In our past content articles I talked about all the actions needed to properly change your previous wood sash windows with power effective vinyl windows. I informed you how to measure for the new windows. Then we discussed the removal of the wood sashes and parting bead. Lastly, I informed you how to set up, seal, and trim the vinyl replacement windows. But, what if these previous windows in your home are made of aluminum instead of wood? Is the process the same? No, it’s not the same at all. So, the next few content articles are heading to clarify the variations in between replacing wood windows versus aluminum windows.

When discussing the proper frame style for replacing the wood sash windows, I explained the difference in between new building frames versus replacement frames. When replacing aluminum windows, there is another option we have to think about concerning frame style. It’s called a “retrofit” frame. Let’s go over every frame type. First, we have the new building frame with the nailing fin. If you select to go this route, you have to eliminate the exterior around every window opening, pull out the nails holding the aluminum window to the studs, nail in the new vinyl window, use flashing, caulk, and re-set up the exterior around every window.(I get tired just talking about it!)In addition to being a whole lot of labor, you can operate into major issues trying to set up the exterior item around every window opening. If your home has stucco, you have to try and match the relaxation of the stucco. It can be done, but not by you. Even most expert stucco guys can’t get a ideal match. What if you have wood siding? Well, you can cut away two” of the siding around every window to get to the nail fin, then you can use one X two or one X 3 trim around every window. Certainly not as much work as the stucco home, but probably more work than the average homeowner cares to tackle. What if every window is surrounded by brick? Let’s not even go there! You would have to eliminate the bricks, then re-set up them all when completed.

Believe in me, you do not want to change your previous aluminum windows with new building vinyl windows. You want to use either the replacement frame like the 1 utilized to change the wood sash windows, or something called a retrofit frame, that is popular in the west exactly where stucco is a typical exterior. Since the procedure for measuring is the same irrespective of the frame style selected, this write-up will discuss the proper measuring procedure, and future content articles will clarify the difference in the installation process for replacement versus retrofit.

If you look at the portion of the aluminum frame that goes around the window opening into your surrounding walls, you will see three separate “legs” that form two pockets. The outdoors leg and the middle leg form the initial pocket. Your display and stationary panel will be in this pocket. The middle leg and inside leg form the second pocket, and your sliding panel is in that pocket. Discover the “leg” that is the widest on all four sides. When measuring the width, operate your tape measure from the widest leg on the left to the widest leg on the correct. This ought to be the narrowest measurement. Then, subtract 3/8″ from that measurement. This is the width of the replacement window. Measure the height the same way. When measuring the height, measure as close to the middle of the window as feasible. This is especially important on windows wider than 6 feet, because the leading wood header has a tendency to sag over time, generating the middle of the opening the narrowest. You do not require to deduct 3/8″ from the height like you did on the width. one/4″ is fine. These are the dimensions you use when ordering your vinyl window. If you have any picture windows(windows without a vent panel), there will only be two legs and 1 pocket. You still measure the same way.

Next week I will discuss whether your home is a candidate for retrofit frames or replacement frames…

John Rocco has been putting in replacement windows since 1978. To discover more, go to How To Install Windows