HomeReplacementWindows.net
Question about buying a replacement windows.?
Will you be able to find an exact window size as the one you measured at your home? Are they going to customize it or you'll have to go a bit smaller size than what you had measured. How small should you go down. I understand it will be lesser 1/4 inch on what you had measured.
Public Comments
- The window dealer will order the windows for you in the appropriate size, then the manufacturer will custom make them to fit your home.
- If you are looking in a Home center then you will only find "stock sizes" which normally are not the size you need.You will have to order what you need.I would suggest if you are going install them your self that you measure the "box". This is the inside of window area ("the box") to with in 1/8 of an inch.You need to measure the width and height. The size is expressed with the height as the first figure. Once you have the measurements , go to the the home center give them the sizes and state that the measurements are "tip to tip". Decide before you go in which style of window you want.e.g. casement, double hung.The process of installing is as follows:remove the trim inside then remove the "stops"(these are the wood pieces that hold the sashes in place).Remove the sashes, weights, ropes or chains.Do not remove the outer stops. You now have an empty "box". Read the instructions that are supplied with the new window.Dry fit your new window.Once you see that it fits properly, remove the new window and caulk the inside of the outer stop. Install your new window and press firmly in to the caulk.Once you have made the adjustments according to instructions,you will caulk the window between the window and the box. Now you can re install the trim that you removed previously.Note: you may have to install a stop at the bottom of the window on the outside at the sill.
- They will be made to order...remember one thing though, in years past if you wanted the appearance of panes, they were usually mounted outside the window, but now most are installed between the glass by the manufacturer, so you must decide before you order.
- This is what you do....
-Take off the trim around the window on the inside of the house, and measure the "rough opening" which is the dimensions of the framing around the window.
-make phone calls to places that sell windows and see if you can get a window for that size opening, if you can find one, it will be very easy, if not, you can do one of several things.
1. Special order on to the dimensions you need which may take a few weeks
2. Re-frame the window larger, big headache
3. Find a window that is 1 inch narrower than the window you have now, but the same height, pad out the sides of the frame slightly by 1/2 inch on each side, after centering the window, you will have a gap between the window and where the siding was before, you can cut back the siding further and fill it with azek board, or anderson vinyl board for a nice solid border on the sides of the window around which you can put new j chanel if needed, otherwise just caulk it. On the inside of the house, you can use wider trim to cover the old paint lines on the sheetrock where the old trim was.
- Don't get sucked into the window game! If you home is newer than the windows will likely be within standard sizes. Now if they aren't then there's only two ways to go: (1) is you special order the window and take your special wallet with you to pay for it, or (2) you utilize the standard size window and incorporate it into the existing opening. For me to tell you what is the better of the two options I need to know alittle more about your home and a photo will tell me a thousand words. The last window jobs I did was were in Florida and one house was masonry, built in the early 50's and one was frame (wood) construction. I had to special order the masonry houses windows and they told me the prices and conveyed the, "at least" two week wait time. I opted to use the standard size windows, off the shelf, and recut the opnings to fit pretty easily. The job trimmed out with not much labor and material and almost balanced out considering the special orders price tag. The frame house was even naturally easier.
If you're considering on having this done you can get good quality energy efficient windows for an average price of $300. per and the install rate should be $175 to $275 complete inclusive of any extra work to make them fit and finished. BEWARE of Home Depots at home services, Sears and the others. They are ridiculously priced on these products and services they offer.
If I can be of more help to you don't hesitate to ask. Just use this media or go to my website and email me from there.
Mike Lonergan
TradesProfessional, Inc
http://tradesprofessional. us
http://tradesprofessional. com
