How to Install Replacement Windows
Insert windows are often an economical alternative to repairing worn-out old sashes, and they can help make your house more comfortable.
Whether or not to replace windows in an older home is a surprisingly thorny matter. Why wouldn’t you do it? TV commercials tout low prices and fast installation of new vinyl-window inserts, promising lower energy bills, greater convenience, more comfort, and better looks. However, old-house aficionados frequently decry the act as architectural vandalism, arguing that homeowners should spend their money tuning up the old windows and investing in high-quality storm windows. The truth lies somewhere in the middle, though. In general, replacing windows for the sake of energy savings alone is a losing proposition. In most houses, the payback usually doesn’t compare with what you would get from better air-sealing and insulating.
So, when should I replace?
However, there are many instances when installing a replacement window insert is a good move. Sometimes a house’s window sashes are beyond repair. In other cases, even though the energy payback might be questionable, the increase in comfort and convenience gained from a modern window can be considerable. Some well-regarded window manufacturers make replacement window inserts that rival their new-construction windows in quality and in available architectural detailing, so it’s likely you can find replacement windows that mirror the architecture of a house from any era.
Replacement window inserts offer another advantage: With an insert window, only the original sashes are removed. The old window frame and trim remain, meaning less work, less trouble matching old work to new, and less disturbance of old trim that’s very likely coated with lead paint, which poses health risks and can require more costly procedures if you hire someone to do this work. This video offers a quick look at how simple it is to install a Marvin insert window.
More on Replacement Windows:
Install Insert Replacement Windows in a Brick Wall
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How sad that the original old windows were replaced. They had no irreparable wood, rope, glass or glass sealing putty damage. This article verified that the cost to weatherize those existing windows and install high-quality storm windows would be much less than the replacement windows. In addition, the longevity of properly restored and maintained old, hardwood windows is decades longer than that of replacement windows with only 15-20 year warranties.