How to Install New Construction Windows in an Old House
Installing new construction windows in an old house is not only a great way to provide a bit of a facelift for the home, but will also often help reduce the costs of heating and cooling the interior. With a little attention to detail, you can remove the old windows and install new ones with relatively little trouble.
One of the best ways to give an old house a fresh look is to install new windows. Not only can the exterior of the home be enhanced, but also the balance of light and the flow of fresh air through the home can also be improved. The task of putting in new windows is not as hard as many think, and can often be accomplished with relatively little expense.
Things You Need:
- New windows with prefabricated casings
- Wood sections
- Caulking compound
- Insulation
- Hammer and nails
- Measuring tape
- Crowbar
- Level
- Skill saw
- Trim
- Paint and brush
- Measure all the windows that need replacing. Carefully record the measurements for each window. Depending on the age of the home, there is a good chance that the windows will not be perfectly uniform sizes, making it necessary to match the prefabricated casings as closely as possible.
- Select the type of prefabricated windows that are right for your home. You may prefer a traditional two-sash design, or something more contemporary. Make sure whatever design you choose is functional as well as decorative. Do not proceed with the project until the new windows are delivered.
- Remove the older window casings and sashes. Once the new windows and materials are on hand, use the crowbar and hammer to loosen then remove the old casings and sashes from the windows proper. Inspect the framing for the windows to determine if the wood is still in good shape. If not, use the crowbar to also remove the older framing, then replace it with new framing, taking care to secure it in position with the hammer and nails.
- Build up the framing to fit the new window. If you were not able to purchase window frames that were the same size as the older ones, use sections of wood cut to the right dimensions to build up the frame to the right size. The idea is to create as snug a fit for the new frames and sashes as possible.
- Insert the new window frame and sashes into the window. Use the level to make sure the window is aligned properly, and that the fit is as snug as possible. Hammer the new frame into position, along with the flange that came with the new window. Use caulking to also help hold the frame and flange in position.
- Fill the area with insulation. Foam insulation can be used to make sure even the smallest gaps are filled adequately. If necessary, use sections of fiberglass insulation to fill in larger gaps, so the area is completely weatherproofed.
- Test the window’s operation. Open and close the sashes to make sure the window does not shift during operation and that everything works properly.
- Take care of the cosmetic aspects of the job. Add or replace the façade around the interior and exterior of the window, then paint so that the new construction blends in with the space properly. Depending on how much building up was done with the framing, it may be possible to simply reuse any façade pieces that were removed in order to slide the old window out of position. Decorative wood can also be used to hide the framing if necessary, painting the new wood the same color as the rest of the trim work used on the house.