How to Replace Home Windows: The Basics Explained

If you think replacing one window in your home is a complicated project, be glad you don’t live in Buckingham Palace – there are 760 windows installed in the building. Unlike the Queen of England, you likely won’t have a team of butlers to help replace your windows.

Knowing how to replace home windows may seem like a job for a licensed contractor. However, with the right tools, time, and patience, you may find that you can DIY this project yourself.

If you have no idea where to start when replacing windows around your home, you’re in the right place. Keep reading for a basic guide to help you make this task as simple as possible.

Know When It’s Time

Before you start significant projects and ripping out the windows in your home, you’ll want to ensure it’s the right course of action. There may be a faster fix like installing weather stripping to help combat a draft.

However, it’s time to look into new windows if they’ve passed their life expectancy. This is something that many homeowners ignore, especially if their windows look objectively okay. Paying attention to how old your windows are can help provide inside into whether or not they should be replaced.

Similarly, if you notice a massive jump in your utility bill one month, your windows could be the culprit. As windows get older, their function decreases, leaving you with wasted energy and money.

Finally, if your windows don’t work as intended, such as not opening or locking, or have rot and damage to the glass, it’s time to replace them.

Measure and Order

If you’ve found that it’s time to replace your residential windows, the first thing you’ll need to do is measure the space and order a new window. After all, you can’t begin the process if you don’t have anything to fill the empty space!

Measuring your window is one of the most essential steps in the process, as you don’t want to order the wrong size. To ensure you get the correct measurements, you’ll need to get the height and width in a few locations.

To get the width, you’ll need to measure your current window in three places – the top, bottom, and middle of the frame. Be sure not to measure between the window jambs, as this can make your window smaller than it is.

When measuring the height, you’ll want to measure from the sill to the top of the window, or where the sash sits when the window is closed.

If you have previously replaced the windows in your home, you may have a receipt that lets you know the sizes you ordered. Should you locate this information, you can use this as a guide to help you order the correct size.

Finally, you’ll want to place your order. Once you have the measurements, you’ll need to research window styles and decide which is best for your home. You can also look into Renewal by Andersen window replacement which offers energy efficiency and installation.

Gather Your Equipment

Next, you’ll need to get all of the equipment you’ll need for the project readily available, as it will help ensure that you have what you need when you need it.

First and foremost, you’ll need safety glasses. Though they may not seem necessary, they’ll protect your eyes from dirt, dust, and wood in case the frame cracks. You may also want to lay down plastic tarps to help keep your floors clean.

Next, you’ll need a putty knife, caulking gun, hammer, screwdriver, power drill, and level. Getting these items ready before you start your construction project will prevent you from making multiple trips to your toolbox while helping you focus on the task at hand.

Remove the Old Window

Finally, you can begin removing the current window from the frame. To begin, you’ll want to remove the thin verticle strips from your window with a putty knife. Do this carefully, as you’ll need to reinstall these strips later.

Once you have removed the strips, you can remove the upper sash of your window. From there, you can remove the bottom portion of the window as the sash at the top is what holds it in place.

You’ll want to clean the space around your frame to prepare it for your replacement window.

Installing the New Fixture

Before you begin installing, you’ll want to place the new window into the opening. This helps ensure the window fits accurately before you start the permanent installation.

Before placing the window, you’ll need to ensure that the bottom of the sill is level. If it isn’t, you can place sill shims to help keep your window level.

Once you determine that your window fits, you can begin caulking the inside of the frame, applying the sealant to the head, jamb stops, and sill of the window.

Then, you can place the window in the frame, ensuring it completely contacts the previously laid sealant. You’ll then want to add shims in any spots that require additional support and place insulation.

Finally, you can add exterior trim around the outside of the wind before fully sealing it off to ensure there is no draft.

How to Replace Home Windows: Your Simple Guide

Though it may seem intimidating, knowing how to replace home windows can help you save money on an otherwise pricey project. Brushing up on the types of windows you can choose from before you start can help you make the most informed decision.

If you found this window installation guide helpful, you’ll want to head over to the rest of our website for more helpful home improvement hacks.