REMODELING ARTICLE - REPLACING WINDOWS

Basically there are three main reasons to exchange the windows in a home; energy conservation, damage and style. At Nandemoya, Inc. we receive many calls in autumn to replace old windows in residential homes with new energy efficient ones. Although I suggest doing this in the summer or late spring, it is never a bad time to think about the benefits of new windows.

With recent technology, windows have come long way. The ability to regulate heat loss or gain in your house can be greatly improved by replacing old windows with new ones. With the right kind of windows, the average home owner can save 27 - 38 percent on their heating bill and 16 - 32 percent on cooling costs*. With the price of electricity and gas going up, this can present a large annual savings.

Another reason you might want to change the windows in your home may be that the existing ones are in poor shape and are causing damage to your home. For instance, aluminum window frames are often cold and contact with the warm air in a house can cause condensation, much like you see on a glass of ice water on a warm day. This condensation can bleed down the frame causing water damage to the window sills. Leaking window  panes can also cause water damage to the seals of the window and damage to its frame. And leaking around the frame can cause drafts and water damage to the walls and the structure of a home. This can lead to dry rot and a small fortune in repairs.

With many styles to choose from and many companies that make windows, it can be difficult deciding what style of window to choose. Especially when these styles can very greatly in price. It all depends on what type of glass is used, the style and look of the window, energy efficiency, the type of materials used to make the frames, and warranties offered by the manufacturer.

To help decide what type of window you want, it is important to look at what the windows are made of. There are basically four types of materials used by manufacturers when building frames. These are aluminum, steel, vinyl and wood frames, and they are sometimes used in conjunction with one another.

Aluminum frame windows are usually inexpensive. However they bleed due to condensation and come in very few styles. They were popular in building for a period because of their low cost and ease of installation. Now they are mostly used in Industrial applications where the builder is keeping costs low.

Steel frame windows are sometimes used in homes but, more often than not, they are used in commercial applications. They are very versatile and practical, using all types of window panes, being very weather resistant, extremely durable and energy conserving. However, they are also priced on the high end and do not come in as many styles as do vinyl and wood.

Vinyl frame windows are inexpensive to moderately priced, come in many styles, are long lasting and require zero maintenance. They are the most cost-effective alternative in windows and the most readily available. A do-it-yourselfer can purchase these types in common sizes at your local home improvement center (Home Depot). For special sizes and styles it usually takes two to six weeks to have them made and shipped.

Wood frame windows are very attractive and come in the largest variety of styles. They are moderate to expensive in price and tend to be high maintenance. There are many more options with wood windows when it comes to styles and finishes. Manufacturers also make wood windows that are clad with metal or vinyl on the outside to protect them from damage caused by weather.

Now you will need to think about what type of glass is best for the application in your home. There are many types and thicknesses of glass. Too many to list in this article, so I have stuck with the most common. Basically, windows are made with two different types of glass panes, single or double. And additions to these panes can be made such as Low-E, smoke and/or tinting.

Single pain windows are not used any more in new construction. They are mostly in older homes or buildings. The nice thing about single pane windows is they are usually easy to repair. Single panes are held into the frame with glazing. The pane is set into a wood or aluminum frame and glazing is tooled around its edges at an angle. This glazing will harden and hold the window securely into its frame. So replacing these panes is simple in theory, just remove the glazing, glass, scrap the frame if needed, install a new glass pane ( which can be ordered from a local glass or home improvement store ) and apply the glazing to match the rest of the window frame configuration.

Double pane windows are two pieces of glass with a gap of air (or gas, Argon for instance) between them. This gap of air provides a vapor barrier to help prevent heat loss and moisture due to condensation. These panes are the most commonly used in all types of building structures worldwide.

Additions can be made to ordinary glass. For instance, Low-E is an energy-saving glass, designed to perform in all seasons to improve your home’s year-round comfort level and save money. Direct sunlight enters and brightens your home, while invisible radiant heat rays are not allowed to penetrate the glass surface and are reflected back to their source. This keeps out the summer's heat but allows the sun to warm us in winter. Low-E glass also blocks out many of the sun's harmful ultra violet rays that fade all kinds of fabric.

Smoked glass is popular where too much light is an issue and shading is desired. This type of glass is made at the factory and is actually an additive into the glass itself. This makes it more expensive than tinted film, however it has one major advantage over tinting. Tinting usually is done with a film that is laid on top of the glass. This film needs to be placed on the exterior of the window causing weathering to the film, ruining the transparency of the window. The reason the tinting must be placed on the outside of a window (double pane) is because when installed on the inside the tinting reflects the heat and light back into the window pane. Much of this heat remains within the window, causing the gas between the panes to expand. This can lead to cracked glass or broken seals, allowing moisture to gather on the inside of the window pane.

The type of window you want will determine it’s price and availability. For example, vinyl frame windows are available at your local home improvement store right off the shelf. Wood frame windows usually require a special order. The same applies to special requests for types of glass. Thicker or smoked glass will require special order, however many windows stocked at local home improvement centers already include Low-E glass. And of course, the more complex the design of the window frame and the more additions to the glass, the higher the price will be.

Do not forget about quality! Take your time and look around. Retrofitting your home with new windows is very costly. If you plan to do it, do it right. Spend the little extra cash and get the higher quality windows. This will not increase the installation costs. In fact if you buy them through your installer you may get a break on installation because of the sale of the windows. If you plan on installing them yourself, know exactly what type of windows you want and shop around. The internet or the phone book is a good start.


Retrofitting Windows in Residential Construction

Removal: First you must remove the old window. Start with removing the siding from around the window. Under the  siding there should be what is referred to as the vapor barrier, peel this back enough to expose the entire window frame. There should be plywood or some type of sheeting under this vapor barrier. Now go inside the house and remove the casing from around the interior of the window. At this point you need to determine if the window has a nail fin. Simply look at the window from the exterior. If the window has a ledge (fin) that is nailed flush to the plywood underlayment, it has a nail fin. If it does not, it is screwed or nailed into the wall studs from the inside of the window frame.

For windows with nail fins, slide a pry bar under the fin and gently begin to pry.** Work around the window frame prying up the fin a little at a time. Take your time, you do not want to ply too much in one spot and risk breaking the glass which will make a big mess and can be dangerous. I usually start around the top and sides of the window and move to the bottom. You will find it is easier to ply the remaining nails out from the bottom than the top. It should come out without too much effort. If you are working with a large window ask someone to assist you when removing the window.

For windows without a nail fin (usually wood frame windows) slide a reciprocating saw (sawsall) between the window frame and  wall framing. Using a bi-metal blade, cut the nails or screws that secure the window frame to the wall studs. Be sure to cut around the bottom first, leaving the top for last. This is a very tricky procedure so take your time and be sure to wear the proper safety equipment. Once all the nails or screws are cut, remove the saw and gentle push the window out with a person on the other side to catch it and prevent it from falling.

Installation: Now that the old window is out, I suggest placing a level on the framing sill. This is just to give you a heads-up on how much you will need to level the window when setting it into place. Place the new window in the framing***. Make sure the bottom of the window is at the proper height from the floor to match all the other windows. Level the window using cedar shims available at your local home improvement store. Tuck the existing or new vapor barrier under the nail fin and, using roofing nails, tack the nail fin (most new windows come with nail fins) into the exterior sheeting. Do a double-check on the level and height of window. If everything checks out, continue nailing in the fin, placing nails no more than 6” apart from one another. Then install window flashing over the top of the nail fin overlapping the vapor barrier. This comes in a self-adhesive roll available at your local home center. Install siding back around the window and caulk the seam between the siding and the window frame with a paintable silicon latex caulk. Touch up the siding as needed with exterior spackle and paint.

If you wish to change the sizes of the windows, you will need to do some re-framing of the walls. This will require sheet rock and siding, as well as framing experience. I do not suggest you attempt changing sizes unless you have a good understanding of framing and load bearing walls. I would suggest calling a General or Framing Contractor if you have any concerns or questions about size changes.

In all do-it-yourself projects, be sure to use the proper safety equipment. Home projects are fun and can save you money only if you do not get hurt. Wear gloves, eye and ear protection, a hat and use the proper ladder, if needed. Most importantly, take your time and have fun!

Notes:
* For more information on efficient window and their benefits check out this web site: www.efficientwindows.org
** Contractor tip: I often use two pry bars (spaced 6'' or more apart) and a hammer to gently tap the pry bars under the nail fin.
*** When you purchase the windows you need to know the rough opening the window will fit into. This is the opening built into the framing that the window frame will sit. This can be determined by removing the casing around the window on the inside of your home and measuring the existing window.