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Has anyone tried replacing house windows themselves?

Posted on 7/3/22 at 9:27 am
Posted by tigersfan1989
Baton Rouge
Member since Oct 2018
1265 posts
Posted on 7/3/22 at 9:27 am
How hard is it to replace house windows yourself? Assuming I have a window company come and take measurements and order would it be hard to replace them myself? All the windows are fairly small. Feedback from anyone who has done it themselves.
This post was edited on 7/3/22 at 9:28 am
Posted by ChEgrad
Member since Nov 2012
3266 posts
Posted on 7/3/22 at 9:43 am to
I did not do my own window replacement, but I did watch them do it. Anyone can handle it if they are just replacing the sashes in old wooden double hung windows with a slip-in unit. Other types may be more complicated.

What type of windows are you replacing?
Posted by StringedInstruments
Member since Oct 2013
18418 posts
Posted on 7/3/22 at 9:49 am to
I watched the guys replace mine, and from what I saw, the basic replacement isn’t hard. What would be difficult for me is recognizing issues not directly related to the window replacement that need troubleshooting. For example, the workers identified rotten wood inside the wall once removing the old window. They then checked some of the wall parts (can’t remember the names) for wood rot and replaced what needed to be replaced. Pretty sure I wouldn’t have noticed it or known how important it was for the window replacement.

Also, and probably most importantly, you’re losing out on the warranty of a contractor doing the job. My new windows are guaranteed no matter what happens with them. If I bought windows and replaced them, the slightest issue could mean needing to replace them again, and that’s a lot of money to risk for glass.
Posted by tigersfan1989
Baton Rouge
Member since Oct 2018
1265 posts
Posted on 7/3/22 at 10:49 am to
I’d be replacing single pane windows with double pane. They are all very basic rectangle shaped windows.
Posted by keakar
Member since Jan 2017
30043 posts
Posted on 7/3/22 at 12:40 pm to
if the windows are standard sized its easy, if they arent then you need custom made windows and just let them do it all.
Posted by easy1234
Baton Rouge
Member since Oct 2010
252 posts
Posted on 7/3/22 at 3:56 pm to
I did mine very very easy.Window or standard sizes don't let them tell you they have to measure each window and special order each one.Just buy your windows score the fins and take them off.Remove and install from outside.Remove all glass and cross bars, The frame start from the middle pry it out.
This post was edited on 7/3/22 at 3:58 pm
Posted by farad
St George
Member since Dec 2013
9683 posts
Posted on 7/3/22 at 5:14 pm to
if they were made to spec you may want to see if you doing the install affects the warranty...
Posted by tigersfan1989
Baton Rouge
Member since Oct 2018
1265 posts
Posted on 7/3/22 at 8:06 pm to
Did not think about that I’ll have to ask
Posted by Reubaltaich
A nation under duress
Member since Jun 2006
4967 posts
Posted on 7/3/22 at 9:09 pm to
I replaced mine a few years ago.

Pretty straight process if you have basic windows.
I used a hammer and a pry bar to remove the wood trim from around the old windows.

Most windows are standard sized so you can probably get them already made at Lowes, Home Depot...

Just make sure you have a little extra 'wiggle' room in your measurements or you will struggle mightily.

Posted by meeple
Carcassonne
Member since May 2011
9380 posts
Posted on 7/3/22 at 9:43 pm to
Depends how they’re installed. Had mine replaced and most of them had to be broken because they were put in between framing and brick when the house was build back in the 70s.
Posted by 9rocket
Member since Sep 2020
1213 posts
Posted on 7/3/22 at 9:48 pm to
It’s not difficult if you have some basic skills.
Step one - Are your walls brick or some type of siding ?
Posted by I Love Bama
Alabama
Member since Nov 2007
37715 posts
Posted on 7/4/22 at 7:32 am to
90% of all construction can be learned in a day or two with youtube.

You 100% can do this project yourself.
Posted by redstick13
Lower Saxony
Member since Feb 2007
38536 posts
Posted on 7/4/22 at 8:13 am to
quote:

90% of all construction can be learned in a day or two with youtube.



Replacing wood trimmed windows is very easy. Taking out windows on a brick home is an entirely different animal.
This post was edited on 7/4/22 at 8:16 am
Posted by Art Vandelay
LOUISIANA
Member since Sep 2005
10702 posts
Posted on 7/4/22 at 9:06 am to
What type of window are you taking out ? Aluminum? You in brick or siding?
Posted by Harlan County USA
Member since Sep 2021
537 posts
Posted on 7/4/22 at 9:31 am to
Yes, at least 15 years ago on my first house. I replaced only 5 windows before we decided to sell.

House was brick, windows were standard sizes. It really was easy. Watch some videos to get a better idea. The only thing I couldn't do was cap off the brick mold/sill with aluminum trim. I painted and recaulked the brick mold/sill. It's just detail work. Take yer time, you can do it.

Alot of people think you're ripping out the brick mold/framing and everything you see attached to a window). You're not doing that. That all stays. The only thing you have to replace are the two sashes that go up and down but you have to get them out. You chop out the "stops" and the sashes go out. The "stops" are a little piece of wood that runs vertical on the outside, on both sides of the sashes.

I bought them from Lowe's, vinyl, energy star, double hung, screened, etc. Can't remember the brand.

In the two bathrooms, we did a full renovation, so I ended up replacing the inside wood trim because I ripped out all the old drywall in order to insulate the walls(there wasn't any insulation). You don't have to replace the inside trim unless you're ripping out all the drywall etc. The windows I installed got put into place from the outside so you're not messing with taking inside trim off.
Posted by chity
Chicago, Il
Member since Dec 2008
6082 posts
Posted on 7/4/22 at 10:04 am to
Just a note, some companies deduct about a half an inch off your measurements so the window will install more easily some do not.

Make sure you check this before ordering.
Posted by redstick13
Lower Saxony
Member since Feb 2007
38536 posts
Posted on 7/4/22 at 2:37 pm to
quote:

Alot of people think you're ripping out the brick mold/framing and everything you see attached to a window). You're not doing that. That all stays. The only thing you have to replace are the two sashes that go up and down but you have to get them out. You chop out the "stops" and the sashes go out. The "stops" are a little piece of wood that runs vertical on the outside, on both sides of the sashes.


What you are talking about is a very simple and easy task. Some people want to replace/upgrade their entire windows and not just the "guts" so to say. If you want to replace your entire aluminum window in a brick home it's not easy. The original aluminum frame nailing fin is bricked over during construction. You will need to heat and cut out the glass panes, then bust and pry out the aluminum frame itself. The frame will be screwed and or nailed into the wood by the nailing fin behind the brick so at the very least a pry bar will be needed and likely a multi tool and sawzall with a metal cutting blade. It's a messy task.
This post was edited on 7/4/22 at 5:28 pm
Posted by oldskule
Down South
Member since Mar 2016
15476 posts
Posted on 7/4/22 at 6:59 pm to
You will need a good helper....2 man job, period.
Posted by Harlan County USA
Member since Sep 2021
537 posts
Posted on 7/5/22 at 5:32 pm to
I had wood windows.
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