Doors and Windows - Replace windows & doors
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02-19-01, 06:29 AM
The windows and doors are in our 1980 home are in very poor condition. The windows and sliding glass doors were not of high quality and the house has been vacant for several years. Some of the windows do not open and close. Some do not open at all, some open only with a great deal of force. Several of them do not close and lock properly. It seems the whole mechanism should be replaced.
I see no problem in replacing the second floor windows and sliding glass door since it is frame construction there. But the first floor is brick exterior on a slab. The five windows (30 x 50) and two sliding glass doors (6') are mortared in.
How do you replace these? Does this need to be done by an experienced professional or can a relatively skilled do-it-yourselfer do it on his own? Can a custom installer put in quality windows in the old frames?
I prefer doing things myself to save labor cost. I have replaced several windows and doors, but not in homes with a brick exterior. I have not torn out the inside of the doors and windows, which I assume would have to be done. All have drywall finished up to the edge of the window or door. At the least that would have to be torn out and rebuilt. Any suggestions or advice would be most helpful.
I see no problem in replacing the second floor windows and sliding glass door since it is frame construction there. But the first floor is brick exterior on a slab. The five windows (30 x 50) and two sliding glass doors (6') are mortared in.
How do you replace these? Does this need to be done by an experienced professional or can a relatively skilled do-it-yourselfer do it on his own? Can a custom installer put in quality windows in the old frames?
I prefer doing things myself to save labor cost. I have replaced several windows and doors, but not in homes with a brick exterior. I have not torn out the inside of the doors and windows, which I assume would have to be done. All have drywall finished up to the edge of the window or door. At the least that would have to be torn out and rebuilt. Any suggestions or advice would be most helpful.
02-19-01, 10:44 AM
Hi TAnder, well are your windows wooden, Aluminum or vynal?
in fact the windows that are fitted to a brick exterior are normally the easiest to replace, if they are Aluminium, or Vynal then all you need to do is break the bond between the inside wood work or plasterwork cut the windows out and remove from the out side, to measure for new windows measure the opening from the outside brick to brick horizontally first in three or more places top, middle and bottom, take the tightest size then deduct 1/16 or 5mm this would be the size of the o/all width of the window, do the same on the vertical allowing deductions for an exterior cill or addons to the sides if the interior reveals are a lot smaller than the exterior brick work, then when the windows are put back in and fixed in place you finish off the outside first with a silicone filler and cover over that with a cement band/fillet, on the inside us a painters caulk to the inside surround or use trims to cover around edges..
in fact the windows that are fitted to a brick exterior are normally the easiest to replace, if they are Aluminium, or Vynal then all you need to do is break the bond between the inside wood work or plasterwork cut the windows out and remove from the out side, to measure for new windows measure the opening from the outside brick to brick horizontally first in three or more places top, middle and bottom, take the tightest size then deduct 1/16 or 5mm this would be the size of the o/all width of the window, do the same on the vertical allowing deductions for an exterior cill or addons to the sides if the interior reveals are a lot smaller than the exterior brick work, then when the windows are put back in and fixed in place you finish off the outside first with a silicone filler and cover over that with a cement band/fillet, on the inside us a painters caulk to the inside surround or use trims to cover around edges..