Faux Gothic Window
My vision was finding a balance between a sophisticated interior design aesthetic, exterior Halloween decor, innovation, and the potential larger blue-sky idea of eventually converting my house to a medieval cathedral in annual increments.
My initial intent was to create a lightweight arched Gothic window frame to cover the existing rectangular vinyl window in order to utilize the interior lighting for a realistically illuminated effect at night. While my faux window plans delivered on that function, I worried that within the context of how visually noisy neighborhoods are during Halloween, it could come across so authentic that it wouldn’t grab anyone’s attention and be passed-over as part of the existing construction. With that said, I decided that edge-lit color-controllable LED lighting was needed in order to provide more visually-exciting decor.
Some of my project objectives/mandatories:
cover existing vinyl window and stucco wall without damage to either
lightweight (facilitates hanging with non-destructive hardware)
removable (reinstalled following year)
architectural dimension and depth
semi-obscured faux stained glass
faux wood grain
lighting
creation of templates to share with DIY community
authenticity of style
expensive or complicated tools not required
Materials:
(1) 2" Insulation Foam Board: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Owens-Corning-FOAMULAR-NGX-F-250-2-in-x-4-ft-x-8-ft-SSE-R-10-XPS-Rigid-Foam-Board-Insulation-52DDNGX/315197962?MERCH=REC-_-searchViewed-_-NA-_-315197962-_-N
(2) 1" Insulation Foam Board: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Owens-Corning-FOAMULAR-NGX-F-150-1-in-x-4-ft-x-8-ft-SSE-R-5-XPS-Rigid-Foam-Board-Insulation-20WENGX/315197840
For small-scale pieces: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Owens-Corning-FOAMULAR-NGX-1-in-x-2-ft-x-2-ft-R-5-Project-Panel-XPS-Rigid-Foam-Board-Insulation-9WE/315401957
(1) Plexiglass sheet: https://amzn.to/3AGryBw
(1) Window Film with a motif to simulate stained glass: https://amzn.to/35mtjrQ or https://amzn.to/34g6vtw
(1 pack) Command Hooks: https://amzn.to/3IJvwvY
(2) Linchpins: https://amzn.to/3o6VCRw https://amzn.to/3r6NkLC https://amzn.to/3ACJgpy https://amzn.to/3KSemhC https://amzn.to/3g282Gd
Tape Lights or LED Strips: https://amzn.to/3rWH0FH
Tools:
Measuring Tape Pencil Drill (w/ bit to match linchpins)
Great Stuff Panel Adhesive (w/ pistol applicator nozzle)
Utility Knife Painter's Tape: https://amzn.to/3o6MD2Q
Rags: white: https://amzn.to/4cWmVop black: https://amzn.to/3Xh0pka
Spray Bottle: https://amzn.to/3ThIR6e https://amzn.to/3MA5saC
Squeegee: https://amzn.to/3o3Sm9x
Mini Hacksaw: https://amzn.to/3XuLCUl https://amzn.to/3XwclA0
Non-Serrated Steak Knife
Fine Sanding sponges: https://amzn.to/4e61ORm assorted: https://amzn.to/3yUhj08
Clear Gorilla Glue: https://amzn.to/3Hiau7y
Weights or Clamps (to hold foam when gluing)
Matte Black Latex Paint: https://amzn.to/4cSehr0
Paint Brush
Scotchbrite Pads: https://amzn.to/340anPs