Today, I installed the windows to proceed with the siding of the dollhouse. These windows cannot be added after the siding is in place because they come with the “glass” already attached. If you try to install them over the siding, you won't be able to use binder clips to secure them, and the siding will be visible, preventing the double-hung effect. Since the windows are square, trimming the siding around them will be straightforward.
I started by painting all the sashes and casings, ensuring I covered all edges including their back sides. The openings may not be perfectly sized, so if you don’t paint every part, raw wood will show around the edges.
After the paint dried, I glued the “glass” to all the sashes. Once that was dry, I glued the exterior sashes into their openings. I followed a reference photo, attaching the exterior sashes to the top openings and the interior ones to the bottom. After that, I painted the bottoms of the exterior sashes to match the top ones and painted the tops of the interior sashes to match the bottoms. At the beginning of this project, I linked a helpful tutorial on double-hung windows in case my instructions were unclear. My pictures also clearly show how these windows are installed.
Next, I placed casings around the sashes to create a double-hung window effect. I recommend gluing both the sashes and casings at the same time while the glue is still wet. This allows for adjustments to ensure a perfect fit. I repeated this process for all the windows but left off the sills and pediments until after siding the dollhouse.
There’s also a way to make these windows functional. Instead of gluing the exterior sash permanently, you can secure it snugly so that it stays in place without falling off. You’ll need to sand and dry fit each window gradually until you achieve a perfect fit. Applying a bit of wax along the sides of the sash will help it slide up and down more easily while keeping it in position. This option is best for display dollhouses rather than play ones, as you must handle the sash gently to avoid it popping off and getting lost.
