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My parents have single pane windows and want to replace them with dual pane insulated glass. But they are in a stucco wall. I thought about cutting the stucco about a 2 inch border around the window. I can then get to the flange and pull the window out. Then replace the window and finish off the outside with wood trim.
Is this the normal technique? Any other methods?
Thanks in advance.
In Peace and Partnership,
Martin
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Replies
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Martin,
There are a few options, but what you described doesn't sound like it will work. I'm assuming that you'll be replacing the window with a "New Construction" stye with nailing fin. This is the best way to do it on a stucco house. However, before you put any wood trim around, I would break out about 4-6 inches of stucco and then treat it like you would in new construction: building paper flashing, window, head flashing, wire (tied in the best you can with the old wire), stucco. Decorative wood can be applied later. I've done this before to help hide the blending of the stucco textures. My Senco finish nailer nailed right through the stucco with 2 1/2 incn nails. Tip: the best tool I've found for breaking stucco is a small air chisel(Harbor Freight or Home Depot $39). You're not banging on the walls with a hammer and you can chip out the stucco and leave the wire.
Another alternitive is to go with vinyl replacements, depending on your climate. In mild climates, like So. California, they're used quite a bit. A popular way to install the vinyl replacements on a house that has aluminum is to pull out the aluminum frames by making a few cuts with a Sawzall and pull them inwards, essentially collapsing the frame. The vinyl replacement is called a "Z-Bar" frame, which is just a large outside flange that butts up to the stucco surface. These are sealed with HEAVY beads of silicone and screwed to the trimmers only.
Good Luck!
*Martin, you have described the way I replaced my windows last year. Rockford has some good things to say but I would like to add to his comments. If you can get away with it, just cut the 2" you mentioned. This would hide the stucco patch behind the wood trim and you wouldn't have to try to match texture. Also, be sure to leave the felt or paper of the existing intact so it will lap at the new.
*Rockford,There is one other option if you have the right type of windows. I live in So Cal and have aluminum casement windows. These windows are what they call "block windows" they are like a insert that is installed by screwing through the window frame into the stucco mold. these type are very easy to replace.,Remove the interior window casing and with a sawlzall cut the screws that go into the stucco mold and the window should just about 'fall out. then replace it with a block window. But the windows do have to be special ordered to fit you opening. also you must order for the type of sill you have. mine are sloped sills which mean at the bottom of the window the sil protudes out and has a downward slope to it. Hope this helps.
*We are missing some details about the basic construction of your house.Is it stucco over wood framing and sheathing or is it concrete block. There is a difference in the type of new construction windows and in what you could use as replacements.If CMU, wood bucks are often let into special grooved blocks and a masonry sized window is attached to the buck with screws. There may or may not be flashing or caulk. The stucco is then applied after the windows are installed and there is an overlap of stucco on the frame which is then caulked (or not).Removal is a matter of judicial chipping of the stucco and cutting of the window frame if there is not enough clearance to pull the frame out of the opening. Replacement is ordering the correct size for the opening and sliding it into place. If you have to chip out more stucco, you can, or you can order a custom sized window (smaller tip to tip measurements) and make up the difference with a new application of stucco and caulk, shims on the bucks and trim out on the inside.If traditional 3 coat stucco or EIFS over frame you MUST maintain the integity of the flashing, even if it means a major cutting back of the stucco to expose flanges and current flashing. Weaving in a proper watershed and then repairing the stucco coatings are essential to the health of your structure.
*Thanks for all the replies.Ralph, the home is wood framed with stucco.In Peace and Partnership,MartinPS - A safe and Happy New Year to all.
*I would tend to replace the sashes rather than the entire unit.
*Martin the technique you described is how we do it. It works well, just make sure you have cut all the way to the sheating but not through it. The windows aren't steel casements are they?
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My parents have single pane windows and want to replace them with dual pane insulated glass. But they are in a stucco wall. I thought about cutting the stucco about a 2 inch border around the window. I can then get to the flange and pull the window out. Then replace the window and finish off the outside with wood trim.
Is this the normal technique? Any other methods?
Thanks in advance.
In Peace and Partnership,
Martin