subject: Save Energy, Replace Your Windows [print this page] Whether you are staying in your house or selling it, live in a cold or warm climate, replacing old windows is a win-win. This increases the value of your home if you decide to sell it in the future, and it would also save you between 10 and 25 percent a year on energy bills whether you're heating or cooling and you may even qualify for a tax credit.
If you have issues with budget and can only do a room or a few columns at a time, this can be a do-it-yourself project. Learn the ropes first by starting with that unassuming window at the back of the house before going for the rest.
Your first decision will be choosing what kind of frames to purchase: vinyl, wood, or fiberglass. As always, you will get the appropriate value for your money. Vinyl might be the lowest in terms of cost, is relatively maintenance free and comes in a wide range of colors to choose from. Although compared to fiberglass or wood, it doesn't perform quite as well in terms of keeping the heat or cold out. Painted or stained wood looks better on a classic house. Fiberglass frames, on the other hand, lasts longer than wood, requires less maintenance and can also be painted with any color.
Before you make that trip to the home improvement store, carefully measure the sizes of your windows first. Just in case there are warpings on the frame, it would be safe to go with the smallest measurements; using a measuring tape to measure from inside jamb (window jambs make up the top, bottom, and sides of the window like a frame) of the right side of the window to the inside jamb on the left side at the middle of the window, and then double check your measurements. To measure the height, measure from the inside of the window sill to the inside of the top window jamb.
Take out the old window once you have the new one. Begin by taking out the stops - the thin, vertical pieces of wood that hold the sashes (the framed part of the window that holds the glass in place). You may need to use a pry bar, a screwdriver and a utility knife. You will use the stops later for the replacement, for now you may set them aside.
The inside sash cords (the ropes that allow the window to go up and down) should be clipped. Let the weights fall into their pockets. Slide down the outside sash and remove the vertical strips holding the sashes in place. You can leave the outside stops in place.
Inspect the window openings for cracks and holes. To remove any small cracks, sand the wood or fill the larger ones with wood filler or putty.
Cross your fingers and see if you measured correctly and your new replacement window is the right fit. Center the window sashes by moving the bumper stops toward the middle and locate the four spots for side mounting holes. Apply caulk to both sides as well as to the inside of the jamb's outside stops. Before screwing it into place, mount the header on top of the window and caulk.
Use a level to make sure all corners are square when you place the new window in the hole. To help make sure all four corners are at 90-degree angles, tap in the shims. Make sure there are no spaces in between the window and the frames, adjust the header across the top as you tighten the mounting screws at the top and bottom.
Install the inside stops and caulk inside the windows after checking that the sashes slide smoothly, and then you're done.
To help you with your project refer to the step-by-step manual that comes with the windows, or you may check out the do-it-yourself videos that most major dealers have online. After putting in the first window, the rest should be relatively easy.
