subject: Add A Window With Do-it-yourself Window Installation [print this page] Window installation in an existing wall is not for the faint of heart, and for those who are not up to the task, finding a reputable contractor is the best way to go. But window installation can be accomplished by a seasoned do-it-yourselfer with the proper tools, basic carpentry skills, and a lot of patience. Once you measure the size of the window you want - including the exact depth of the wall so the window will fit flush - and order your pre-hung window, which should include sash, frame, sill, hardware, and trim, you are ready to tackle the job. Do-It-Yourself Window Installation Steps First, make your opening in the wall. Mark the location on the inside wall and drill holes through to the outside on the corners. From the outside, mark the opening with lines drawn between the holes, then cut through the siding and sheathing using a circular saw. On the inside, cut the drywall around the window opening. Hold the window in place and mark around the perimeter. Then cut again, this time through the siding only. Apply moisture seal around the perimeter in 8" wide strips. Slide them behind the siding, then staple to the rough frame, cutting diagonals at the corners. Next, install shims at the bottom of the opening. When they are level, fasten them with nails and cut off flush with the outside wall. Center the window in the opening, making sure it is level and that it opens and closes freely. Then nail the outside trim in place, using caulking and flashing per the manufacturer's instructions. From inside, shim the sides for a snug, level fit. Nail the jamb and shims to the trimmer studs and stuff insulation into the space between the jamb and trimmer studs. Cut the shims off flush with the inside wall and install the inside trim. Congratulations, do-it-yourself pro! Your window installation is now complete, and you can take satisfaction in a job well done.
