I Made My House More Secure and Improved the Aesthetics.
by fatgnat in Workshop > Home Improvement
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I Made My House More Secure and Improved the Aesthetics.
![before - 1.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FJN/XTWP/L29E4XLL/FJNXTWPL29E4XLL.jpg&filename=before - 1.jpg)
My house looked more like a community center than a home. I also did not like that my front door was a sliding glass door. I didn't feel secure at all with all the glass
Supplies
I needed 2" x 4"s, 3/4" plywood, 1/2" sheetrock, a framed front door, two windows, insulation and screws
![before.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/F3B/BFYN/L290LJCC/F3BBFYNL290LJCC.jpg&filename=before.jpg)
I had to remove the sliding glass doors. I also had to remove the tinted glass panels. They were tempered, 3/8" thick and 41" X 81" and there were four of them. I broke one getting it out, but was able to sell the three full panes.
![Walls with windows.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/F2W/M2YI/L29E4WOS/F2WM2YIL29E4WOS.jpg&filename=Walls with windows.jpg)
After removing the sliding glass door, I had to build sidelights for the door I purchased at the Habitat for Humanity Restore to fit the hole where the door was removed. My Dad always taught me to measure twice and cut once... I measured three times!
Then I made the walls to fill the holes left by the tinted glass. These were made with 2X4s and the outer walls were 3/4" plywood, checking for square throughout construction. Again measuring precisely. Two of the walls had windows installed in them. They fit tightly and I had to use a rubber mallet to get them in place. They were secured in place with lag screws.
![after.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/F9L/3CL6/L290LJGP/F9L3CL6L290LJGP.jpg&filename=after.jpg)
After securing the outside, I installed insulation, a water barrier, and then Drywall. I am not good with taping and mudding drywall, so I got a little help. The inside looked much better than before and the outside was a complete changeover. It now looks like a domicile and not a pool house!