How To Install Vinyl Windows?

Answer 1

A well-placed window can let in cooling air or warming light right when it’s needed. A window can also add character to any home. They are not trivial to install, however. They require four to six hours of time and hundreds of dollars to complete properly. If they are inserted incorrectly, they can cause drafts, leaks and other structural problems. Below are some general guidelines for installing a window in your home. Make sure to follow the specific instructions particular to your window.

First, mark out where you want to put the window from the inside. Drill nails through the wall so that they are visible from the outside. Then mark lines outside with a carpenter’s square. Cut through the house according to these lines with a circular saw or jigsaw. Remove the exposed drywall. If you are replacing an already installed window, make sure to remove the remnants of the old one, such as the sash and jamb liners. Clean up any cracked or chipped paint and fix any cracks and holes in the wood.

Next, put the window in place and cut again if necessary. You will need to make sure no moisture can enter through the edges of the window, so add moisture seal around the window frame.

Put pairs of shims at the bottom of the window and make sure they are straight. Nail them down carefully so that they don’t break, and cut them until they are flush with the edges of the walls.

Next, fit the window in the opening. Make sure it is properly centered and level in the hole, and nail through the flange or trim in one of the upper corners. Put outside trim around the window according to the manufacturer’s instructions, especially if any caulking is necessary.

Inside, use the shims to make sure the window fits in the opening properly. Stuff any open space with insulation and cut off the shims so that they are equal with the inside wall. You could also use polyurethane foam instead of fiberglass insulation. Finish the window by adding inside trim or molding. Prime and paint the new window and trip as necessary given the color scheme of the house.

Answer 2

Old wooden windows can allow air to seep through to the inside while it is drawing the heat or cold air out of your home. They don’t provide very good insulation and you constantly have to maintenance them. Replacing those old wooden windows with new vinyl windows will prove to be energy efficient, they will look better, and you don’t have to worry with having to maintenance them. Here is a good to show you how to replace your windows.

First decide on the style of window you would like to purchase. Decide if you would prefer the easier to clean windows or the one’s that require you to crank the window open. Then in order to get an accurate measurement so you can purchase the right size vinyl window, take the interior trim off around the existing window to reveal the opening. Measure the height and width of the opening and then you are set to order your new windows.

To remove the old window, take away the trim both inside and out. Cut through any nails holding the window in place. Next remove all the old caulking around the edges of the window. Once that is done, check to make sure the framing that the window will go in is in good shape and if need be repair any damaged portions. Now you want to clean the opening and make sure it is free of debris or nails.

Before you install the new window, apply a generous amount of caulking around the windowsill. You now want to move outside and lift the new window up and place it in the opening. Drive a nail halfway into the nail flange to somewhat secure the window. The reason for this is so you can use a level to make sure it is properly placed. You can also use shims to help hold the window in place while you are getting it level.

Now check the outside and make sure the window functions as it should. If all is working correctly, then drive a 2 inch nail into the shims to secure the window. Then you can move to nailing the window in place by nailing in the flange on the exterior side with 3 inch nails. Once you have finished that you will want to install some insulation around the window to make sure it is air tight. You can use either spray foam or fiberglass. As you complete that step you can then attach the trim both inside and out.