Replacing your metal windows with climate vinyl windows

Here are all the steps required to properly replace your old wood sash windows with energy efficient climate vinyl windows. I informed you how to measure for the new windows. Then we discussed removing the hardwood sashes and parting bead. Finally, I told you how exactly to install, seal, and trim the vinyl alternative climate window repair. But, what if those older windows in your home are constructed with aluminum instead of wood? Is the process the same? No, it’s not the same at all. So, the next few content articles are going to clarify the distinctions between replacing wood windows versus aluminum windows.

When discussing the proper frame style for replacing the solid wood sash windows, I explained the distinction between fresh construction frames versus replacement frames. When replacing light weight aluminum windows, there is another option we have to consider relating to body style. It’s called a “retrofit” frame. Let’s go over each frame type. First, we have the brand new construction framework with the nailing fin. If you choose to move this route, you have to remove the exterior around each home window opening, pull out the nails holding the lightweight aluminum screen to the studs, nail in the new vinyl window, apply flashing, caulk, and re-install the exterior around each windows.(I actually get tired just talking about it!)In addition to being a whole lot of labor, you can run into major problems trying to install the exterior product around each windowpane opening. If your home provides stucco, you need to try and match the rest of the stucco. It can be done, but not by you. Actually most expert stucco guys can’t get a perfect match. What if you have real wood siding? Well, it is possible to cut away 2″ of the siding around each home window to get to the nail fin, then you can utilize 1 X 2 or 1 X 3 trim around each screen. Definitely not as much are the stucco home, but probably more work than the average home owner cares to deal with. Imagine if each windowpane is surrounded by brick? You would have to take away the bricks, then re-install them all when finished.

Trust me, you don’t want to substitute your old aluminum windows with new construction vinyl windows. You need to use either the substitute frame like the one used to replace the wood sash windows, or something known as a retrofit body , that is popular in the west where stucco is a common exterior. Since the procedure for measuring is the same regardless of the frame design chosen, this article will discuss the correct measuring procedure, and future articles will describe the difference in the installation process for replacement versus retrofit.

If you look at the portion of the aluminum frame that goes around the window starting into your surrounding walls, you will see three separate “legs” that form two pockets. The outside leg and the center leg form the first pocket. Your display screen and stationary panel will be in this pocket. The center leg and inside leg form the second pocket, and your sliding panel is in that pocket. Find the “leg” that is the widest on all four sides. When measuring the width, run your tape measure from the widest leg on the still left to the widest leg on the right. This should be the narrowest measurement. Then, subtract 3/8″ from that measurement. This is the width of the substitute window. Measure the height exactly the same way. When calculating the height, measure as close to the center of the window as possible. That is especially important on windows wider than six foot, because the top timber header has a tendency to sag over time, making the biggest market of the opening the narrowest. You don’t need to deduct 3/8″ from the height like you did on the width. 1/4″ is fine. These are the measurements you use when buying your vinyl windows. For those who have any picture windows(windows without a vent panel), presently there will only be two hip and legs and one pocket. You nevertheless measure the same way.