My initial perception of window installation involved the very precise, quiet and methodical replacement of windows with new ones. What I actually saw were the controlled demolition of the old window(s) and the subsequent and very focused clean up.
More than meets the eye goes into installing windows and to truly understand what to expect for your window replacement, it is best to understand the process. It is much easier to have an idea of what to expect when your windows are being replaced in the winter time for example. I have no idea how old my windows were but they were old and I am sure that they had been leaky for years. I had no idea that it would take several hours to complete the replacement of all of the windows in the house. I also had no idea that for a couple of hours there would be gaps of air where the old windows used to be. It was a very cold January day when my old windows were replaced and the air was leaking in through 3 of the windows for several hours before they were all finally completed.
Window Installation: How it Works and What to Expect
The typical crew will have no problem finishing a home with 8 to 12 windows in one day. Most windows will be completed in an hour or so to 2 hours, depending on the size of the window. In addition to replacing the windows, they will also paint the window sills and clean up any debris.
While the window installation may be completed quickly, there is a strong possibility that parts of your home will be exposed to the weather. In hot weather this might be fine, but in cold weather it could be a real problem especially if you have pets and are going to be leaving the house for a period of time. Also bear in mind that there will be a large amount of noise and this could be distressing to pets who are left on their own for long periods. It is a good idea to keep your pets in a back room and supply them with plenty of sweaters while the work is in progress.
Below is a more detailed outline of steps the crews take for each of the windows they will be replacing. This is not necessarily in the exact order that they will complete the steps for any given window.
- The crew removes interior trim or stops to access the old frame.
- The existing window gets pulled out (this is the loud part).
- The rough opening is inspected for rot, moisture damage, or warping.
- The new unit goes in, gets leveled, and is shimmed into place.
- Insulation and flashing are applied around the frame before anything gets sealed.
- Interior and exterior trim is reinstalled or replaced.
3) Check the wall for rot. Many old windows have rot hidden behind the window frame. This is not uncommon in older homes where moisture may have accumulated over decades. Your installer needs to check for this type of problem before starting to install the new window. A good installer will flag this type of problem and make repairs before starting to install the window. A less careful installer may ignore this type of problem and hope that it goes away on its own. Ask your installer before he starts work on the first window how he handles problems he finds in the openings.
What to do before the crew arrives
You can remove furniture, window treatments, light fixtures, ceiling fans and other decoration items in adjacent rooms that might fall off of the shelves while the installer is removing the old window using a hammer and prying bar from the wall. Also, be sure to remove any outside planters, patio furniture and other items that are stacked up against the exterior of your home along the perimeter in order to give the crew the clearance that they need.
Remove exterior items from walls and make sure to clear around exterior corners. Items like planters, patio furniture, and yard waste should be removed and stacked in an alternative location for the day of the window installation. This will enable your crew to move freely around the exterior of your home and complete the window replacement as efficiently and safely as possible.
- Disconnect and store any window sensors if you have a home security system
- Confirm parking access for the installation truck (sometimes easier said than done on narrow streets)
- Let neighbors know if the crew will need to access a shared fence line or tight side yard
The regional detail most homeowners overlook entirely
The typical national protocols for flashing, for insulation around the window frame, for sealants typically do not take into account the typical climate of the home. So a company in a dry climate, such as Arizona, may specify a certain type of flashing or a certain type of sealant that works well in that dry climate. However, in areas of high moisture such as the Mid-Atlantic, a much more aggressive flashing detail is typically required outside of the home as well as special attention to the back of the window in the rough opening. Insulation around the frame of the window also varies by climate. In cold climates, additional insulation is important to keep warm air from escaping through the frame of the window. In hot, humid climates, it is typical to leave an air space between the frame of the window and the interior finished wall of the home in order to reduce heat transfer. And then there are special sealants required for climates that typically experience many freeze/thaw cycles.
Pennsylvania Window Installation Services. To fill the gap between the window unit and the rough opening, the installer will need to use a certain amount of material to fill the space. This material will naturally go through many cycles of expansion and contraction due to the humidity in the air. Because of this, the installer will want to make sure that the material he or she chooses will be able to maintain a tight seal against the surrounding wall even after it has gone through many cycles of expansion and contraction. There are many different materials that can be used for sealants in this type of installation, and some of them will work better than others depending on the situation. The homeowner should ask the installer what type of material he or she will be using and why that particular material was chosen.
Ask your contractor what type of insulation they intend to install in the gap between the window frame and the rough opening, and then ask the contractor to explain to you why they intend to use that particular type of material. If the contractor seems evasive or simply provides the typical sales jargon for a particular type of insulation, then you know that they do not really care about providing a quality installation. They are simply looking to get the lowest price and complete the job as quickly as possible. It is your job as a homeowner to make sure that your windows are installed properly and with the best quality materials for your particular climate.
Errors in windows installation
Low pricing for window installation is typically indicative of poor quality services that can lead to increased cost down the road in the form of repair work needed to fix problems that arise as a result of the poor work done by the lowest price contractor. If a contractor is providing extremely low pricing for window replacement it is likely best to avoid using that contractor in order to avoid higher cost down the road.
- Skipping the permit when one is required (yes, some jurisdictions require permits for full-frame replacements — check before assuming)
- Not asking whether old window disposal is included in the quote
- Ignoring the warranty terms on both the window product itself and the installation labor separately
Many people are not aware that even full-frame window replacements are considered to be structural improvements to your home and as such require a permit before work commences. It’s a good idea to check with your local building department before your crew arrives for installation.
After the crew leaves
After the crew has left and your windows have had a day or so to dry give them a good washing. Take a walk around your home checking for things such as leaky air, missing or loose trim, and paint that has gotten on the windows and other finishing work. If you find any of these items amiss a good window replacement company will not be offended if you bring them to their attention and will fix the problem for you. If not, you know you don’t want them working on your home.
New windows should make a difference in how your house feels. Your house should feel tighter and it should be quieter. You shouldn’t feel cold air leaking out from around the sashes of your new windows. You shouldn’t hear hissing air leaking from the corners of your windows on a breezy day. If you do hear hissing or feel cold air leaking, let your contractor know before they put down their tools and head home for the day. It’s much easier to find and seal any air leaks in your new windows on the first day they are installed than it is on day 90.
