Home Garden

How to Cover Up a Window to Look Like Part of the Wall

Temporary methods of covering a window, such as tacking up cardboard or a blanket, are often unsightly. Whether you need to create privacy, conceal damage, block light or add wall space, it is possible to permanently cover a window in a way that no one will know that a window was ever there. Cover your window using methods adopted from drywall installation.

Things You'll Need

  • Utility knife
  • Pry bar
  • Hammer
  • Sandpaper
  • Tape measure
  • 1-by-1 inch boards
  • Chop saw, miter saw or hand saw
  • Plywood
  • Table saw, jig saw or circular saw
  • Drywall
  • Wood screws
  • Fiberglass insulation
  • Scissors
  • Sheetrock screws
  • Joint compound
  • Putty knife
  • Drywall tape
  • Primer
  • Paint
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Score along the seams where the trim and sill meet the wall using a utility knife to sever any caulk or paint. Remove the trim and sill using a pry bar. Hit the bottom of the sill with a hammer to help release it from the wall.

    • 2

      Sand away any imperfections left on the wall from removing the trim and sill using sandpaper.

    • 3

      Measure the dimensions of the window cavity.

    • 4

      Create a framework of 1-by-1-inch boards to fit around the inside of the window cavity. Use a chop saw, miter saw or hand saw to cut the wood.

    • 5

      Cut a section of plywood to match the dimensions of the window cavity. Use a table saw, jig saw or a circular saw to cut the plywood.

    • 6

      Cut a section of drywall using a utility knife to match the dimensions of the window cavity.

    • 7

      Add the width of the plywood and drywall. Use this measurement to determine the depth at which to attach the 1-by-1 framework to the inside perimeter of the window. Secure the framework with wood screws.

    • 8

      Cut a piece of fiberglass insulation to fill the cavity. Fiberglass insulation is soft and is cut with scissors. Stuff the insulation into the cavity, behind the added 1-by-1 framework.

    • 9

      Fit the plywood into the cavity, against the framework. Screw the plywood to the framework boards.

    • 10

      Fit the drywall into the cavity, against the plywood – so it lies flush with the surface of the surrounding wall. Screw the drywall to the plywood with drywall screws.

    • 11

      Run a layer of joint compound over the crack between the new drywall and the old wall using a putty knife. To apply, pick up a gob of joint compound on the end of the putty knife and pull it along the seam holding the knife at a sharp angle. Use medium-firm pressure to force the compound into the crack.

    • 12

      Run drywall tape over the crack, on top of the wet compound. Smooth down the tape by going over it with the putty knife.

    • 13

      Apply another thin coat of joint compound to seal and cover the tape.

    • 14

      Allow the joint compound to dry then sand it with sand paper to eliminate all imperfections.

    • 15

      Apply joint compound to the area as needed to match the texture of the existing wall. It may be splattered, trowel-distressed or mixed with wall texture grit. Allow the texture to dry.

    • 16

      Prime and paint the wall using the same primer and paint used on the surrounding wall.