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Archive for the ‘Window Installation’ Category
Attic Dormers
Add an attic roof dormer will enable the re purposing of space in one the the seldom used areas of your home. Your attic can become effective living space and produce instant equity in a considerably down real estate market, adding living space that will produce the end results.
A dormer is a structural element of a building that protrudes from the plane of a sloping roof surface. Dormers are used, either in original construction or as later additions, to create usable space in the roof of a building by adding headroom and usually also by enabling addition of windows.
Often conflated with the term ‘dormer’, a dormer window is a window set into the dormer. Like skylights, dormer windows are a source of light and ventilation for top floors, but unlike skylights (which are flush with the roof surface) they also increase the amount of headroom in the room and allow for more usable space.
A blind dormer is a dormer that can only be seen from the outside of the house: it’s roofed off on the inside, and doesn’t provide any extra space or light. These are often used to make the house appear more impressive.
A dormer will often be one of the primary elements of a loft conversions.
Window repair (glass)
A Broken window glass repair, can be replaced by regular glass or by plastic unbreakable glass. Before starting to replace broken glass, put on a pair of gloves and a pair of glasses. It can be dangerous, so wear gloves and eye protection. Glass, in both wood and metal frames, is normally held in place by a pin point. In wood these are usually glazers points, a small triangle of thin metal. In metal spring clips are used. Putty or glazing compound is then applied to keep out rain. The following steps are suggested for replacing broken window glass:
*Carefully remove all pieces of glass being careful to clean up the area around the window to prevent injury and cuts. Use pliers to grip pieces of glass still in the window.
*With a chisel or jackknife, remove the old putty. Be careful not to gouge the wood frame. As you proceed around the frame you will find glaziers points (small steel triangles) in wood frames or spring clips in metal window frames. Save the points or clips. Be sure all old putty is removed so the glass will slide into place easily.
*With sandpaper or detail dremel tool IE., clean off bits of putty which remain on the window sash frame.
*Back prime the raw frame with an oil based wood preservative or an oil base primer. This enables protection and seals the wood surface under the putty and prevents the metal frame from corrosion. As well as deter any swelling from moisture.
*Measure the size of the glass or clear opening. A steel rule may sag causing errors in dimensions. Allow 1/8″ clearance on all sides so reduce each measured dimension by 1/4″. Most home improvement centers will cut the glass for free for you.
*Put a thin ribbon of glazing compound in the groove on the frame for the glass to rest on. Keep the thickness of this glazing compound fairly uniform so when you press the glass down into the compound it will not crack.
*Install the glass, press it onto the glazing compound and insert the saved pin points,which you removed. Push these in with a large screwdriver. If you use a hammer be careful not to break the glass. The points should be placed every 6″ to 8″.
*Work the glazing compound and form it into strings no bigger than a pencil. Lay a string of compound along one side at a time and force it onto the glass and wood frame with the tip of a putty knife. Smudges from the compound can be removed later with a cloth dipped in mineral spirits or turpentine. Another great job well done by the PRO DIY’er.
Double Hung DIY window replacements
In a home makeover, there is no substitute for a stunning window. Double hung replacement windows, properly chosen and installed, revolutionize the look of a home, amplifying the beauty and increasing its value.
D
ouble hung windows, are among the most common, yet aesthetically striking window styles. Double hung windows are windows in which the upper and lower sashes move independently of each other. They maximize the amount of light in a room, help sustain outdoor airflow, and completely shut out wind, rain and cold. The best ideas for double hung windows come from where to place them. Get inspired and DIY double hung your window before the real chill hits.
DIY Sliding Window Replacement
As many of us new home owners can attest to, the home requires quite a bit of work. We pull the trigger on the location, today’s price range and the total layout of the home itself. Although the former owners had some work done to put it on the market, there is still many areas that need improving. Take that back patio aluminum slider for instance and surely it could be upgraded for looks, if not to be more energy efficient. So lets DIY our new windows. 
Taking for granite the want here is to change the size (width) there will be some demo needed to expose the exteriors nail fin. Otherwise proper dimensions for a retro replacement application is your procedure here. Using a vinyl or wooden line of product should not change anything. Once the demo has been completed, your new windows rough opening has to change via reframing. The header typically can stay if going smaller in width and adding some extra trimmer studs will suffice. When enlarging, the header has to come out and span the length of the new support posts or king studs to ensure the structural integrity is maintained. Some codes forbid certain square footage overages on the particular sides of your home. Check for city or county requirements locally to avoid any conflicts later on.
How to install replacement windows
Okay the orders been in for a week or so and you got the call that your new replacement windows are ready for pickup. Now that thought of how to install replacement windows is on your mind. So lets get started, removal of all the existing patrs must come out so the replacement can fit like designed. Wood sash double hung are the trickiest, so lets go here, the parting beads are usually pressure fit into the dado cut, so get a grab with a sharp object and pry away from jamb to remove, and remove any trim moulding’s also. Now you can pull each sash out or in and remove the cable weight plates or cut the cords to disconnect.
A lot of the older double hung frames will appear that the inside frame is another bead but understand the new window needs to seat tight against this. Okay for dry fit run, you want nothing to be too tight because the new window can’t be forced to a point of any extra pressure binding on your new windows moving parts. Now open and close the window slowly and shim if needed for the smoothest operation. Now depending on how big the window is? This will change how many screws to install. After a good caulking all the way around the outside perimeter, the fasteners need only be 2 max at top and at least 2 per each side. Note: these fasteners ( for security reasons ) should be applied on the inside half of the frame, so nothing can have access to these from the outside. Great job BTW, trim inside out as you wish!
Replacement Window dressing
Lets get creative and learn how to install replacement windows
with a stool and apron on the inside, paint or stain grade diy window treatments that say “OH YEA” that is how we roll. After the windows in place you will have removed any existing treatment. Pick the moulding you’ll be using and some 3/4″ flat stock to cut and install for the stool, this little decorative shelve notches around the finish wall and goes beyond the casings, as well as hangs into the room about an inch past the front lower moulding. This is known as the apron, the stool separates the casing from the apron and sets flat on top of the stool. Take note to measure accurate and see where and what’s to take place. With the new moulding, cut some small tester pieces and mark the layouts so you can facilitate there spots. A miter saw and table saw will be of great help but a handsaw and a good angle square can do this as well, diy your new replacement windows before all the guest show this holiday season, and show off all you want…..good job again!!
Replacement window jamb Extensions
When the windows come up short on the inside and in order to add the final touch with the window casings you’ll find the need to know how to install replacement windows jamb extensions. Setting the new replacement windows as they go in and not all the way to the face of the finish wall, often as much as 3/4″ shy, the simple solution is adding a piece of wood measured to fit and bring the new window jamb flush with the face of the interior drywall.
Wall thickness conditions vary all the time and can be up to 6 or 8″ inches, but the DIYer can do it all. When visualizing an answer to finishing off a inside window, there’s many ways to handle this. Here are 2 separate samples. A strip of flat stock with a tiny step furring into the flush inside wall. With vinyl replacement windows the manufacture often has a snap on channel jamb extension premade for any special orders.
Sealing a Replacement Window
When the order comes in and you are ready to learn how to install replacement windows, if you got the dimensions right the windows set right in and get screwed off. Demo and remove the dividing bead molding, remove the fixed and sliding sashes and any dirt or loose paint in the existing frame.
First dry fit the new replacement window, if it fits snug in the hole without being tight that’s great.
From the outside in for most new replacement windows (in a wood sash frame) push it flush with the frame on the inside, have a good visual of where it touches and needs to effectively seal. Take it back down and run a bead of caulk around the edge’s where it made contact. Set the window back into the hole and push tight to frame on the inside. Hold it tight there and drill the holes (if None) for the screw’s. Do not put any on the bottom and depending on how big it is two per side will suffice with at least two at top. Recaulk around whole edge and wipe any excess that oozed out with a clean damp rag.
Retro Windows
Every aspect of how to install replacement windows in every different situation is a given. The common denominator will always be do the best possible job you can.
After removing all the pertinent parts and the dimensions are accurate a dry fit has to take place, what we look for is any abnormalities, something that can interfere with our progress going forward.
This one house comes to mind with aluminum windows preceding our new double paned white vinyl replacements. The old window frames were not the issue though. The problem occurred with the existing stucco being too thick and not allowing our new vinyls to seat far enough inwards to get any fastening bite. Problem solved, the decision went for stucco removal. Post dry fit marking the stucco on the outside edge of the new frame and with a 4″ DeWalt grinder using a diamond blade, just scoring the stucco surface. Taking up to 3/4″ in areas applicable until the proper fit had been achieved to install the new windows and without any exterior patching or painting involved, Booooooya!
Insulation Incentives
Now that fall is just a few months away, many homeowners are looking to upgrade the insulating properties of their abodes. If reduced heating costs weren’t incentive enough to replace drafty windows, the federal government has sweetened the pot even further. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 includes a provision that rewards homeowners for replacing their windows. Specifically, they become eligible for a tax credit covering 30 percent of the cost of the new windows.
While replacement windows are beneficial to your personal comfort and your pocketbook, they also go a long way toward improving the environment. By taking the time to seal in the heat this winter, you’re helping to reduce the cost of energy for every local homeowner. The project is relatively inexpensive, and it can be completed well before the winds turn cold and autumn sets in.