Doors and Windows - What's holding my alum sliders in cinder block wall opening
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MGotcha
01-16-08, 07:38 PM
I want to replace the 25yr old aluminum sliders on my (cinder) block home in Arizona, but it's not obvious how they are fastened into the openings. They are set halfway into the 9" deep wall, directly contacting the block (no bucks) but there are no visable fasteners in the windows to the block. On the inside, drywall goes up to the window frame and on the outside bottom, "coped" block is on the bottom creating a slight incline for water to drain off from. There is no trim covering anything. Any ideas what my be holding them in & how I should fasten the new ones in (tapcon screws??)
XSleeper
01-16-08, 08:19 PM
Welcome to the DIY forums!
I'm not overly familiar with Arizona construction methods. Some aluminum windows are mortared into a "notch" in the center of the block. Others have tabs that are fastened behind the drywall. Some might even be shimmed in place and caulked. Depending how your home was constructed, you may even have a double block wall with a 1" gap between walls, in which case the windows may have a nailing flange that may or may not be fastened to anything. I've been to Tucson, but didn't disect any windows while I was there! ;)
Tearout will involve removing the glass, then cutting the aluminum frame into sections with a reciprocating saw, and collapsing the whole frame in on itself. Tearing them out is the easy part.
As for fastening the new windows, yes, I'd recommend you shim them in place and fasten them with tapcons- the number and location would depend on the size of the window and the manufacturer's instructions.
When caulking windows to masonry openings, I always recommend urethane sealants for their longevity. Vulkum is one that might be available in your area.
I'm not overly familiar with Arizona construction methods. Some aluminum windows are mortared into a "notch" in the center of the block. Others have tabs that are fastened behind the drywall. Some might even be shimmed in place and caulked. Depending how your home was constructed, you may even have a double block wall with a 1" gap between walls, in which case the windows may have a nailing flange that may or may not be fastened to anything. I've been to Tucson, but didn't disect any windows while I was there! ;)
Tearout will involve removing the glass, then cutting the aluminum frame into sections with a reciprocating saw, and collapsing the whole frame in on itself. Tearing them out is the easy part.
As for fastening the new windows, yes, I'd recommend you shim them in place and fasten them with tapcons- the number and location would depend on the size of the window and the manufacturer's instructions.
When caulking windows to masonry openings, I always recommend urethane sealants for their longevity. Vulkum is one that might be available in your area.