Window unit to split
Window-to-split conversion in Al Ala
In Al Ala, north-east Jeddah, many villas and flats need their old window AC units replaced with modern split systems. Alrabih closes the window opening with blockwork, insulation and paint, then installs the split through a separate small core hole to restore natural light and quiet.
- Sealed opening
- Window restored
- Quiet split
Clients We're Proud to Serve
Organisations and companies that trusted Alrabih with their projects.
Why owners make the switch
- 1
Non-stop noise from the old unit
The window unit motor runs right inside the room, and the vibration gets worse over the years. Many owners say sleeping next to it has become impossible, and switching to a split removes the source entirely.
- 2
The wall opening lets in heat and dust
The foam and tape sealing the gap around a window unit frame degrade in Jeddah's salty, humid air. The large opening becomes a clear source of heat loss, dust in the windy season and sometimes rain in winter.
- 3
The blocked window darkens the room
A window unit fills the whole window or most of it, so the room loses its natural light and ventilation at times when you do not need cooling. Getting the window back fully changes the room noticeably.
Who it's for
Own a villa and want the windows back
We remove the window units from your villa rooms, close each opening with block, insulation and plaster, then fit a split in each room through its own core hole.
Ask on WhatsAppManaging a rental flat and want to raise its value
We convert the flat's window unit to a quiet split and restore the wall and window to their original condition, improving the unit for the next tenant.
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What the conversion covers
- Remove old unit and frame
- Block plaster and insulation
- Paint inside and outside
- New core hole for split
- Insulated copper and drain
How we work
How we work
- 1
Survey the wall and opening
We check the wall thickness and the build around the old opening, agree where the new core hole for the split goes away from the old frame, and decide where the outdoor unit will sit.
- 2
Remove and close
We remove the window unit and its frame without breaking the surrounding wall, then close the opening with blockwork or lightweight concrete to match the original construction, with thermal insulation set inside the layers before plastering.
- 3
Plaster and paint both sides
We plaster and paint the closed opening on both the inside and outside faces to match the existing wall, leaving no trace of the old opening that could let in air or moisture.
- 4
Fit the new split
We core the agreed spot for the split, run insulated Mueller copper and a drain line with the correct fall, vacuum the line before start-up and test everything with you present.
A proper seal or a quick patch?
| Alrabih | The usual way | |
|---|---|---|
| Closing the opening | Block, plaster and insulation | Foam or a timber board |
| Outside face | Plastered and painted flush | Visible mark or cracks |
| Thermal insulation | Inside wall before plastering | None |
| New split core hole | Chosen away from old frame | Wherever drilling is easiest |
| Outside paint | Matched to existing wall colour | Different colour or unpainted |
Everything your AC needs, from one team
From system design and duct fabrication to installation, commissioning and maintenance.
Split AC installation
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Some of our work
Ductwork, rooftop units and diffusers, from work we've completed in Jeddah.
Customer reviews
What our customers say
- Muhammadramzan 2641
“MashaaAllah. Services are so good. Behaviour and kindness 100/100. Prices are less then Market. Fully recommended”
- shahzeb armani
“Wow. Prices are so comfortable. Outstanding services. People are so talented and nice”
- Tawfik AlyawerLocal Guide
“U can find all u need for air conditioning”
Your satisfaction matters to us! If you had a great experience with us, we'd love a 5-star rating and a kind review.
Worked with us? Leave a reviewService areas
We come to you anywhere in Jeddah
From Al Shiraa and Al Yaqout in the north to Al Thaghr and Al Quraiyat in the south, with our base in Al Aziziyah.
What sets this district apart
Al Ala is a relatively modern residential area mixing low-rise villas and mid-sized apartment blocks, many of whose older units still have window AC units that block sunlight and cause constant noise. The intense heat and coastal humidity speed up deterioration of the foam seal around the window unit, letting heat and dust leak in. Converting to a split preserves the façade, regulates temperature more efficiently and restores the window to normal use.
Al Ala sits in north-east Jeddah, a mixed residential area of villas and mid-rise flats with relatively wide streets and private gardens.
Most villas and flats in Al Ala have large windows sized for window units, and many have not yet upgraded to split systems.
The AC setup in Al Ala
- 1
New split unit with sealed window
The old window unit is fully removed, the opening sealed with blockwork and insulation then painted, and the split installed in a separate small core hole that keeps the façade intact.
- 2
Outdoor unit on wall or garden side
Most Al Ala villas and flats can accommodate an outdoor unit on a rear wall or garden side, away from the street-facing facade.
- 3
Condensate drainage to garden or gutter
Condensate pipes are routed to either the garden or the wall gutter, depending on the outdoor unit's position.
Before the visit
Before our visit in Al Ala
- 1
Confirm team access to the window and outer wall
Make sure our team can easily reach the window from inside and access the outer wall opposite it, and let us know if ladders or scaffolding will be needed.
- 2
Choose the outdoor unit location and electrical supply
Decide where you want the outdoor unit placed (rear or side wall) and check that a reliable power source is nearby for direct connection.
- 3
Clear space around the window and outer wall
Remove any hanging items or furniture near the window and outer area to ease the work and clean-up afterwards.
More districts for Window-to-split conversion
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FAQ
Questions about Window-to-split conversion
Do you restore the original window after closing the AC opening?
It depends on what the original opening was. In some rooms the opening was cut into a solid wall with no window frame, so it is fully closed. If the original build can take a window, we discuss that at the survey and tell you what is actually possible in your wall.
Can the old window unit hole be reused as the new split core hole?
The old opening is usually much larger than the small core a split needs, and its position may not suit the copper and drain route. It is safer to close it fully and drill a new hole in the right place, so no hidden gaps remain to let air through or collect moisture.
How do you stop humid salty air coming through the closed opening?
We place thermal insulation inside the wall layers before plastering, and use sealing materials that form a continuous barrier from inside to outside. Jeddah's combination of humidity and salt accelerates the breakdown of any temporary patch, so we treat the closed opening as a new wall section, not a surface repair.
Do I need permission from the building management before closing the opening?
In a rented flat it is wise to check with the owner or management office first, because the work changes the building's outside face. In a villa you own the decision is yours. We explain the full scope at the survey so you can get any approval needed before the work day.
Does the job change if the wall is concrete rather than block?
Yes. A concrete wall needs a different filling method and may require a repair mix rather than standard block. We identify the wall type at the survey and choose the material that bonds solidly with the existing concrete, leaving no hidden gaps for moisture to enter later.
Does blocking the window opening with brickwork affect the flat's ventilation?
The opening is fully sealed with blockwork, insulation and paint, but the new split regulates temperature more efficiently, and your other ventilation openings continue to function normally.
My villa has a back garden, where does the outdoor split unit go?
The outdoor unit is usually mounted on an outer wall nearby or in the back area, away from windows and seating zones, and needs clear air space around it for ventilation.
Summer heat in Al Ala is intense, does the new split draw more current than the old window unit?
Modern split systems operate far more efficiently and consume less power than aged window units, especially if the foam seal has deteriorated from intense heat and coastal humidity.
After the window opening is sealed, can it be reopened later?
The opening can be reopened later if needed, but the seal is built to prevent air and heat leaks, and reopening would require additional work and cost.
