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| Author: | getting started |
| Subject: | new construction vs replacement windows |
| Posted At: | 2004-09-04 15:07:38 |
just discovered this site. Interesting reading. Hope to find help with my questions.
I'm installing new vinyl siding on my house (over the existing hardboard siding that disintegrates like cardboard.) While I'm at it, thought that I would put in new windows too - and for exterior maintenance free, want either aluminum clad or vinyl.
1) in the aluminum clad vs vinyl window, does it really boil down to a matter of personal preference, or does one have a disinct advantage over the other?
2) does the issue of "new construction" window vs "replacement" wndow boil down to how much labor you want to tackle, or does one have a distinct advantage over the other. e.g. does the new construction window have a better seal?
3) If I go new construction, will I run into any problems with the installation - specifically, although I haven't taken any of the exterior brick mold off yet, I assume that the existing hardboard siding just butts-up flush with the brick-mold. But if it sits underneath, will I have to cut it out. I had planned on cutting out the entire existing window, but I'm not sure if its nail-fin was nailed to the frame of whether its was nailed over the 1/2" insulated sheathing. If it's nailed over the sheating, can I do the same with the new construction window or will that cause me to be 1/2" short on the interior jam? Thun, sorry for lenght, when I put my J-channel around the window, will the J extend out beyond the window, and if so, is that OK
4) Finally, just simple question, new construction cost less or more than replacements (not conting labor)
5) oops, two more, anyone heard of Lincoln, Windsor, or Reliabilt
6) If I have one opening that has multiple "windows", "mulled" together, what type of "look" will I get. Right now with my wood windows, I have about a 3" wide piece of oak trim that separates them. Will I have 3" of gaudy vinyl to look at?
| Author: | E-Z |
| In Reply To: | new construction vs replacement windows (posted by getting started) |
| Subject: | RE: new construction vs replacement windows |
| Posted At: | 2004-09-04 15:58:03 |
You already sound like a window installer.... can YOU answer my questions??....LOL
I am in the middle of a project were the customer is replacing their siding as i do the windows. I recomended to them that since they were installing vinyl siding to go with a new construction installation, not because is abetter method or worst as two methods have potential for failure if not done properly but because if they were going to have the exterior gutted there was no problem of extra labor involved in opening up the area.
1. Aluminum Clad windows have a wood interior if you are going for the wood look on the inside then you should go with that. If you want vinyl on the inside as well as on the outside then vinyl is the ticket is a matter of what look you want.
2. In this case it does not boil down to labor because you will have the place open on the outside, the way o look at it retrofitting would not be practical in this case.
3. This is a very good question. In our case we had t 1-11 vertical siding and i contemplated cutting it to install the window up to the 2x4 wall, but we didn't because the j channel was going to sit short about a 1/2 inch because of the depth of the window so we decided to install the window with the nail fin to the siding, membrane papered it and then the siding guys are going to flash the siding before putting up the vinyl sidding. We checked with our local building department and they approved this method i suggest you check with yours as every city is different.We are trimming the inside with vinyl so the jamb size was not an issue. If you go aluminum clad they have jamb extensions available when you buy your windows. If yu go vinyl and want to jamb and case then you can cut to fit jamb material on a table saw and install moulding and sill as needed.
4. Cost? on vinyl no they are about the same new construction or retrofit. Aluminum clad to my knowledge they only come in standard sizes if they do custom they would be more expensive.
5.I havent heard of those brands but that does not mean anything i am in california.
6 yes you will have a space between them.
Thank you for your great posting and hope this helps.
E-z
http://www.eazywindows.com
| Author: | Guy |
| In Reply To: | new construction vs replacement windows (posted by getting started) |
| Subject: | RE: new construction vs replacement windows |
| Posted At: | 2004-09-05 15:43:39 |
Well if nothing you'll have your hands full doing it yourself.
Vinyl vs alum is somewhat a preference to the individual. Both can be clad, vinyl - Andersen or aluminum - Marvin as examples. You can also just have a vinyl solid as any newer style replacement would be. The only thing I don't like about an extruded aluminum here in MN is hail damage. Hail can pound the frame pretty bad. Vinyly has it's draw backs but nothing significant. One positive feature for either one is they can be made to fit your openings (for a fee) and your jamb extensions will be applied. Saving the time of jambing them and trim work. Apples for apples though either way is fine.
Replacement Insert vs Total Opening Replacement can offer tremendous advantages. Total Opening is by far better than inserts. You will need to be very accurate on your dimensions though. Your new windows should be ordered so the nail fin sits where your existing brickmold sits. Make sure and follow the installation procedure required for the window you install. The Total Opening installation should provide you a better seal and diminish any air infiltration. Your existing wood windows I'm sure are leaking bigtime!
The installation will all depend on the measurements of your new windows. If done right as I said before they should slide right back in the hole. EZ's comment on some kind of window tape or flashing is very important! This will add another great seal. I would recommend cutting your siding back around each opening about six inches so you can tape it off properly. After you've done this you can cut strips of OSB or plywood to fill the gaps. This will cover the gap you've opened and level off your wall for the siding. This also gives you another barrier. You should also attach a drip cap above each window before covering the gaps up. I don't know if you have a LAP siding or SHIP LAP style. One lays real flat on the wall and the other is stepped. If you have the flat style your in great shape. The lap will require a bit of fudging to get the new J-Bead in the right spot.
I'm sure your existing siding only butts the brickmold. Not often does it get installed before the window! If it is behind the existing window. I would cut it back so water penetration stays out of the equation. Either way for how the J-Bead will butt the new window. If it protrudes caulk inside the lip. If it's recessed caulk it to the window outside. It's been done either way. The tough time is caulking it when it's flush.
Cost will more than likely be the same for either application, finned or not. I've only used the Windsor window out of your choices. I think they are a good window! You can order them with your wood or vinyl jamb extensions pre-applied in the factory. Saves a bunch of time. It makes them a bit heavier though on the install.
Your existing windows with the three inch mulls are one of two things. Either they are huge mulls or you have seperate windows with studs running inside each mull. If this is the case remove your trim and find out if they are load bearing studs. If you have a continuous header across the top you can more than likely remove the studs and install a normal unit. Just make sure you know the difference or call a pro to help you out.
Sorry for the novel! My fearless leader Oberon has taught me well. There are just a lot of tangibles to deal with. I hope I covered most of them. Good Luck!!!!
Guy
| Author: | new construction #2 |
| In Reply To: | RE: new construction vs replacement windows (posted by Guy) |
| Subject: | RE: new construction vs replacement windows |
| Posted At: | 2004-09-05 16:31:56 |
Thanks for the tips guy(s).
Regarding your last point, I did remove the interior trim. Although close to a full 3", what separates the existing "mulled" window are not load-bearing studs. Appear to be just part of the original manufactured window.
Existing windows are wood Windsor. Have a bid for a vinyl Windsor. Will they manufacture the vinyl window so that I don't have a 3" "block" of vinyl separating the mulled windows?
| Author: | Guy |
| In Reply To: | RE: new construction vs replacement windows (posted by new construction #2) |
| Subject: | RE: new construction vs replacement windows |
| Posted At: | 2004-09-05 17:28:47 |
Your still going to have around three inches at the mull. You have multiple units being fixed together. So three inches is about normal.