Installing Vinyl Replacement Windows

Replacement windows can make a dramatic impact on any older home. Replacement windows offer significant benefits over old single pane windows and can freshen the exterior looks of your home. Replacing your own windows is easier than you may think and by doing this task yourself, you can save thousands.

Many older homes have single pane windows. Single pane windows consist of one thin pane of glass in a window frame. This type of construction is not in use today. Most new windows use double pane construction. Double pane construction uses two pane of glass with an air space in between the panes. This type of window construction is significantly more energy efficient than single pane window. The air space in between the panes acts as a buffer between warm inside air and cold outside air.

The majority of heat loss in a home comes from inefficient windows. Windows are large, un-insulated openings in the home that allows heat to transfer out and cold to transfer in. Replacing your inefficient windows can and will dramatically affect the cost to both cool and heat your home. New, energy efficient windows will pay for themselves by saving you money on heating and cooling costs.

Typically, homeowners hire professionals for this task, however it is not as difficult as it may seem to be and replacing windows yourself will save you a lot of money. A typical home may have 10 windows. A window company will charge you between $4,000 and $7,000 to replace all of the windows. You can purchase the custom made windows yourself for approximately $2,000 and install one at a time as your schedule permits. Below I will outline the basics for installing replacement windows. Each job will vary so this is only a general guideline.

To begin the job, you will have to remove the existing window. This is the most difficult part of the job. If your home has original windows which were installed at the time it was built, removal will be difficult. If you home has older, replacement windows, the job of removing them will be significantly easier.

First, I will cover removing original windows using a common slider type window as an example. First, remove the sliding window section. To do this, you will usually have to fully open the window and lift up on the slider section to remove it. Once remove, set it aside. The other window section is the fixed window. Many fixed windows will be difficult to remove. They are typically held in by rivets. You will have to locate the rivet, usually on the exterior of the window, and drill them out. Use a drill bit with a head that is larger than the rivet and drill through the rivet. Once the rivets are removed, you should be able to remove the fixed window.

Now that both glass sections are removed, you will focus on removing the window frame. The frame will be held in with metal tabs that you cannot access. These tabs are nailed on to the sheathing of you house and hidden behind either brick or siding. To break these tabs loose you will need to pry on the window frame. Take a hacksaw and cut through the middle of the window frame along one side of the window. Once you have cut through the frame, bend it away from the wall. Insert your pry bar behind it and pry gently until you hear a popping noise. This popping noise indicates that you have pulled the tab through the nail and loosened it. Repeat this process around the entire window frame. Most windows will be held in by four or more tabs. Once you are certain that the frame is loose and can be removed, go ahead and remove it. Pull on it, twist it, and pry it to get it out. Once removed, you will be ready to install your new windows.

Going backwards a bit, if you have replacement windows on your home that you are trying to remove, they will likely be secured by only a few screws and are much easier to remove. Begin by removing the sliding window. Then locate the screw holes. They will likely be covered by plastic plugs that hide the screws from sight. Remove the plastic plugs to access the screws. Remove all of the screws, cut out the existing caulk and the window should be ready for removal as a whole assembly.

Now on to installing your new windows. This task is quite easy, but having a helper will make the job easier. Begin by centering the window in the frame. Check it for level and insert shims between the frame and the existing wood framework and insert screws to temporarily hold the window in place. Make sure that the screws go through the shims and into the wood framing behind the shims. Once you have secured the window, check it again for level and to make sure that it is centered in the framework before securing all of the screws. When you are sure of the windows position, tighten down the screws taking care not to strip them or to damage the window frame. Just snug is good enough.

Once the window is in place, you will have to caulk the inside of the window and caulk to exterior of the window. Finish by replacing and interior moldings and you have completed replacing one window. Repeat the process on the rest of your windows and the job is complete.

Replacing your windows of your home is an easy task. You can save yourself thousands by doing it yourself versus hiring a professional. Many think that this is a daunting task; however it is actually quite easy. Expect a few hours per window and plan to complete the project at your pace over several days. Save thousands on install, and save ever more over the years with reduced heating and cooling costs. A win, win situation.