Window unit to split

Window-to-split conversion in Harat Al Sham

In Harat Al Sham, old downtown Jeddah, shops and residential flats need to replace aged window units with modern splits to free the windows and eliminate noise. We seal the old opening with blockwork and insulation, then fit the new split through a small separate core hole.

  • Sealed opening
  • Window restored
  • Quiet split

Clients We're Proud to Serve

Organisations and companies that trusted Alrabih with their projects.

  • Saudi Aramco
  • Ministry of Energy
  • Royal Saudi Land Forces
  • Royal Saudi Naval Forces
  • Al Baik
  • Centro Hotels by Rotana
  • King Abdullah Economic City
  • First Mills
  • Juffali
  • eXtra
  • Dr. Soliman Fakeeh Medical Center
  • Alesayi Motors
  • Abu Zaid
  • Water Desalination
  • Attieh Steel
  • SSCO
  • Creet
  • Emad Rizq
  • Alfaneyah
  • Rawat Alam Al Tasmeem
  • IBI Magix Arabia — Construction Services
  • Midtown for Construction
  • Petra Engineering Industries Co.
  • Hyrmas
  • Batterjee Medical College
  • Advanced Horizons Contracting Company
  • D.Metals
  • Benchbox — Masters of Space
  • Sadafco
  • Umm Al-Qura University
  • Saudi Arabian Drug Store (SADS)
  • Foamco
  • Ahmad A. R. Bin Afif Industries Co. (Sandwich Panel Factory)
  • Namariq
  • ALS

Why owners make the switch

  1. 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. 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. 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 WhatsApp
  • Managing 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
Request a quote

How we work

How we work

  1. 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. 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. 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. 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?

AlrabihThe usual way
Closing the openingBlock, plaster and insulationFoam or a timber board
Outside facePlastered and painted flushVisible mark or cracks
Thermal insulationInside wall before plasteringNone
New split core holeChosen away from old frameWherever drilling is easiest
Outside paintMatched to existing wall colourDifferent colour or unpainted

Some of our work

Ductwork, rooftop units and diffusers, from work we've completed in Jeddah.

  • Galvanized rectangular duct trunk with branch takeoffs and round diffusers, hung from a black ceiling, a Carrier unit visible behind — interior finishing stage.
  • Round diffusers and a spiral duct trunk in a tiled stairwell service shaft.
  • Rooftop ductwork and an exhaust fan, with Jeddah buildings in the background.
  • Rooftop packaged AC units with rectangular duct transitions, city buildings behind.
  • Insulated rooftop duct run beside a packaged unit, a warehouse roof in the background.
  • A grid of round diffusers in an open-plan office ceiling, mid-construction.
  • An insulated rooftop duct elbow, against a mountainous backdrop.
  • Large insulated ductwork running along a factory ceiling, with workers visible below.
  • A yellow round diffuser mid-installation, with spiral duct and a suspended ceiling grid.
  • Duct insulation wrap in progress on a construction site, bare duct still exposed.
  • A black-painted duct trunk with round diffusers and track lighting, in a finished retail interior.
  • An indoor AHU unit connected to round ductwork in a mechanical plant room, exposed concrete ceiling.
Similar project? Send us the details

Customer reviews

What our customers say

4.8

From 10 Google reviews

  • 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”

Read every review on Google

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 review

Service 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.

Map of Jeddah by sector, with Alrabih's base in Al Aziziyah
Don't see your district?Message us. We most likely cover it.

What sets this district apart

Harat Al Sham is part of old downtown, marked by closely built tall blocks housing ground-floor shops and residential flats above, with buildings decades old. Window units here clutter the view and block light from already narrow windows, adding noise in the crowded narrow streets. Replacing them with splits frees the window, cuts noise, improves the building's external look, and visiting time must be coordinated with the shop or flat owner.

Harat Al Sham sits in historic downtown Jeddah, an area of old closely built blocks with shops and residential flats.

Most old openings here are in narrow external walls because buildings sit so close, and outdoor units go on roofs or small balconies.

The AC setup in Harat Al Sham

  1. 1

    Tight sealing of an old opening in a narrow wall

    The old opening is sealed with strong blockwork, concrete and multi-layer thermal and moisture insulation because the wall is exposed to humidity and salt.

  2. 2

    Protected small opening on roof or balcony

    The new opening is very small on the roof or side balcony, with extra moisture protection around it.

  3. 3

    Salt and humidity-resistant paint and materials

    Paint and insulation are chosen to resist coastal salt and high humidity in the old downtown area.

Before the visit

Before our visit in Harat Al Sham

  1. 1

    Confirm the nearest parking spot

    Harat Al Sham's streets are very narrow, so tell us the nearest point the team can park before the visit.

  2. 2

    Coordinate with the shop or resident

    Tell the shop or flat owner about the visit time in advance to avoid clashing with working hours or daily activities.

  3. 3

    Ensure safe access to the window and roof

    Check that the window and roof or balcony for the outdoor unit can be safely reached before the visit day.

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.

My opening is very old and the wall has cracks, can you seal it safely?

We inspect the wall first, repair any cracks with appropriate material, then build the opening with strong blockwork, concrete and thermal insulation.

Our street is very narrow, how do you get equipment to upper floors?

We agree on the nearest parking spot, then carry the parts by hand up the stairs or available balconies.

Coastal humidity and salt are strong here, can the materials withstand this?

We use high-quality insulation and paint resistant to salt and humidity, and recommend annual maintenance to preserve the seal.

My shop operates all day, can the work be delayed to late in the week?

Yes, we operate Saturday to Thursday, 8 am to 8 pm, and you can choose any time within these hours.

The Jeddah corniche in cool weather

Get rid of the window unit for good

WhatsApp a photo of the current opening and the outside wall, and we will book a survey in your district, Saturday to Thursday, eight in the morning to eight in the evening.

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