By Niko Hammond

Installing replacement wood windows can be a daunting task, unless you are one of the lucky few who know a remodeling contractor, and are owed a favor. In any other case this should help you out if you have to know how to do the work yourself.

Be careful in the measurement for the replacement window so you don't have to shim or build the frame out to match the replacement. Check the squareness of the existing window, a corner to corner measurement will confirm this. The measurements should not deviate more than 1/4"-1/2". If it does, the framework will need to be straightened for a proper fit of the replacement window.

 

  1. The first thing to do is remove the old window. Remove the old wood stops, the long thin strips on the inside of the window that hold the sashes into the frame, once the inside stop is removed the window should come out easily, just pull the sash gently from the top. Now remove the exterior, if you want to replace them. If the window has vinyl or aluminum liners, remove these after the sashes come out. Leave the interior and exterior casings in place.
  2. At this time remove the old sash weights; some weights will have access panels on the side of the frame. After the weights are removed, fill in the pockets with good quality expansion foam, caulk in all the small cracks that will leak air, after the foam dries, trim it with a utility knife, and touch up paint. When selecting the insulating foam, choose one with minimal expansion, so the window will continue to work for years to come.
  3. Time to reinstall the exterior stops, making sure to caulk the inside of these, the outside of the window will set against this and if there are cracks here it will leak air and water. Now, insure the replacement window is closed and locked, then set the replacement window, bottom first, onto the lower frame, and by tilting the window upward, into place against the exterior wood stop.
  4. Using a screw or nail tack, now fasten the window in place at the top, in the center. This is to hold the replacement steady while placing the shims necessary to complete the installation. Now shim the window, often checking the diagonal measurements. For proper operation, the window must be square to 1/4" minimum. Place the shims necessary near, or under where a fastener will come through, use one nail or screw to tack each side in place. Check the window for operation once all four sides are tacked in place.

Once squared, finish by securing all four sides or the window, and then install the interior wood stops. All that is left from here is to caulk all the cracks, and paint! Congratulations, your replacement window looks nice!