Replace Your Windows And Save Energy

Whether you are staying in your house or selling it, live in a cold or warm climate, replacing old windows is a win-win. This qualifies you for a tax credit, saves between 10 and 25 percent every year on energy bills regardless if you're heating or cooling and increases the value of your home if you decide to put it on the market in the future.

Window replacements can be a do-it-yourself project, especially if you have budget constraints. Start with an inconspicuous window in the back of the house so you can learn the ropes before you tackle the rest.

You have to decide first which of the following materials you would prefer for your frame: vinyl, wood, or fiberglass? Of course, you will get what you pay for. Vinyl might be the lowest in terms of cost, is relatively maintenance free and comes in a wide range of colors to choose from. Although it won't be able to keep the heat or cold out as well as wood or fiberglass. An older house would do well with painted or stained wooden frames. Fiberglass frames last longer than wood, require less maintenance, and can also take any color of paint.

Before you head to the home improvement store, take careful measurements of the window sizes you need. Use a measuring tape and run it from the inside jamb (window jambs make up the top, bottom, and sides of the window like a frame) on the right of the window to the inside jamb on the left; double check at the top and bottom, just in case there are warps present and go with the smallest measurements. To measure the height, measure from the inside of the window sill to the inside of the top window jamb.

Once you have your new window, take out the old one. Remove the thin, vertical pieces of wood that hold the sashes (the framed part of the window that holds the glass in place). You may need to use a pry bar, a screwdriver and a utility knife. You will use the stops later for the replacement, for now you may set them aside.

Clip the inside sash cords, the ropes that allow the window to go up and down. Let the weights fall into their pockets. Then remove the outside sash by sliding it down and removing the vertical strips holding the sashes in place. You can leave the outside stops in place.

Inspect the window openings for cracks and holes. To remove any small cracks, sand the wood or fill the larger ones with wood filler or putty.

This is where your measuring skills are tested as you check if your replacement window fits right. Move the bumper stops toward the middle and locate the four spots for side mounting holes to center the window sashes. Apply caulk to both sides as well as to the inside of the jamb's outside stops. Before screwing it into place, mount the header on top of the window and caulk.

Make sure that all the corners are square by using a level when you put the replacement in the hole. You might need to tap in shims to help make sure all four corners are at 90-degree angles. As you tighten the mounting screws at the top and bottom, adjust the header across the top to make sure there's no space between the window and the frame.

Verify that the sashes slide smoothly before installing the inside stops and caulk inside the windows, and then it's mission accomplished.

Most replacement windows come with a step-by-step guide and many dealers have videos online to help you through the process. Once that first window is in, the rest will be a breeze.


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