How to Replace an Old Window in Your Home
By Mark Donovan

A Guide to Installing a New Window in Your Home

If your old wooden window is drafty, does not open or close well, or is showing signs of water damage and decay, it is probably time to think about replacing it with a new state-of-the-art Low-E glass, vinyl clad window.

Also, if the glass pane associated with your existing old wooden window is foggy or you can feel cold drafts during the winter months emanating out from around it, or you need to hold it open during the summer months with a prop of some sort then it is definitely time to replace it.

Replacing an old window is something a Do It Yourself homeowner can tackle with some basic carpenters knowledge and a few basic carpentry tools that you probably already have in your home.

Purchasing the Proper New Window

Prior to installing a new window you first need to figure out what size window to purchase. The key parameter required when ordering a new window is its rough opening. This is specified by the window manufacturer and tells you how large of an opening you need for installing a specific window. Typically the rough opening is 1 to 2 inches taller and wider than the actual window itself.

You may need to remove the interior trim from around the old window to obtain the rough opening dimensions for your new window.

Make sure you purchase a new window that has rough opening requirements that are equal to or smaller than your measurements.

Removal of the Old Window

Once you have purchased your new window it is time to remove the old one. Using a hammer and a claw remove the old exterior trim and any nails that may be securing the window to the home. There may be a nailing flange around the perimeter of the old window. Simply use your hammer and claw to remove these nails.

With the nails removed the window should be able to be pulled out of the window frame opening.

Installation of the New Window

With the old window out, it is now time to install the new window. Before, installing the new window, make sure the rough window opening is clear of any debris and any old nails.

Place the new window into the window opening and center it within the window frame.

Use a level and a measuring tape to make sure the window is plumb and square, otherwise the window will not work properly. You may need to add some shims to plumb and square up the new window.

Once the window is plumb and square within the window frame, fasten it with a couple of nails. With most new windows they come with a nailing flange that makes nailing the window to the outside home exterior straightforward.

When nailing the window, start on the upper right hand side and work your way down with just a couple of nails. Check again with the level to make sure the window is level and plumb. Also take one more look on the inside of the window to make sure the window is square and centered.

If the window has remained square and plumb, go ahead and install a couple of additional nails on the other side of the window. Again, one at the top, and the other about halfway down the window.

Then go into the home and remove/cut away the retention bands that held the window square during the window installation. Slide the windows up a down and see if they operate smoothly.

If the window operates smoothly go ahead and add additional nails every 4-6 inches around the nailing flange of the window. If it does not, you may need to remove one or more of the initial nails installed and readjust the window to make sure it is plumb and square.

With the window now installed, add new trimboards around the window perimeter on both the inside and outside of the window and enjoy your new view.

For more information on installing a new window, see the Installing a New Window Ebook from HomeAdditionPlus.com. The Installing a New Window Ebook provides easy to understand, step-by-step instructions, on how to remove an old window and install a new one. Pictures are included for every key step in the process.

About the Author: Over the past 20+ years Mark Donovan has been involved with building homes and additions to homes. His projects have included: building a vacation home, building additions and garages on to existing homes, and finishing unfinished homes. For more home improvement information visit http://www.homeadditionplus.com and http://www.homeaddition.blogspot.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_Donovan

How to Replace Your Windows Like a Pro
By Brooke Sikula

There are many ways to improve the beauty and energy efficiency of your home, but few provide the benefits that replacement windows have to offer. Replacing old windows with new more energy efficient windows can provide instant cost savings, and replacement windows can pay for themselves in a very short period of time.

Replacing your windows, however, is not a job to be taken lightly, and it is important to give such an important project the respect and attention that it deserves. The key to replacing your windows like a pro is to plan properly and to know what you want before you start shopping.

One of the most important things, perhaps the most important thing, to do before replacing your current windows is to measure the windows carefully. The old saw measure twice cut once certainly applies when it comes to replacing windows.

It would be a mistake to assume that all the windows in your home are the same size, even if they look exactly alike. The fact is that window sizes can vary from room to room, or even within the same room. This is especially true with older houses, who may have had their windows replaced by previous owners.

After you have all the measurements you need, it is time to go shopping for the replacement windows you need to complete your project. The prices on replacement windows can vary quite a bit from manufacturer to manufacturer, so it definitely pays to shop around for the best deal.

Of course, quality should be the primary consideration when shopping for replacement windows. After all, the last thing you want to do is replace substandard windows in a few years. Buying the best replacement windows you can afford the first time around is the smartest strategy.

It is also important to determine whether you can do this type of project on your own, or whether you should hire a window contractor to help you with the work. Most experienced carpenters will have little trouble installing their own replacement windows, but those with lesser skills may wish to enlist professional help to get started. If you have a family member or friend who is a good handyman, it may be worth your while to get them involved as well.

Installing replacement windows is not an easy project, but it is by no means outside the skills of the average homeowner. With some planning and some hard work, most people will be able to replace their windows, saving time, money and energy in the process.

Brooke Sikula is a freelance writer based in Ventura, CA and writes on a wide range of topics from home improvement to credit repair and everything in between. She is a regular contributor to http://www.get-home-improvement.com and http://www.credit-card-faq.com

For more information and advice on home improvement projects, check out http://www.home-improvement4u.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brooke_Sikula

New Construction Windows Or Replacement Windows? Which Is Right For You?
By John Rocco

Hello, my name is John Rocco.I grew up around the window and door business. My father owned a glass shop that dealt in every aspect of residential and commercial glass.Naturally, when it came time to choose a profession, I wound up in the window and door business.I have been in the business for about 27 years, and I have been self employed for 20.

One of the things that separated my company from my competitors was my willingness to show my customers how to replace their windows themselves. Whenever I would encounter a customer with a curiosity or willingness to learn how to install their own windows,i would offer to sell them the labor on one window,using them as my helper.Then,they would install the rest of the windows using the knowledge gained from helping me install one.Most window companies would never do this because there is so much money made on the labor.But I was always so busy,i never felt like it was costing me money.

Eventually, I made an installation video for those homeowners who wanted to do their own windows.While the video is for sale on my website, I decided to take excerpts from the video and write an article once a week covering some part of the window replacement project.This article is going to cover the difference between window frames used in new construction homes, and the window frames that are used to replace existing aluminum or wood windows.

When a new home is being built,the windows are nailed to the wood studs that make up the house frame.In order to accomplish this, new construction windows have a fin around all four sides of the frame that rests against the outside of the stud and nails are driven into the studs through the nailing fin. After that,flashing paper is applied to prevent water leaks,then the exterior material is applied. That material can be stucco, brick, siding, etc.

Now,imagine 10 or 20 years later when you want to replace those windows. If you were going to install your replacement windows the same way the original windows were installed, you would have to remove the exterior material around each window in order to get to those nails holding the frame in there. You can see how this procedure could cause many problems, not to mention all the labor involved. I have seen homes in california with stucco exteriors where the homeowner had the stucco cut out in order to remove the old windows.The problem was they were unable to match the stucco colors after patching. Its just not a very efficient way to replace windows. So the replacement frame was designed.

In most parts of the country it's simply a new construction window frame with the nail fin removed. In the west, where stucco is a common home exterior,a retrofit frame was designed. If you're going to be replacing the exterior material on your home, then you might want to consider going with the new construction window since the nailing fins will be exposed anyway. Also, chances are that a contractor will be doing your exterior replacement,and it would be wise to let the contractor install the windows as well.Since my installation videos deal with window replacement only, these articles will focus on replacement frames and retrofit frames. Using these two frame styles,a do it yourselfer can replace their old windows without any damage to existing interior and exterior surfaces. And the job can be done using common tools such as a drill,tape measure, and caulking gun.

In next weeks article,we will discuss the replacement of wood sash windows.

John Rocco has been installing replacement windows since 1978

To learn more, visit http://www.vinylwindowsforless.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Rocco

Window Installation Tips 

1. There are a number of types of windows and frames so it will be crucial to find a match.
   
   
2. When you do decide to replace a window(s) take into consideration the condition of the frame, and the insulation and vapor barriers in the connected walls. If any of these things need to be repaired or replaced they could add to the cost of the project.
   
   
3. Be aware that the job will require caulking and weatherstripping take place as well.
   
   
4. Replacing older windows is often a smart idea and will save the homeowner money down the road. With the current rising heating and energy costs new windows can pay for themselves as they are more efficient in keeping in the heated or cooled air. In fact in many cases new windows can be so efficient that they make the existing heating and cooling systems of the house over sized. Thus if you are also looking into getting a new HVAC system keep in mind that if you have just got new windows or plan to get new windows in the near future this might influence what type of model you need to get.
   
   
5. Keep in mind that if you own an older home that many older paints were lead based and if the project calls for scraping paint it could prove to be hazardous. Be sure to take the proper precautions.
   

Window installation contractors may also provide the following services:

• House Siding
• Decks
• Drywall Installation
• Carpentry
• Doors Installation