Full Frame Install- Always necessary?

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Shims
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Full Frame Install- Always necessary?

#1 Post by Shims »

is almost always necessary. What do you guys think?

Skydawggy.
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Re: Full Frame Install- Always necessary?

#2 Post by Skydawggy. »

I'd say he's a solution looking for a problem.

Shims
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Joined: Sun Jul 25, 2010 2:27 pm
Location: Florida

Re: Full Frame Install- Always necessary?

#3 Post by Shims »

Please explain exactly what you mean. I mean is what he's saying true about aluminum capping of wood causing rot, inserts being a quick profit, etc?

Skydawggy.
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Re: Full Frame Install- Always necessary?

#4 Post by Skydawggy. »

With all the millions of insert windows installed every year, how often do you hear horror stories? Sure it happens if the job isn't done correctly. That's why we always say the installation is critical.

Shims
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Re: Full Frame Install- Always necessary?

#5 Post by Shims »

That's kind of what I was thinking too. I mean why would they even make insert/replacement windows to begin with if that was all true?

Shims
Posts: 60
Joined: Sun Jul 25, 2010 2:27 pm
Location: Florida

Re: Full Frame Install- Always necessary?

#6 Post by Shims »

null
Last edited by Shims on Fri Feb 04, 2011 8:10 pm, edited 2 times in total.

Skydawggy.
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Re: Full Frame Install- Always necessary?

#7 Post by Skydawggy. »

There are situations where a full frame install is the best option. The point is that most of the time they aren't necessary. If you want the contractor to do a full frame replacement then that's fine.

Shims
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Joined: Sun Jul 25, 2010 2:27 pm
Location: Florida

Re: Full Frame Install- Always necessary?

#8 Post by Shims »

And here's the deal. We originally were looking for wood replacement windows because we thought wood would better match our house, be better, etc and we didn't want vinyl so we settled on fiberglass because it looks more like painted wood. These were all done via insert style. Our home was built in 98. It's a good thing this site was invented because I've learned a whole lot about windows. The full frame option was just too expensive. One contractor told us the only advantage of full frame is being able to insulate underneath the rough opening.

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Windows on Washington
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Re: Full Frame Install- Always necessary?

#9 Post by Windows on Washington »

You can insulate between the frame of the window and the rough opening with some well placed and drilled holes and spray foam. It is hardly worth it in a home of your age if the opening is air tight.

Insulating weight boxes on older wood windows is more critical.

The largest benefit to a full tear out replacement the loss of less viewable glass when compared to an insert. Comparing the same window in a full tear out vs insert will normally net you between 1.5" and 2" more glass.

Shims
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Re: Full Frame Install- Always necessary?

#10 Post by Shims »

Well we had one double hung window with a circle top replaced via full frame as they said they could not wrap the half circle in aluminum. When they tore down the original casing for the window there wasn't a lot of fiberglass insulation. It just seemed like a thin line of it wrapped around but not directly under the casing. It's hard to explain, but from what I read fiberglass insulation has to be stuffed in a certain way in order to work?

Skydawggy.
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Re: Full Frame Install- Always necessary?

#11 Post by Skydawggy. »

Fiberglass insulation works best when it in not compressed. In fact one of the reason most homes could benefit from additional fiberglass insulation in the attic is that fiberglass compresses under it's own weigh over a period of time. Stuffing fiberglass into the frame around a window gives about the same insulation value as using newspaper.

buddy11
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Re: Full Frame Install- Always necessary?

#12 Post by buddy11 »

Full frame replacements are slightly better for all the reasons stated, but they come at a cost which can be significant. A properly inserted window is just fine and a heck of a lot less expensive.

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HomeSealed
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Re: Full Frame Install- Always necessary?

#13 Post by HomeSealed »

buddy11 wrote:Full frame replacements are slightly better for all the reasons stated, but they come at a cost which can be significant. A properly inserted window is just fine and a heck of a lot less expensive.
+1

Shims
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Re: Full Frame Install- Always necessary?

#14 Post by Shims »

So there wouldn't be a large difference as far as noticeably be more comfortable; less drafts etc? Is insulating on the outside more important? Underneath aluminum?

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HomeSealed
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Re: Full Frame Install- Always necessary?

#15 Post by HomeSealed »

If the existing water management system (flashing, etc) is functioning properly, and a small amount of glass loss is not an issue, then there is no reason to spend the extra $ on a full tear-out. There is no insulating gain or anything of the sort as long as the insert install is done properly.

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