I just installed 22 replacement windows - ask me anything

[Jersey Devil]

I love the idea of a DIY forum since projects around the house help me relax and break the tension and anxiety of my regular job.

[Philostopher]

1. It is a great idea ...

although I imagine it'll probably be a little thin on traffic while the weather's cold here in the northeast. We'll be doing some things next year -- we bought a 50-year-old house, so there's always stuff we could be doing, it's just that winter hampers us on many things. We had some soft-wood maples taken out recently and plan on doing some landscaping in the spring ... we need to refinish the hardwood floor in one room ... need to redo an upstairs bathroom ... all deferred until the weather warms up, but I'm glad to have a place I can come and throw questions at other people who've done these things before!

[Lugnut]

2. Congrats!

What kind of windows did you install?

Our house is 38 years old....was new when we got married in 1966. There are a lot of projects my husband and I will tackle but new windows wasn't one of them. We hired somebody to install new windows on the back of the house in 2000 then did the front windows in 2001. I love them! They are thermal pane double hungs that flip out for cleaning and sure beat the old double hungs with storm windows.

[Jersey Devil]

3. Pella Thermastar with low E double hung

They also are double thermal pane that flip in for cleaning. I also like the fact that the separations to give it a colonial style are between the windows so they never get dirty and don't get in the way of cleaning like conventional 6 over 6 windows.

Window replacement is a lot easier than you think. Basically all you have to do is measure correctly. Everything else is a piece of cake. You just remove the stop trim on the inside (the thin trim on top and at the sides, not the whole woodwork), take out the old windows, lay down a bead of caulk, put the new windows in place (shimming if necessary but I didn't have to do much of that), stuff some insulation in, screw them in with 6 screws for each window and then caulk on the outside. Replace the stop molding (and I was able to use most of what I had removed without replacing them) and you are done.

By the time I got past the first 4-5 windows I had it down to about 1.5 hrs per window from start to finish.

Of course if you have a real old house with warped window openings or need to replace rotten sills, etc., it could be a lot more complex, but the average handyman can do this job easily in my opinion.

I also found, by pricing it out, that most window companies charge about 3 times the cost of the window for each window you have replaced. My windows cost me about $6,000, so I figure I saved at least $12,000.

[Lugnut]

5. Our old windows were

The old individual pane wood windows with storm windows. I was thrilled to lose those. I'll bet those Pellas are fantastic.

After watching the installer put the new windows in it didn't look all that complicated to me. My husband works in a road construction related operation so summer is his busy time. Unfortunately a lot of projects we could probably do ourselves has to be done by a contractor because my husband really doesn't have the time to do it when the weather is warm.

I think tackling a major project on your own is so rewarding and there is so much help available both online and at the big box stores. I took a ceramic tile class at Lowes and tiled my kitchen counter and backsplash myself.

[Nite Owl]

7. Was that difficult to do?

That seems like something I could try. We have a bathroom down in the basement that has some strange color choices by the previous owner. Do you need to rent one of those wet saws for regular tiles?

[Lugnut]

10. Actually, no.

I used a plain old inexpensive manual tile cutter. What really helped me tremendously was my Dremel rotary tool. I got a tile cutter bit and it made the odd cuts very easy to do. The cuts for the backsplash receptacles as well as the countertop stove unit and sink would've been impossible without the Dremel. The job was very time consuming measurement-wise and labor intensive but pretty easy.

I'd like to tile my kitchen floor, too. Porcelain floor tile installation would require renting a wet saw since those tiles are much thicker.

[Nite Owl]

11. Thanks

I think I have the Dremel or at least I did before we moved in here. I just have to find it down there somewhere. Next time I'm at Lowe's I'm going to check out their classes too.

[Lugnut]

13. The tile guy at Lowes

Was very helpful. I was concerned about the adhesion of the countertop and backsplash formica since it had a shiny finish. He told me to rough it up with sandpaper to give it "tooth". It worked very well. Good luck. :)

[mopinko]

22. nah

you can snap quarry tile, any kind of tile. stone, that you need a wet saw for.

[stevebreeze]

4. Anything?

OK in installing a 180 degree 84 in radius stair that is 44 wide and has 15 treads in the curved area, how wide are the treads? OK so I am being a smart ass. I do that for a living. But I also do a lot of handy-crap around the house and also have questions often. I think this forum is a great idea.
:kick:

[Longhorn]

14. Just make sure they don't come to a point at the curve, as ours do!

It's dangerous! We live in a "homeowner-built" house and it has caused quite a bit of swearing from my husband, who is a remodeling contractor and cabinet-builder/woodworker. Before we recarpeted the stairs, he put a lip on the front of each step to give them more depth and make them safer. It looks pretty cool, too!

[stevebreeze]

18. most building codes require 6 inches of tread at the narrowest point

though not everywhere adheres to codes

[Longhorn]

19. There is much to be desired in this house as far as code goes;

hence,the cussing! :D

[displacedtexan]

20. Those are called "Suicide Stairs."

We had a back staircase once(servants had used it), and the Historical Society prez told me about those suicide steps--- the ones that turn corners with pie-shaped treads.

Oh, well. It's just the servants, after all.

</sarcasm>

[NMDemDist2]

6. don't think my window job would be quite that simple

but we need to overlay the roof before we tackle windows anyway

[Jersey Devil]

8. Try one window and see

Heck, that's what I did. After seeing how easy it was I just kept doing them until I was done. Several were stock size so I'd buy two at a time and bring them home and install them. The rest I ordered to measurement at Lowes and they delivered them to me.

http://www.lowes.com/lkn?action=howTo&p=Improve/RepWindow&rn=RightNavFiles/rightNavHowTo

[NMDemDist2]

9. I agree old sash windows are a breeze, did them in a house in CA

these are aluminum in stucco

bit more of a challenge

[SW FL Dem]

12. That's what we have too

Is your house built of concrete block or wood? Ours is concrete block, the windows are topped with poured concrete, making a simple thing like hanging curtains or blinds a MAJOR project. You need a hammer drill and concrete screws, which of course don't fit into the brackets. Our windows are somewhat insulated but since its a tract home, the builder used the cheapest possible materials. I would love to replace the windows with ones that meet the newest hurricane codes, but I am afraid the job would be overwhelming.

[Longhorn]

15. We need to replace all of our windows.

The springs are broken on all of them -- I don't know if on purpose or they were just too heavy -- so they weigh a ton to open and then we have to prop them open with a stick! When my husband remodeled our office, he put in some crank-out windows that are really nice and he has two more for the sunroom. We're taking it one room at a time, probably headed to our bedroom next since we're the only ones who live here.

[Pathwalker]

16. I want to replace my slider with French Doors.

What can you tell me about the screen systems for French doors? My problem is that my 8' sliding door needs replacing, but the price for an 8' slider STARTS at over $1000.00. French doors are a cheaper altenative, and I figure I can either use three 32" French Doors, or two 36" doors, with two 12" side lights, one on each side.
The reason I'm interested in the French Doors is that it would increase the amount of scren space would increase, but I don't know what screening they use.

Anyone here know anything about that?

Thank you for your responses.

[Jersey Devil]

17. You can get retractable screens

that slide together (and held in place with a magnet) when you are using them or retract into a casing (like an awning) when not using them, either vertically or horizontally. Never installed them myself but have seen them.

[Kolesar]

21. Did you consider any sort of "solar/heat shield layer" on the surfaces?

Manufacturers specify lower heat losses (higher R value) with a coating annealed to the exterior and interior glass surfaces. It keeps the summer sun out and the winter heat in. They claim R-values of R-5 or more.

[Stuckinthebush]

23. I have 11 that need to be replaced

These are old, 1950's era metal windows...heavy as hell.

I had a contractor look at it and there is no way I can afford it right now. If I did it myself, it might be more financially manageable....but I am scared!

The things are very heavy, and I worry that the openings won't be standard or square. Any advice to help me tackle the job myself?

[Jersey Devil]

24. Try one window and see how it goes

That's how I started. I chose a small bathroom window in the back of the house. The stores have free brochures to show you how to measure, then just measure and remove the old window. The worst that can happen is that you will have to hire someone to replace one window if you can't do it yourself.

I don't see what difference there would be if your old windows are metal except that you might have to drill through metal frames for the screws. If they are not square you just shim them.