How To Install A Window By Yourself

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Replacing old or worn-out windows can burnish upwardly a room and may even reduce your free energy bill. Fortunately, with our how-to guide, replacing an former window is commonly a adequately simple DIY job!

1
Measure the width of the existing window in 3 places. ^[1] To mensurate the width of the existing window, run your measuring tape from the jamb on the left side of the window to the jamb on its right side. Have a measurement at the top, middle, and bottom, and use the shortest distance equally your true measurement.^[ii]
- Open the window and await at the sides. Observe the thin strips that run vertically on each side and sit affluent against the moving part of the window, which is called the lower sash. These strips are called stops.^[3]
- The stops sit in forepart of the stash on the interior side of the window. The jambs, or the window's side posts, are past the stops and are in line with the sashes.
- Notice that the altitude betwixt the stops is shorter than the distance between the jambs. If yous'd measured from the stops, your replacement window would be likewise small.
2
Measure the height of existing window. Take your measurements from the window sill to the caput jamb. Wait at the pinnacle of the window, and notice that there'southward another terminate that runs horizontally. It's a flake lower than the caput jamb, or the very top of the frame. Measure out from the sill to the caput jamb on the left, center, and right sides, and apply the smallest number equally your true measurement.^[4]
- With the window open up, expect at the bottom of the frame. The sill is where the sash sits. Don't misfile it with the stool, or the molding on the within of the window that gives information technology a finished look. The stool is higher than the sill and, like the stops, would throw off your measurements.
- Sills are often sloped to divert water abroad from a home's interior. If your window sill is sloped, accept the measurement from its highest point. Additionally, use a protractor to mensurate the bending of the sill's gradient. Some replacement windows offer a option of sill angles.^[5]
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iii
Cheque the squareness by measuring diagonally beyond the window. Run your measuring tape from the top left of the frame to the lesser right, and note your measurement. Then measure the frame diagonally from the top right to the bottom left.^[6]
- If there'south a difference of less than ¹⁄₄ to ^one⁄_ii in (0.64 to 1.27 cm) between the diagonal measurements of your frame, you tin can brand small adjustments with shims when yous install the new windows. If the divergence is any larger, consider contacting a professional.
4
Purchase a new window that fits your measurements. Advisedly measuring the existing window is the most of import stride to replacing information technology. Bring your measurements to a abode improvement store, consult an employee about bachelor window sizes, and purchase one that meets your needs. In general, the window should exist ^one⁄₂ to ^three⁄_four in (1.iii to i.nine cm) smaller than the existing opening.^[vii]
- You lot may need to purchase a custom window to fit your measurements. For the easiest and almost energy-efficient option, go with vinyl replacement windows with their own self-independent jambs and sashes.^[8]

1
Remove the within stop pieces from the sides of the window. Recall that the stops are vertical strips on either side of the window frame. Utilise a thin pry bar or stiff putty pocketknife to carefully pull them off of the frame. If caked paint makes the job difficult, use a utility bract to score forth the edge of the window frame.^[ix]
- Do your best to avert damaging the stops, as you'll reattach them in one case you've installed the new window.
- If you happen to crevice a stop, take a bit of wood filler and mold it onto the damaged office. Let it dry for about 15 minutes, and sand down the filler and the surrounding wood. Then give it a new coat of pigment before reattaching to the frame.
- If you accidentally snap a stop in half, either patch it together with wood filler or buy a 1 ¹⁄₂ by ¹⁄₄ in (3.81 by 0.64 cm) furring strip from the hardware store. This should be the matching size, but measure out your stop to be sure. Saw the furring strip to match the height of the other finish.
2
Have the within sash out of the window frame. In one case the inside stops are gone, the lower sash should sideslip out easily. If your existing window is former, the inside sash might be continued to a weight past a chain or string. If necessary, cut the chain or string and let the weight fall down into its well.^[10]
- If the lower sash doesn't slip out and you lot don't see cords, information technology might accept metallic jamb liners or springs. Look for nails or screws that secure spring boxes to the sash, and remove any you find.^[11]
3
Slide the upper sash downward to the bottom portion of the frame. Look for the thin strip of wood at the top of the frame that sits confronting the upper sash. This is the parting stop; remove it to free the upper sash. Then, pull out the upper sash; if it'south a double-hung window, cutting any chains or cords that connect information technology to a weight.^[12]
- In a double-hung window, both the upper and lower sashes open and close.
- Go out the exterior stops on the window frame. These outside strips are the counterparts to the within stops, or the strips that you pried off the frame on the interior side of the window. The outside stops volition help guide the replacement window during installation.
4
Clean upward the remaining window frame. Remove any weights and pulleys from their wells on the sides of the window frame. Look for onetime nails or screws, and remove any you observe. Then scrape abroad onetime pigment and caulk, and patch whatsoever holes with an exterior-grade wood filler. ^[13]
- Wait at least 15 minutes for the filler to dry, sand it with 120-grit sandpaper, and then paint it to disguise your work. Filler drying times may vary by brand and the depth of your repair, so bank check your product's specific instructions.
- If your window has weight wells, or cavities on the right and left sides, fill up them with fiberglass or foam insulation afterwards removing the weights.^[fourteen]
- To cut down on make clean upwards time, utilise a shop vac to remove peeled paint and other debris.
5
Check for rotted wood in the window frame. Run a apartment-caput screwdriver around the frame to probe for rot. If y'all notice soft spots or crumbing wood, call a professional to replace the window frame.^[15]
- Instead of trying to install the new window or reinstalling the old i, your best bet is to screw a plywood board over the outside side of the window until your contractor can inspect it.
- A replacement window needs to be installed in a solid, rot-free frame, and a rotted frame could be a sign of larger structural problems.^[16]

1
Place the new window into the frame to test its fit. Advisedly elevator the replacement window into place to dry fit it. In that location should be a ¹⁄_two to ³⁄₄ in (1.3 to i.9 cm) gap around its perimeter. In one case y'all've verified that the window is the correct size, take it out of the frame and set information technology aside.^[17]
- A large window is heavy, so get help lifting information technology to avoid dropping it or injuring yourself.
- If y'all measured advisedly, the new window should match the opening. If it's too pocket-sized, y'all can add furring strips to the jambs to lucifer the new window. For case, if at that place'a a 1 ^ane⁄₂ in (three.8 cm) gap on either side of the new window, screw 1 in (2.5 cm) furring strips to the side jambs, or the posts on the left and right sides of the frame.
- If the new window is too large for the frame, return the window, if possible. If you tin't substitution the unit, y'all'll need to cut into the raw opening. This is best left to a professional.
2
Run a bead of caulk forth the outside stops. Recall that you didn't remove the exterior stops, or the strips that sit affluent against the exterior of the sashes. Using a caulk gun, apply a ^three⁄₈ in (0.95 cm) bead of waterproof, exterior-form caulk along the meridian of the frame and sides of the stops. Then run 2 beads of caulk on the sill against the stool.^[18]
- The stool is the interior molding that sits on summit of the sill to give the frame a finished look.
3
Set the new window into the opening. Skid the bottom of the window onto the sill, then tip its top into place. Press the window against the outside stops, and ensure it's centered in the opening.^[19]
- Secure the window past loosely driving a 2 in (five.1 cm) screw through an upper side jamb. At this point, you just want to hold the window in place and then you can cheque its office and, if necessary shim information technology.
- Most modern replacement windows have pre-drilled holes; bulldoze the screw into one of the upper side jamb holes.
four
Open the sash and check for levelness. ^[20] Open and close the sash, or the moving part of the window, to test its part. Lock and unlock the window, and ensure its parts work smoothly.^[21]
- If it doesn't open and close smoothly, check information technology with a bubble level. Add shims, or scraps of wood approximately ¹⁄₈ to ¹⁄₄ in (0.32 to 0.64 cm) thin, between the replacement window and the sill to prop up i side. Once it'southward level, trim the lengths of the shims that stick out with a utility blade or handsaw.
5
Drive mounting screws into each jamb. Use the screws that came with your kit, or 2 ^one⁄₂ in (6.4 cm) galvanized mounting screws. Locate the replacement window's pre-drilled holes, and insert a shim into the small gap between the window and frame next to each pigsty. Then drive a screw into each pre-drilled hole.^[22]
- The screws should be snug, but not over-tightened. Placing shims by each pre-drilled hole will assist secure the window and keep the frame from bowing.
- Trim the parts of the shims that stick out with a utility blade or handsaw.
6
Replace the inside stops and whatever other trim you removed. Near washed! Hold 1 of the stops to the side of the frame where information technology was originally attached. Hammer 3 galvanized terminate nails into the elevation, middle, and bottom of the end to keep it in identify.^[23]
- Repeat the steps to supervene upon the inside cease on the other side of the frame.
- Depending on the blueprint of your replacement window and condition of the existing frame, you may also demand to use the same technique to hammer trim onto the exterior. Adding or replacing outside trim tin also give your windows a more polished await.
vii
Caulk the exterior gaps between the window and casing. Head exterior and caulk the exterior of the window. Fill gaps less than ¹⁄_four in (0.64 cm) wide with an outside-class caulk. Use continuous beads between the replacement window and existing frame. Be certain not to caulk the gap betwixt the sashes and the jambs of the replacement window.^[24]
- The jambs of the replacement window frame the sash, or the parts that open up and close. The boundary betwixt the existing frame and the outside of the replacement window is the gap you lot desire to caulk. Otherwise, the window wouldn't be able to open!
- Use foam-safety capitalist rod to fill gaps larger than ⁱ⁄_four in (0.64 cm). Insert the rod into the gap, then apply beads of caulk over the rod to seal it.

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Do you install replacement windows from the within or outside?

Kevin Turner is a handyman and the owner of Red Gator Maintenance, a handyman business based in Fresno, California. Working on handyman-related projects since the age of 12, Kevin specializes in a wide variety of home comeback projects such as (only not express to) lighting/electrical, plumbing, deck staining, drywall repairs, chiffonier installation, air conditioning, trash removal, and window, roof, and appliance repairs.

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Ever purchase the new window just slightly smaller than the infinite and then you don't have to cut into the raw opening. Most windows come in standard sizes.
Information technology's always best to accept a partner to help you with the window. That way, ane of you can be within and one of yous can be outside. ^[25]

Always recruit a helper when lifting old window out and new window in to place.
Vesture safe glasses and piece of work gloves when working with any power tools and for removing and replacing the window.
Use caution when using utility blades and other sharp tools.

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Things You'll Need

Tape mensurate
Hammer
Utility bract
Sparse pry bar or strong putty pocketknife
Drill or electric screwdriver
Bubble level
Caulk gun
Exterior-class caulk
Expanding foam
Wooden shims

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Article Summary X

To supplant a window, start past measuring the distance betwixt the jamb on the left side of your window and the jamb on the right to become the width. Then, measure the distance between the sill and the head jamb to get the height. Once yous know the dimensions of your erstwhile window, buy a new window that'due south the correct fit. Next, remove the old window, including whatever weights, pulleys, or screws on the frame. Finally, apply some caulk to the exterior stops on the frame and place the new window in the opening, driving mounting screws into each jamb. To learn how to remove a window, scroll down!

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