use glue and finish nails. The roof is an over sized cap, screwed to the walls from the inside, roof material is corrugated plastic. Windows are from deerview, two custom lengths, two standard. Three coats of paint rolled on. Carry one wall at a time up tower and screw the whole thing together. Save your money for the windows, and the roof material. Walls and framing are cheap. 2 x 2" is fine, I use a combination with 2 x 4". [Linked Image]
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Posted By: onlysmith&wesson

Re: Window Openings - 10/10/19 07:43 PM

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I just finished this one recently. Windows hinge up, and out of the way. Sliders obstruct your shooting opening. Two windows are 48", two are 36" giving me a solid corner to sit against. With the windows open I have an unobstructed shooting field on all sides. Openings are 12" high.
Posted By: onlysmith&wesson

Re: Window Openings - 10/10/19 08:17 PM

Originally Posted by Sick Train
Thanks for the help. I might give the 2x2's a try. Plans are to prefab it at home then take everything out there and install each wall one at a time with the roof being last.

Consider one wall being last. Kinda tough heaving the roof up and over the walls. Last wall slides in on it's side then tilt it up.
Posted By: Dalee7892

Re: Window Openings - 10/10/19 10:21 PM

I built my blind a 4x4x6-8 prefab at home. On a 10 ft stand. Pulled the walls up with a rope, install 3 sides then pull up roof section lay on top of walls off set. Pull up last wall and secure to other walls slide roof over walls and secure. I did this by myself. Built with 2x2 and 1/2" plywood.
Posted By: onlysmith&wesson

Re: Window Openings - 10/10/19 11:22 PM

Originally Posted by Dalee7892
I built my blind a 4x4x6-8 prefab at home. On a 10 ft stand. Pulled the walls up with a rope, install 3 sides then pull up roof section lay on top of walls off set. Pull up last wall and secure to other walls slide roof over walls and secure. I did this by myself. Built with 2x2 and 1/2" plywood.

That works. For deer hunters this rings true, "Necessity is the Mother of Invention".
Posted By: Sick Train

Re: Window Openings - 10/12/19 05:57 PM

Thanks fellas. With the help of a fellow THF member I was able to get some windows from McCoys. Two different sizes, 24x11.5 and 36x11.5. Question on installing smart siding, can I use a framing nailer?
Posted By: onlysmith&wesson

Re: Window Openings - 10/13/19 12:14 PM

Originally Posted by Sick Train
Thanks fellas. With the help of a fellow THF member I was able to get some windows from McCoys. Two different sizes, 24x11.5 and 36x11.5. Question on installing smart siding, can I use a framing nailer?

Yes, ring nails.
Posted By: Sick Train

Re: Window Openings - 10/15/19 05:10 PM

Any of you guys use those folding brackets with some wood for a shooting rest inside your blind? I've used regular fixed brackets on our old blind but like the idea of being able to fold it down and out of the way. Just not sure how well they work.
Posted By: onlysmith&wesson

Re: Window Openings - 10/15/19 06:05 PM

I'd stay away from folding brackets. Use the largest diagonal cuts you can get by with in each corner. Just screw thick plywood directly to your framing. Scroll up and look at how I attached these under my windows. I have a very solid front and rear rest for shooting in any direction.


Posted By: Sick Train

Re: Window Openings - 10/22/19 01:20 PM

How do the large diagonal cuts work as a shooting rest? I need something in front of me to rest my AR10 on while sitting and waiting and used a 1x6 with metal brackets to help with that.
Posted By: onlysmith&wesson

Re: Window Openings - 10/22/19 01:50 PM

I want to be able to shoot 360°, I don't leave my rifle setting, it's typically in my lap or held vertically until I get on something. I can keep my chair in the center of my 54" blind without giving up any space to the wall where I'm sitting. (A 6" would take up 1') Screwing these to the frame from underneath corner to corner adds to the rigidity of the blind and they don't flex when I put my weight on them as a bracket may. I tried these out at home and have plenty of reach for a front and rear rest. Works for me. If your blind is 6' x 6' these may not work for you.
Posted By: QuitShootinYoungBucks

Re: Window Openings - 10/22/19 04:36 PM

I just finished building and putting this one out. It's 48" x 83 1/2". The 48" is to save on the roof, flooring, and ends by not needing more than one width of plywood. The 83 1/2 is two 12"x36" windows split by a 2x4 and cornered at the front by 2x4s (which we know are 3 1/2, so 36+36+3(3.5) = 83.5. I used 24" windows on the sides but probably should have used 36". I'll take interior pics next trip. Base is treated 2x6 with 3/4" plywood. Most of the other supports are ripped 2x4s to save lumber and weight. Corners are all trimmed in metal flashing. It has a cheap plywood door for now but will get one likely from Deerview. I got the windows at McCoys. I would have liked a 14-15" tall window if they were available. I used screws almost exclusively, the only place a few nails were used were extra connectors for the wallplates to the floor. Door is in the center of the back wall which is solid (no windows) at this point.


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Posted By: onlysmith&wesson

Re: Window Openings - 10/22/19 07:31 PM

Nice job. 48" is plenty. What are you thinking for your shooting rest? For my previous blind that was 48" x 48",I placed 6" wide shelves on the outside with a slight angle so rain would run off. I put them about 1" below my window so when I laid a sand bag out it lined up for a solid shooting platform and didn't take up any interior room.
Posted By: Sick Train

Re: Window Openings - 10/23/19 04:55 PM

Originally Posted by QuitShootinYoungBucks
I just finished building and putting this one out. It's 48" x 83 1/2". The 48" is to save on the roof, flooring, and ends by not needing more than one width of plywood. The 83 1/2 is two 12"x36" windows split by a 2x4 and cornered at the front by 2x4s (which we know are 3 1/2, so 36+36+3(3.5) = 83.5. I used 24" windows on the sides but probably should have used 36". I'll take interior pics next trip. Base is treated 2x6 with 3/4" plywood. Most of the other supports are ripped 2x4s to save lumber and weight. Corners are all trimmed in metal flashing. It has a cheap plywood door for now but will get one likely from Deerview. I got the windows at McCoys. I would have liked a 14-15" tall window if they were available. I used screws almost exclusively, the only place a few nails were used were extra connectors for the wallplates to the floor. Door is in the center of the back wall which is solid (no windows) at this point.


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Good job! What are you using over your windows? I purchased the same windows from McCoys.
Posted By: Dalee7892

Re: Window Openings - 10/23/19 06:27 PM

When I built my blind I made the windows high enough so when I sat in the chair I could rest the firearm on the bottom of the window to stabilize. The widows where hinged to open outward with foam pipe insulation on all sides this help to seal the windows off and also gave a padded rest for the firearm. The windows where 12" high x 24" wide enough to see and also concealment. I hung some camo curtains on the inside two piece so I could cover as much or as little of the window.
Posted By: RPG1997

Re: Window Openings - 10/24/19 02:27 AM

24x24 is the best window opening in my opinion. Very versatile for both archery and firearms.
Posted By: Sick Train

Re: Window Openings - 10/25/19 12:54 PM

Thanks fellas. I'm planning on setting up a popup blind on a 4' elevated platform as well. Any of you guys done this and If so, how did it work out for you? Trying to figure out the best way to anchor the small straps on the bottom to the platform so it doesn't fly away. It's a older Ameristep Brickhouse that I've had sitting in the garage for a few years.
Posted By: QuitShootinYoungBucks

Re: Window Openings - 01/08/20 05:15 PM

Sick, here are the pics of the flashing (just screwed at both ends over the window, but I think I put a bead of caulk under them) as well as some interior framing pics.

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Side wall:

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Front wall:

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Back wall (temp plywood door will be replaced by a real door from RV or similar):

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Posted By: onlysmith&wesson

Re: Window Openings - 01/09/20 11:47 AM

Originally Posted by QuitShootinYoungBucks
Sick, here are the pics of the flashing (just screwed at both ends over the window, but I think I put a bead of caulk under them) as well as some interior framing pics.

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Side wall:

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Front wall:

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Back wall (temp plywood door will be replaced by a real door from RV or similar):

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Deerview sells a door, or a door kit. But, nothing with a well framed plywood door that has good paint on it.
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