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| Author: | David |
| Subject: | The Honda Civic of Vinyl Replacement Windows |
| Posted At: | 2004-08-13 16:48:54 |
All,
First of all, I want to thank all contributors to this discussion site. I have learned a lot and I think I saved myself from making a big mistake, Pella windows installed by Lowes.
I currently live in a "starter" home that was built in the mid 80's. The current windows are double-paned, but several of them are fogging and the mechanics are simply horrible; I can not open over 50% of the windows. Since this is a starter home, and I don't expect to live here more the 10 years, I don't want to buy top of the line windows. I am looking for the "Honda Civic" of windows, good price, decent quality, basic mechanics without the bells and whistles. Based on research on this site, it seems that either Certainteed and Simonton will fit the bill. Would this be an accurate statement?
I too am interested in installing my own windows (primarily for cost factor, but also for the pride of doing my own work). At the risk of starting another heated discussion(See "necessary to purchaseINSTALLATION w/ window"), how difficult is it to install replacement windows? I am a competent handyman (install toilets, lights, floors in my home), and reading the installation guides makes it seem straight forward as long as you make accurate measurements. Although, how accurate are the installation guides? What problems could I encounter that these guides do not cover?
Thanks for any help that is provided.
| Author: | Guy |
| In Reply To: | The Honda Civic of Vinyl Replacement Windows (posted by David) |
| Subject: | RE: The Honda Civic of Vinyl Replacement Windows |
| Posted At: | 2004-08-13 18:27:49 |
If you have a double or single hung window it's easier to do. If you have sliders the game can change. What style do you have?
| Author: | David |
| In Reply To: | RE: The Honda Civic of Vinyl Replacement Windows (posted by Guy) |
| Subject: | RE: The Honda Civic of Vinyl Replacement Windows |
| Posted At: | 2004-08-13 18:35:57 |
Just plan on having double hung windows that are approximately 35 x 58 inches. Nothing fancy.
| Author: | E-z |
| In Reply To: | RE: The Honda Civic of Vinyl Replacement Windows (posted by David) |
| Subject: | RE: The Honda Civic of Vinyl Replacement Windows |
| Posted At: | 2004-08-15 04:57:46 |
David may the force be with you. lol
Installation instructions that come with windows are sually printed for a new construction application.
For a retrofit application for replacing existing wood windows with vinyl windows (wich if you look at my website under "windows" youll see that you save money and save on tons of work by retrofitting also you keep the original look")you do the following:
First and most important make sure to measure right. open up your existing wood sash and measure from interior jamb to interior jamb and deduct 1/4 " for your widht.
Measure for height by putting your tape measure right where the bottom sash touches your sill, note your slope sill not your interior sill, and up to the head jamb and deduct 3/8". Make sure to order your windows block frame with a slope sill adapter. that will save you work on the exterior bottom of your new windows as they will be a gap if you dont order with it because your existing sloped wood sill.
Once you have the windows in make sure to double check your measurements with your new windows before you start pulling the old windows.
To remove your old windows make sure you cut the paint on your stops with your utility knife both by your sash and by the moulding. With a pry bar pry the ever so carefully until you have them out label them if you are going to re install them if you are going to put new ones then go loco on them.
Once you have removed them take the bottom sash out and cut the cords that hold them to the weights, you cant see the weights but you will hear them drop as soon as you cut them. Now go for the top sash wich is usually painted shut go on the out side and cut the paint around the sash right where your blind stop hits your top sash(sash means vent)
Now go inside and pry these pieces of wood in your side jambs and head jamb that seem to hold the top sash in place they are about 1/4 inch by 1/2 inch.
Once you have done that pull at the bottom of the top sash and slide down and cut the cords to take the top sash out clean your opening and inspect your wood also sand all the old paint rough edges this will make for less obstruction for your caulking by the time you are at the finishing stages.
Now bring your window and dry fit it wich means trow it in the hole fit it in see if you need to sand some mor or maybe you forgot to pry a nail and you may have to make adjustments. if is all a go pull the window out and caulk the piece of wood your window will touch up against.Put another bead right at the bottom sill and the install your window screw it in make sure to counter sink your screws and that they are not going to interfere with the window mechanisms.
Check your top reveals first and your bottom reveals you do this by almost closing your top sahs and bottom sash to stopping about a quarter of an inch befor closing, that will tell you if your window is square if the reveals are straight . re install your stops and apply painters caulking on them wipe it with a wet rag.
Go outside and caulk the perimeter around the window i personally do not caulk the bottoms because if my window was to leak or fail the slopped sill will do its job but some installers do so i think is up to you. Clean the glass wait 24 hours to paint and that is it you have new windows in. Congratumalations. Good luck!!
E-z
E-z Windows
www.eazywindows.com