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About This Project
Are you ready to replace your drafty old windows with new energy-efficient units? You’ll be glad to know that you don’t have to tear off interior moldings or disturb exterior trim and siding. We’ll show you ways to mount replacement windows inside your existing window jambs. These methods will save you the hassle and mess of tearing out the old window and trim.In this article, we’ll show you step by step how to remove the old sash from double-hung windows and mount either a new sash kit or a wood or vinyl replacement insert inside your existing window jamb. Even a beginner can do it.
Both the sash replacement kit and the wood or vinyl replacement insert mount inside your existing window jamb, in the place that was occupied by the old sash. They both fit in the space between the outside stop, called the blind stop, and the removable interior stop (see Fig. A). The sash replacement kit is designed to replace the sash in double-hung windows only. Wood or vinyl replacement inserts, on the other hand, are self-contained units with their own jamb and sash, and can therefore be slid into almost any type of window jamb. They are available as double-hung, sliding or casement-style windows.
Option 1: Wood Or Vinyl Replacement Inserts
For a maintenance-free window that doesn’t require any painting or staining, consider vinyl replacement windows. Some companies even make a simulated wood grain interior. Since wood or vinyl replacement inserts have their own jamb, they can be installed in window jambs that are slightly out of square. Ask your window dealer for help measuring, though, since you’ll have to downsize the window slightly to fit.
Shopping for replacement windows is a little trickier than buying sash kits because the quality of the windows varies dramatically and many are available only to contractors. The Vetter window we ordered cost $225 and arrived in about three weeks. Make sure to inspect and operate an actual working model of the window before you order. Look closely at details like the locking system, weatherstripping, and sash and frame joints. Then consider the overall appearance. Some windows, like ours, have narrow vinyl sash parts that allow more light and a better view than windows with wide sash frames.
FIG. A WINDOW PARTS
Your Old Jamb Must Be Solid
The window replacements we show must be installed in a solid, rot-free jamb. Inspect your old window frame carefully for signs of water damage. Pay particular attention to the sill. Probe with a screwdriver to uncover hidden soft spots. Normal exposure to rain and snow often causes the exposed parts of poorly maintained windowsills or the lower sections of the exterior trim to rot. An experienced carpenter can usually repair these areas with sections of new wood or you can use an epoxy repair system. Rot along the top or interior parts of windows, including the window jamb, is more difficult to repair and often signals a bigger problem. Don’t mess with repairs. Plan on tearing out the entire window and installing a new one.
Measure Carefully
There’s nothing worse than discovering that your nonreturnable, custom-sized window doesn’t fit.
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