Forum Archive: Posts by: BkBadger

In two window wells in my Brooklyn Heights apartment I have installed large air conditioners. Given that the AC units are fastened to the window frame by screws and I have installed and painted panels on either side to the width of the window, I prefer not to remove them each fall and reinstall them each summer. This cuts down on the wear and tear on both AC units and window frames. This means, however, that (1) my AC units stare into living room and bedroom all year, (2) dust enters the apartment through the AC unit and (3) in the winter, cold air rushes in both through the AC unit and around it.
My proposed solution to all three problems is to have a cabinet maker design two large wooden “boxes” lined with insulation and that have been bespoke to fit right up against the window, covering the AC unit and extending to the sides of the window well to cut down the drafts.
My window wells are approximately 14” deep, 50” wide. The well ledge is stained blond maple. The apartment is traditional décor (19th century antiques, crown+base molding).
* Can you recommend a Brooklyn cabinet maker? I’m aware of the 5/26/08 Brownstoner post re cabinet makers and have been in touch with several recommended there.
* How much I should budget? If the cabinet maker’s time is worth $50/hour, I could see this being a $400 job. How good is my $50 assumption?
* What have other Brownstoners (that’s you) done to address similar problems? One cabinet marker has designing the side of the boxes facing the room as shelves to make them look less like, well, boxes – two rows of bookshelves or a single step-up ledge on which to put framed photos, etc..