Window unit to split
Window-to-split conversion in Harat Al Yemen
In Harat Al Yemen, old downtown Jeddah, shops and houses with narrow windows rely on noisy window AC units. Conversion to split restores the window's natural ventilation while honouring the building's historic character.
- 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
Harat Al Yemen is a historic quarter in old downtown Jeddah, home to closely packed old shops and houses with narrow traditional windows and labyrinthine alleyways. The windows are part of the original architectural character, and the old window AC units that cover them block natural light and airflow. Converting the window to split in these old buildings requires special care because the structures are fragile, walls are thin and may be damaged, and work in the tight streets needs coordination with shop owners and neighbours. Copper piping usually runs along the old external walls because internal spaces are cramped.
Harat Al Yemen sits in Jeddah's historic downtown, an ancient quarter of closely packed old buildings around traditional souks.
Most windows in Harat Al Yemen are narrow and deep in design (traditional style), requiring special care when sealing the opening and fitting the split core.
The AC setup in Harat Al Yemen
- 1
Separate split unit per shop or house
The tightly packed old buildings cannot accommodate a central run, so each unit relies on its own split.
- 2
External runs on the old facade
The very tight internal spaces force us to run the piping along the external wall, fully protected from moisture.
- 3
Outdoor unit location limited by available space
Old buildings lack gardens or open spaces, so we mount the unit on a wall or narrow balcony with maximum care.
Before the visit
Before our visit in Harat Al Yemen
- 1
Ensure easy access to the window from inside the shop or house
Confirm the window is easily accessible from inside and that the team can work comfortably without moving too much furniture.
- 2
Coordinate with neighbours and adjacent shop owners
Notify neighbours and adjacent shops about the visit time since the work may cause some mess and noise in the narrow alley.
- 3
Confirm the safe and approved outdoor unit location
Agree with the team on a safe location for the outdoor unit on the wall or balcony, and ensure it won't disturb neighbours.
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.
My house is very old with weak walls; is the conversion safe for the structure?
We inspect the structure carefully first. If the walls are very weak, we recommend local reinforcement before sealing to prevent new cracks.
The alley is extremely narrow with no nearby parking; how does the team reach us?
The team carries tools by hand when needed. We coordinate with you beforehand to find the nearest parking point and the easiest entry route to the alley.
Old downtown has high humidity and salt; does this affect copper piping on the old external wall?
Yes, humidity and salt accelerate corrosion. We wrap the piping in thick insulation and recommend periodic checks to prevent water leaks from rust.
Will you preserve the old architectural character when sealing the window?
We block the opening in a way that suits the building's traditional style, using materials and colours that match the original walls as closely as possible.
