Window unit to split
Window-to-split conversion in Al Balad
In Al Balad, old downtown Jeddah, window units occupy many windows in residential flats and shops, blocking light and creating noise while leaving wide gaps for heat and dust. We remove the old unit, close the opening with blockwork, insulation and paint, then install a new split through its own small hole, restoring your window 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.
Ask on WhatsApp
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
Request this serviceDuct installation
Request this serviceCentral AC installation
Request this serviceDuct fabrication
Request this serviceCold room installation
Request this serviceElectro-mechanical works
Request this serviceChiller & AHU installation
Request this serviceHVAC design
Request this serviceAC repair & faults
Request this serviceAC cleaning
Request this serviceRefrigerant charging
Request this serviceCentral AC maintenance
Request this serviceChiller maintenance
Request this serviceAC removal & refitting
Request this serviceDuct cleaning & sanitising
Request this serviceAC servicing by brand
Request this serviceOperation & maintenance contracts
Request this serviceAHU maintenance
Request this serviceFridge & freezer service
Request this serviceCold rooms
Request this serviceDisplay fridges & chillers
Request this serviceFactory HVAC
Request this serviceWarehouse HVAC
Request this serviceVilla & home HVAC
Request this serviceHotel HVAC
Request this serviceSchool HVAC
Request this serviceHospital HVAC
Request this serviceMosque HVAC
Request this serviceMall & retail HVAC
Request this serviceRestaurant & cafe HVAC
Request this service
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 Balad's old buildings are densely built around the markets with modest ceiling heights, so window units were the easy first solution decades ago. Today, flats need proper windows for light, airflow and view, and modern splits offer better cooling power and lower noise. Converting from window to split requires careful blockwork on old walls and finding a safe route for the pipes between indoor and outdoor units through complex ceiling runs.
Al Balad sits at the heart of historic Jeddah, an old district of densely packed buildings around the popular markets and shops.
Most windows in Al Balad face south and east, increasing exposure to Jeddah's intense heat and speeding up the decay of the foam seal around a window unit.
The AC setup in Al Balad
- 1
Blockwork closure with insulation and paint
We close the window opening with full blockwork, thermal and moisture insulation and matching paint, so the wall becomes seamless and secure.
- 2
Indoor split with a small, safe hole
We install the indoor unit near the old window location, with just a small hole for pipes and cables, sealed against insects and dust.
- 3
Outdoor unit on the facade or balcony
The outdoor unit mounts on the external facade or balcony, positioned safely and away from walkways and the building's natural ventilation.
Before the visit
Before our visit in Al Balad
- 1
Confirm access to the external window
Check that the window and external facade are safely accessible from both inside and outside to remove the old unit and fit the new one.
- 2
Show us your preferred pipe route
If you have a preference for the new split's pipe route (straight through the wall or along the external wall), tell us beforehand so we can factor it in.
- 3
Clear space around the window and wall
Remove furniture and decorations around the window and external wall to give the team a safe, clear working space.
More districts for Window-to-split conversion
Other services in Al Balad
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 closing the window opening after removing the unit affect the flat's light?
Actually, we seal it properly with full insulation, so the window regains its proper function letting in light and natural air without any gaps for dust or heat.
The new split's pipes need a long run from inside to out, how do you route them through an old building?
We inspect the interior structure and ceiling beforehand and plan the shortest safe route for the pipes, either through the wall directly or along existing external runs, and confirm there is no clash with existing wiring or plumbing.
Does the humidity and salt air near the sea in Al Balad affect the new split unit?
Yes, salt air speeds corrosion, so we fit units built with materials resistant to humidity and salt, and we advise regular external-unit cleaning to extend its life.
After closing the opening, does the building need a municipal permit or does it affect the exterior facade?
That depends on the unit's location and the facade, we inspect the site first and advise you of any local requirements that may apply before we start.
