I have a brick veneer house with single glazed aluminum windows. I want to replace the units with vinyl double glazed windows. What tool or tools do I need to remove the aluminum windows? I’m not a professional, but have fairly good building skills. I just have never done this nor seen it done.
Edited 1/11/2005 12:10 am ET by Wild Bill
Replies
Depends on how they were originally installed.
New construction here is a finned window screwed into the framed opening. Brick veneer applied later. Screws through the fins, 3" from the corners and 8" oc. You'll be using the Sawzall to booger that frame out after you clean out the caulk.
Sometimes a masonry unit is used, especially if it's an older structure. You'll find 2, sometimes 3 screws in the sides, 2 in the top, all visible and easy to remove and a couple of hidden straps tying the bottom down. Clean out all the caulk, remove the screws and rotate the window out until the straps pull loose or you can get to them with the sawzall. If you have a tile sill, count on the tile popping up. Good opportunity to update.
Thanks Rick;
The fin type is what I have.
Bill
Of all the tools that we use for such things the one I'd say is at the top of the list for custom sized vinyl windows is a tape measure backed up with a good visualization of how the window will fit into the opening. Too tight makes installation a nightmare and too much of a gap around the window chews up time with trimming and caulking, and leaves a window that doesn’t look quite right in a brick opening. This will become painfully clear early in your project since it is quite easy to botch the correct window sizes, even for those of us who should know better. You might want to have a representative of the window company come out to measure the windows with you and go over a few basics. Often the cost of this service is minimal.
Cheers,
Don
Did exactly the same thing in my house
approx 2 yrs. ago. Remove all the glass
then remove all interior window muttins/stiles. All you have left is the frame
then with a pry bar pry the jambs towards the center
of the window starting in the center of the window and working
your way around the frame. I also used a sawzall to cut up the jambs
as I pried them far enough away from the wood frame to get
a blade in. I would take the time to wrap the framing with
tar paper for any potential leaks as you'll be relying on caulk
between the window and brick to keep everything water tight.
I replaced them with some insulated aluminum windows(big mistake)
and was fortunate enough to get the exact size. I peeled of the
nailing flange on the two sides and was able to slip the new window
in the opening and used screws to attach new window jambs to the frame
of the house. It might help also to pull the wood soffit at the head (if applicable)
to help with the new installation.
>>> I replaced them with some insulated aluminum windows(big mistake)
Butch, I'm curious about this (aluminum), do you have a minute to tell us why? Given a second chance would you have used vinyl or wood/vinyl-clad or ?
thanks
There is no thermal break between outside and inside(window frame)
consequentially they condensate real bad
and I've had to resort to putting up those
interior heat shrink plastic windows you see at the depot
(apply double stick tape to interior than apply plastic, then blow dry to
shrink fit the plastic. I believe that stuff is better than the windows themselves
as they completely eliminate any condensation.)
Hope this helps
edited to add I would use anything else but ALUMINUM
Edited 1/11/2005 3:21 pm ET by butch
Thanks Butch for the detailed response. When I saw aluminum I assumed the wood/AL-clad type (like the pella) and since I just replaced over a dozen windows in my 100+ year house (went with the Anderson 400, beautiful wood inside, vinyl outside) I thought I had dodged a bullet by not going with the Pella's. But you're talking solid/all AL frame. All too familiar with those too. My wife still has a condo, masonry outside, AL windows. They sweat, they freeze, and the condensation runs on the clear trim (stool) that i put in when I renovated the place, runing it. When its cold and she does a lot of cooking, she has to go around and constantly wipe the water off or else we'd have a flood. We're selling the place as soon as the house project is dust-free enough for her to move in.
Window shrink wrap :-( I feel for you, Sir.
Charles in the Boston area
But you're talking solid/all AL frame.
that would be right.
Hindsight being 20/20 I should have done a few
at a time as my budget allowed spending a little more on decent
windows, but I was concerned about taking to long, then not being
able to match windows later on down the road.
RE: shrink plastic windows -- I believe that stuff is better than the windows themselves
I can see you REALLY didn't like those aluminum windows.
I can see you REALLY didn't like those aluminum windows
live and learn
Butch;
Thanks for the help. Crowbars are my kind of tools.
Bill
once you remove the window panels, you can get retro windows made to fit inside the metal frame, that cover it with a vinyl flange. Very quick and easy. I've seen guys change out a whole house in a day, and you can't even tell. Well, you can if you know what you're looking for, but I mean it looks clean. No need to hassle removing the whole thing. Check with your local window or building materials supplier before you start demo'ing a mundo.
Thanks for your reply. One Question: Will the vinyl flange slow down the heat loss and keep the aluminum frame from sweating?
I've never used them, only saw it done. I've done plenty the old-fashioned way (tear out the frame, flange and all, put in new flashing, new window, new trim), but its too labor-intensive for today's competitive market. Anyway, the aluminum frame is buried inside the vinyl casing, so I would think its gotta eliminate the condensation problem inherent in aluminum frames. Try http://www.replacement-windows.com, they've got a window installation message board where you can post window-specific questions. Or do a google search on "vinyl replacement windows" and "vinyl retrofit windows", you can probably get all your questions answered.
Thanks Huck;
I'm going to order their video on window replacement. According to them, it will make me an expert. Bill
Let us know how it goes, I may want to buy the video too, if its that good!