This is a job for the Windows Ping List !!!
Oh, wait.... nevermind...
Posted on 04/07/2015 6:08:45 PM PDT by gop4lyf
I need to replace several windows in my house to get it ready to sell. I have had a few estimates made and frankly, I cannot afford to have them professionally done. Even if I could, I wouldn't recoup half of what i would spend. Therefore, I am endeavoring to man up and buy the windows and install them myself. I have seen a few Youtube videos (I know, I know) on replacing aluminum windows, but in two rooms I have these double hung, side by side windows. I guess what I really need is some advice on how to go about 1) properly measuring for the new windows, 2) finding out exactly what does and what does not need to be demo'ed, and 3)how to go about hanging the new windows. (I don't even know if they would install from the inside or from the outside.)
In 1979 I bought my current house. The window in the bathroom was spongy and had a lot of rot, but I didn’t have the cash to replace it. I went to one of the local Marinas and bought a half-gallon of something called Get-Rot. It’s epoxy with the consistency of kerosene. It’s used to repair wooden hulls on boats that have rot. On all the wooden parts of my window I drilled 1/8” diameter holes. I must have done 4 dozen or more of them. I then mixed the Git-rot in an old squeeze bottle and shook it up good. It takes several hours to set so you have lots of time. I filled each hole and when I got to the last one, I started over topping up each one. The following morning the epoxy had hardened and the wood was harder than it was when new. I sanded the surface filled the holes with spackling and then painted the window. It looked new. That was 35 years ago and the window is still fine and structurally sound. Basically the wood is now a hardened plastic.
I have the same kind of windows in this mid 60’s place and even have the wider appearing just as these are. The divider to make two windows look like one large one is called a mullion and is made specifically for that.
I ended up cleaning up the existing windows as well as possible and then ordered thru Lowes the interior storm windows and used a piece of 1” square aluminum tubing for the mullion.
I’m no carpenter, but I had 1 BIG Double Window and I replaced it with 2 smaller (width) windows. Of course there was framing and trim work, kept most of the old wood, you may want to consider that, STANDARD Windows are cheap, Vinyl or Aluminum, The main problem is finding someone you can trust to install them.
I never thought I could pull it off, but I did and it looks great, It’s not as hard as it looks.
Of Course there’s always Murphys Law, which I encountered cause of the AGE of the old windows. AGAIN, I aint even a Carpenter!
Frankly, this is a multi-craft job. While it may not be beyond your skills, it may not be worth doing. There are companies that can do a window replacement using the existing frame of the old window. That is fairly economic because the labor costs are cut down drastically because the façade is not cut away and consequently doesn't have to be rebuilt. Alternately contact a glazier who may be able to resurrect the windows you already have in place. You might be surprised. You do need new screens.
I hope this helps your decision making.
why not just replace the glass?
mullion eh?
The dividers I was referring to are the one in the picture that make the one panel look like it has six smaller sections, when in fact it is one dual pane window with the "dividers" sandwiched between the two panes of the window.
The actual large panes can in most cases be disassembled, then the dual pane window itself replaced down at the glass shop, then remounted using the same frames. Sometimes need to replace a fresh rubber gasket along the edges. All this stuff most home improvement stores carry on the shelf.
Of course if the Honey wants new windows with new frames, then that is a whole 'nuther ball game.
All fine and dandy unless you got actual mini panes like mine. I think it is called a colonial pane style.
Just make sure you reformat the hard drive before you install your Window(s)!
However, I did see a really cool window set up at a client's home. They had the individual smaller sections each individually framed, and they were actually dual pane, best of both worlds, probably cost them a bundle.
On a few of your questions:
If you are replacing the entire window/frame assy, you need to remove all the interior trim and measure the size of the framed opening.
There are 2 types of “replacement” windows. One that is just the framed window, and you trim out both inside and outside once installed. The other style has built in outer molding and that window is installed from the outside and the inside is trimmed out once installed.
What will work with your brick facade, I haven’t a clue.
You can install 2 individual windows side by side, this is very common. There are instructions on how to do this on many manufacturer sites for windows.
I built my house and installed all my windows, in new construction it is a piece of cake. Retrofitting an old house is problematic. You WILL find rotten wood once you open it up. Your project will grow in complexity once the sawzall starts working.
Were I doing this, I would go the estimate route and offer 50/50 deal to the new buyer, and I do have the skills and tools to frame out whatever I want, and repair all the sheetrock, and trim. It just takes time , lots of time if you do not to this stuff daily.
Most house buyers know they will have to replace the windows in older houses. We would actually prefer to do it ourselves so we can get the style and type we wish.
This is a job for the Windows Ping List !!!
Oh, wait.... nevermind...
I’ve noticed that real estate agents always want to make improvements on a house no matter how perfect it is. I figure that’s one way to create jobs. If it’s not the windows, they’ll tell you to redo the kitchen or bath. Their job is to intimidate and discourage the owner and find excuses why the house won’t sell. Then they tell you to paint the front door red.
Personally, my thought about doing a major fix up to a house just to sell it for more is a waste of time and money. A potential buyer may hate your new windows and may try to lower the price of the house because of them... and perhaps they may want to replace the windows with wooden ones. You just don’t know what a potential buyer wants. Therefore your money spent would have gone out the windows!
Spend time washing the windows and frames. Remove the fly poop. Caulk and paint. Replace any broken panes. Maybe strip the paint off the wood and stain instead. In other words, work with what you have. Make sure everything looks and is clean.
Find out if you need a building permit to change your windows. In my town if one is replacing 90% of windows or changing the size of them, a permit is needed. Look into your town laws.
I have stripped the paint off all my windows. It’s a lot of work. I just can’t imagine changing entire windows because there’s always a technical issue that would arise which would lead to some construction work. Nothing fits the same as the original. You may later regret you started.
Sell your house as is.
I bought one to replace a failing aluminum window in our bedroom, and it made an amazing difference -- couldn't hear the neighbor's weekend parties anymore, no drafts, and way better insulation. I paid for installation because I had no idea how to do it. Once I saw it done, I would have no fear of doing additional ones myself. You just take out the old windows, leaving in the aluminum frame, slide the replacement window into place through the aluminum frame, and use multiple tubes of caulk to seal and hold it.
If you have to do multiple, you might pay to have one installed, and then do the rest yourself.
Good luck
Have done his. First, go to Youtube, great videos. To remove windows, you will have to knock out the glass, then just pry the old windows out. Tacked to the frame by a light metal strip around the outside of the window. To buy new windows, measure the inside and outside dimensions. Can order at Lowes, Home Depot, etc. You want a window or windows 1/4 inch smaller than the outside opening t allow installation. There is a ‘mullion’ that connects two windows together. Installed by 3 screws along the left and right. You can also secure to top and bottoms. You may need to get furring strips to provide something to attach to on the inside of the window frame, depending on how it is constructed.
If you are handy, you can do this. You will need another person to help put the window in place.
Just give yourself a couple of hours. WindowWorld did one of my big ones, took 30 minutes.
Each case is different - mine were not originally installed correctly and it was as simple to remove them - actually had to replace a stud due to the condition after getting them removed. I hope the guy asking for advice is as lucky as you.
Seems you could use a bump.
I think that what I am going to do is replace the broken panes, get a few more bids, and then when I put it up for sale offer a 50% price back on the windows. I just don’t see me being able to do it efficiently nor cost effectively with all of the other things to do on the list.
Nice piece of lumber and paint it. Size it so you can get two “standard” windows.
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