Installing New Energy Efficient Windows in Your Home

Installing new energy efficient windows in your home will save you money on your energy bills and other maintenance costs associated with your old wooden windows.

Installation is easier than you may have guessed; here is a guide to help you install new energy efficient windows.

1.) Measuring: One of the more important steps before ordering your storm windows. Measure the openings your window will fit into. Remove the outside trim from the window so that you can accurately measure the window frame. (You have to remove the trim anyway to install the new windows.) New windows are typically ½ inch smaller than the stated measurements.

Note: New energy efficient windows will be marked in a non typical measurement like doors. 2/0 = 24 inches 2/4 = 28 inches. Feet/ inches are the formula they use. The first number is the width, second the height. A 3/0x 4/0 window measures 36 inches wide by 48 inches tall. (In reality it's 35 ½ inches by 47 ½ inches.) You need about a half inch of play side to side and top to bottom for expansion, or you can have Mother Nature break your windows for you at her whim.

2.) Buying your windows: Shop around to find the best price for the new vinyl or aluminum windows you want, decide if you want sliders (opening sideways) or vertical closers, aluminum or vinyl, double or triple pane, with or without panels, etc. Sometimes you have to special order windows because of size or out of stock, never remove the old ones until you have the new ones on hand! Ordering can take some time, especially if they have to make them.

Note: If you order all your energy efficient windows at one time, be sure you have enough room to safely store them until they are installed. Broken new windows are about as good as broken old windows...

3.) Make a material list: Any extra wood for framing or trim work, caulking, nails and screws, low expansion foam(Regular expanding foam can break your new windows or render them inoperable!) to seal small voids and insulation to fill larger voids inside the walls. You may even need some sheetrock depending on the inside trim or lack thereof.

Usually one and a half inch zinc coated screws are a good size to secure your new windows to the framing.

Try to have all the material you will need on hand before starting or your house will be open to the elements while you run to the hardware store.

4.) Remove the old window: Remove all the screws or nails holding the old windows to the framing, removing or cutting old caulking will also ease the way. Take your time and the windows will come out in one piece, using a sledge hammer may get the job done, but think of the mess and medical bills! Remember large windows are probably heavy, so now is the time to call in old favors with the neighbors....

Once the old window is out, check the frame to be sure no nails or screw heads will be in the way and that it is clean enough to allow the new caulking to stick.

5.) Installing the new energy efficient windows: Caulk around the edge of the frame close enough to the edge so that the window frame covers it up. Get your fully charged drill/driver and your screws up on a saw horse or chair so you can reach them while holding the window in place. (It is always easier to do this with two people or more.) Set your level against the wall also within reach. Set the new windows in place. It's alright for them to sit on the bottom as long as the top lip is over the upper framing, and be sure it has room on each side to expand with the weather. Once you establish that the window is level, set your screws about eight inches apart around all four sides of the frame. Now check that the window opens and closes correctly.

6.) Fill in any gaps: With insulation for large gaps and low expansion foam for smaller cracks or holes around the windows.

7.) Trim out the window: Replace the trim around the windows inside and out, caulking any cracks that are left.

A little paint here and there to touch up and it's time for a heart to heart with the recliner, make sure you have a cold one on hand so you can enjoy the view out of your new energy efficient windows without getting up!