Installing Replacement Windows

Window Replacement

If you've ever wanted to get new windows in your home chances are you've thought about doing it yourself after getting quotes that seem overly expensive. Truthfully, you may be able to save money if you get estimates from more than one contractor, speak to the right window replacement contractor, or do it yourself. If you decide to replace your windows yourself it could reasonably take 6+ hours for each window you replace and that is assuming the window can be reached easily from the outside of your house. Window replacement is a competitive field so shopping around will likely yield a lower bid than you initially received. Good contractors have years of experience and can generally get the job done in a day depending on the size of the job. They can also include features that you may not have the experience to install yourself. But if you do want to replace your own windows this is a short guide on how to do just that.


Preparation

The most important step to replacing your own windows is measuring. You need to make sure you get the right size windows to replace your old ones so that the installation can go as smoothly as possible. Measure your windows from inside your home and measure from jamb to jamb vertically and horizontally. Make sure to measure from the bottom, middle and top when measuring horizontally, and from the right, middle and left when measuring vertically. Hopefully all the measurements will be within 1/4 of an inch of each other. But no matter what be sure to use the smallest measurement vertically and horizontally so that your new windows will fit into the window opening you will be creating. Don't worry about the gaps now because you will close them later in the process. When you have correct measurements, purchase your windows. You will also need some other supplies. These include:

* Caulking Gun and Caulking Tubes
* A Square
* Wood Shims
* Tape Measure
* Miter Saw
* Hammer
* Strong Cordless Drill
* Screwdriver
* Wood Chisel
* Utility Knife
* Small Pry-Bar and Putty Knife
* Your Replacement Window

The Replacement Process

The first step to removing your old window is to remove the stops. Stops are the thin vertical pieces of wood that keep the sashes in place. Be cautious when removing these pieces because you can use them later for your replacement window and they can break rather easily. This is where your knives and pry-bar come in handy. The next step is removing the sash from the window frame. Take out the parting beads to free the upper sash. If your sashes were previously replaced there wont be any beads. Simply press in on the jamb liners and pull the top of the sash forward. Then turn one side of the sash upward to free it from the jamb liners. The next step is to pry off the jamb liners. While doing this you may have some wooden stops remaining that need to be removed.Next you will be prepping the window frame. You should scrape off any loose or blistered paint from the frame. Make sure to patch any small holes or cracks with exterior grade wood putty. Bigger holes can be filled with tufts of fiberglass insulation. Sand the jambs and prime and paint the surfaces of the frame. Don't remove the interior or exterior casings from your frame.

Now you will remove the old sash weights. To do this unscrew the access panel on each side jamb. Next you will insulate behind your window frame. To prep for your insulation you should drill 3/8 inch diameter holes in your sill and head jamb. Drill three holes, one in each end and one near the center. Make sure there is no fiberglass in the sash weight pockets. Polyurethane foam is more effective than fiberglass at blocking air so it is ideal for insulation. Make sure that you use a foam that is low-pressure and expands minimally. Expanding foam will warp your windows and they will have problems opening. Shoot the foam into the holes you drilled until it starts coming out of the holes. Additionally, spray the foam into the sash weight pockets in the side jambs. Give the foam about 6 hours to harden and then you will break off the extra making sure it is even. When you are finished replace the access panels for the side jambs.

Next you should set your window in the opening to see how it fits and be sure it fits well and evenly. Remove the window and apply caulk to the inside face of the exterior casing, or to the blind stops on the top and sides of the frame. You should also apply caulk to the windowsill. Insert the window, putting the bottom in first, then tip the window up and into place. Make sure to press the window tight to the casings or the stops to create a seal with the caulk that you just applied. Then you will need to secure your window, fastening it loosely at first. Screw the window into place at the top on both sides. Do not fasten too tightly or your window may warp and have difficulty opening and closing. Next you install any shims that are necessary to center the window and keep it level. When the window is even and squared in the frame fasten screws through the pre-drilled holes, through the shims, and into the jamb. Now you can fill any holes you may have using the foam you used previously.

Now you re-install the sash stops on the inside of your window and you are nearly finished. All that remains is the outside. From the outside you need to measure any gaps between your window frame and your casing. If a gap is less than 1/4 an inch can be caulked, but a gap that is wider should be stuffed with foam rubber backer rod to close the gap to under 1/4 of an inch before being caulked. When the exterior is sealed your installation is complete. The only task left is priming and painting or staining should you choose to do so.

Replacing a window is something that can be performed on your own, but you shouldn't expect it to be a quick procedure, especially if you don't have construction experience. The possibility of an unexpected occurrence exists and problems are bound to arise. If you have more than one window to deal with you may not have the time or the patience to complete the job. Window replacement contractors have years of experience and can get jobs done in a timely fashion. If you are looking to have window replacement done to your home it is possible to do-it-yourself, but you may want to save yourself the trouble and contact an experienced window replacement contractor to do it for you instead.