Looking for info on how to replace windows yourself. Any good free pages?

Question

Need to replace all windows in home with new double pane eff. windows. Don't have a clue how to remove old ones and replace with new. Any good sites that show how to do it? Help me please....

Answer 1

If you are replacing the old "double hung" windows, here's how to do it!
First open the top half, half way, then the bottom the same way. Then, using a measuring tool, measure the flat vertical side of the opening, in where the window section slides up and down. Not the thin outside moulding! Nor the top of the window sill--go down to the flat part where the window stops when you lower it all the way.
Then measure the up/down section, same way. This gives you the correct window size to order. Do not make a mistake on this! Most companies will not take the mis-measured window sets back, and they are darned hard to re-sell!
Now, if your windows still have the ropes and weights, that hold the sashs up, those have to be removed. Now, you probably won't have to remove the weights, just cut the ropes and let the weights fall down inside-never to be seen again!
NOTE: Some old window sets have a divider strip between the upper and lower sashes. This will have to be pried out, but carefully, as you may have to use it again. Also, the inside moulding will also have to be removed carefully, and saved.
So, after getting all out of the way, cut the ropes, let the weights and ropes fall down inside, lift out the old upper and lower sashs, install the new ones, replace the divider strips and mouldings, clean it up, test the operation and it should be good to go!
The new double hung windows usually have a different method of keeping the windows up when desired.
Now, if you go to Home Depot, in the window department, they usually have instruction sheets you can take home and study before ordering new windows.
REMEMBER!! MEASURE CAREFULLY!! MAKE NO MISTAKES! WRITE IT ALL DOWN!!
How do i know this, you ask? I did all of mine by myself, years ago!

Answer 2

It's pretty easy to do.

What you will be getting is a "replacement pocket window". It will be a complete window, but slightly smaller than the old sashes. You do all the work from the inside. The "sashes" are the panes of glass and the wood frame on them. So you take off the inner strips of trim that cover the edge of the old window sashes...one on each side, one at the top. They are nailed in with finishing nails, so you put a good sharp prybar between the strip and the frame of the window and pry those carefully off. The easiest way to get the old nails out is to use vice grips or "bullnose" pliers to pull the nails out from the pointy side...not trying to drive them out the way they went in. The finishing heads will pull right through.
Ok, with that off, the bottom sash will come out. Then, there is a strip of wood called the "parting stop", and these are usually not nailed in at all. They are a wood strip in a slot on the window frame. Dont worry about saving this, you won't use it again. When those are out, the top sash will come out.

Your new window will fit in this pocket if you took your measurements right. Follow the directions from the manufacturer, and it's not difficult. If you are lucky, they are standard windows and you can get some new ones "off the shelf".
There is another stop that is left after you get the windows out...and the new window will rest against this. You put a good bead of caulk on that, and push the new window against it good and snug...you can use small blocks of wood as temporary "stops" to hold the window in place against the caulk. I like to foam the gaps around the new windows with a minimally expanding foam. When I do this, I push the top sash a third of the way down, and the bottom sash a third of the way up. This puts the top and bottom of both sashes in a position to act like "spacers" on the sides of the window frame so the foam won't bow them in as it expands. Let the foam cure, pull off the temporary stops, trim the foam away and put the original stops back on.
Once you get the hang of it, you can do a window in 20-30 minutes, not counting the time for the foam to cure.

Answer 3

I second everything roadlessg said except about the strip in the middle of the two pains. I have never seen a window that those strips weren't nailed in and you cannot get to the nails from the inside of the framing of the window. They are driven in fro the edges of the window.
I use a sawsall and cut them off flush with the wood but you need the short blades and becareful not to tear the next strip up that Roadleesg was talking about chaulking. You can also use a sharp wood chisel to remove the strips and it doesn't take that much time either.
He is right about the time after you get the hang of it also. I put in 23 windows in one house with a helper that was only bringing the new in and carrying the old out in a day.

Answer 4

Look onthe web sites of the big name manufacturers such as Pella and Marvin. Heres a link that gets you some info and you can probably get more specifics...

http://www.pella.com/learn/basics/replace.asp?path=/learn/basics/replace

Good luck.