I’ll be installing new windows in a family room that has aluminum siding. The siding will need to be removed, re-sized and replaced. I’ve worked with vinyl siding and (depending on temperature) it’s pretty easy to do this. For aluminum, it seems like it’s not going to be easy to remove it without kinking it. Any tips?
I could also use some tips on cutting aluminum. I’m planning on using tin snips.
-Don
Replies
You will have a hard time getting aluminum off without messing it up. If you do have to take it off, start at the top and work your way down. Wear gloves or you'll be cut up when you're done.
Edited 3/1/2006 11:51 am ET by Craigabooey
Thanks. Then maybe it would be easier to just cut the aluminum in place, assuming that the new windows are larger than the old ones (I don't know that yet). However, this leaves me with the challenge of re-installing the J-channel with the siding still in place. Any other input?
-Don
If the windows are bigger then yes I would cut the siding back. As far as the j channel, once the windows are in measure out around the windows maybe 3 inches all the way around the window. Cut the siding back to your marks. You will now have a 3 inch wide gap all the way around the window. Cut the j channel to fit the enlarged opening and slide the nailing flange of the j-channel behind the siding. Sometimes you'll have a nail in the way or something, that will have to be cut. I use electrician's lineman pliers to cut the nails or pull them out so the channel's flange sits all the way in. Next put some 1x flat stock or 5/4" flat stock all the way around the opening. You're essentially casing the outside of the window. If the window had a nailing flange you may want to rabbet out the back of the casing so it'll lay flat on the surface of the wall. It would be a good idea to prime this wood front and back before you nail it on. When you've finished that you can cover it with white aluminum coil stock and caulk any gaps. I've done this alot and it looks great! Good Luck
Craig
Thanks. That was good info.
-Don
A battery powered circular saw will cut aluminum siding pretty well.
Craig has a good idea, I'll add that a plywood blade, put in backwards will cut the siding. Backwards rotation will keep the aluminum from tearing up. These are steel blades,not carbide. Sears carries them .I'm sure others do too.In the past I cut at least 35 squares of siding with the same cheap blade,
mike
DOn,
My house has aluminum on it and I am replacing several windows. They are Aluminum windows well past their prime.
I'm using Pella Vinyl with the J Channel built in. Take a minute and look at the siding. In your mind, work through taking it off. Figure out which way will be most efficient. Start up high and work your way down. I started a row above the window and worked my way down. I used a siding tool to get started but the first row was tough. I started at a joint with the tool. Once I had the seperation started I pushed up on the lower piece and down on the upper piece and gently pulled them apart. No problem at all. I used a bright colored marker to mark the TOP edge of each piece on the wall as it came off so that I would know where it went when the time came to put it back up.
Once the windows were in, I reversed the process trimming the siding as needed. At the top, I nailed the last piece on and then got them started on being locked together and then pushed one up and one down and gave them a little help with my palm.
Worked out just fine.
The hardest part is not denting the first piece of siding. After that it's easy.