Replacement Windows Basics You Must Know

By Lee Wallender

Updated March 29, 2016.

Unless you have owned a house for a number of years, you may never have had any need to know about replacement windows. They are not something that enters your mode of thinking - until it is too late. By that time, rainwater is pouring into your house, drafts are blowing, and visitors commenting that your "Windows need painting."

Replacement windows are an odd home improvement item. They do not exactly "replace" your window entirely. What replacement windows do is replace a majority of the window--glass and moving parts--but the framed part of your window stays in place.

But ironically, sections around the window (and especially below the window, where water congregates) are the areas that are most damaged. Which means...

If the area around the window is so rotted out as to be structurally unsound, then you will use a new construction window.

In addition to putting in the new construction window, you would construct a substantial frame around the window to hold it in place.

Many homeowners, experiencing high energy costs, jump the gun and pull out all of their windows and replace them. In some cases, this is premature. The seals on the existing double-glazed windows may have failed, allowing cold or heat to more easily pass into the house. In this case, it is quite simple to repair or replace just the failed pane of glass, saving much money and effort.

The replacement window installation industry has gained a reputation over the last several decades of being overly aggressive, comparable to the reputation that door-to-door siding or encyclopedia salesmen gained in the latter half of the 20th century.

This reputation is not entirely unfounded. Since profit margins can be so high, some companies use less-than-savory tactics to make a sale. Consumers are advised to obtain at least 5 quotes, and to educate themselves as much as possible prior to signing any contracts. There are some companies, though, that are striving to change engrained attitudes towards replacement window companies.

Ifreplacement windowcompanies only installed in "optimal conditions" such as spring and summer, they would go out of business.

Window technicians may be less than happy about it--but you can get your windows replaced in winter, in cold, in snow, in ice--in anything short of a blizzard.

One problem, though, is that you may not get the best installation. If the technician is uncomfortable, he may rush the job through. Caulking may not set well in extreme conditions. Moisture can affect the tight tolerances related to window installation. Good companies know how to work through these problems.

One downside of scheduling during temperate seasons is that everyone else is doing the same thing. You may find yourself in a long queue for installation, or you may not even be able to get in during that period.

Replacement windows are a prime example of why it is sometimes nice to have professionals take on a home improvement project.

Pro window installers do this job day in and day out, and they have the tools and skills needed to knock it out in minutes instead of hours or days. In theory, a homeowner can save money by replacing his or her own windows, but by the time you have mastered your learning curve, you are practically finished with the entire project.

Replacement window companies often suggest no-name brand window manufacturers. Before rejecting these "no-names" in favor of big names like Pella or Andersen, weigh their features and cost. Again, because of the high level of competition out there, it is possible to obtain perfectly good no-name brand windows that are comparable with the expensive name-brand windows.

How much it costs to replace your windows depends on many factors: locale, window materials, type of glazing, installer, and so on. But it is safe to assume that most homeowners will not escape a whole-house window replacement for less than $10,000.

Some homeowners cut costs by hiring a handyman and having him replace the windows. You may save some money. But because the pro window installers have perfected the installation process (and often come in with crews of 10 or more men), the amount of money you save will not be as much as you think, and you certainly will not save time. One nice thing: replacement windows have great resale value when it comes time to sell your house.

Homeowners concerned about maintaining the "classic" look of their own house naturally will reject the idea of installing vinyl windows in favor of wood materials. But vinyl windows are worth a second glance. Vinyl framing materials inhibit energy loss, don't require sealing or painting, and a much cheaper than wood. Metal windows are often architecturally necessary (to match the style of contemporary homes), but they tend to be the worst for energy savings.

A double pane window, ordouble-glazed window, is two sheets of glass with an air or inert gas (krypton, argon, etc.) layer in the middle.

A double pane window can increase your energy efficiency by almost 100%. Chugach, an Alaska-based power company says that:

...a single pane glazed window has an approximate R-value of 0.85, while a double pane glazed window has a value of 1.5 - 2.0, a low-e double pane glazed window has a 2.4 - 3.0 rating and a low-e double pane glazed window using an argon gas fill has a 2.7 - 3.6 R-value.

For walls and attics, an R-value of 1 to 2 is not impressive. These areas are typically filled with fiberglass batt insulation, with R-values of 13 or greater. But within the world of windows, an R-value of 2 is decent.

The fact remains: double pane windows are becoming standard, even in parts of the country that are not ordinarily thought of as having extreme climates.

As you might suspect, it's no easy task to enlarge a window opening to accommodate a newer, larger-sized window. But does it require ripping out all of the wallboard and siding?

Thankfully, the answer is...No.

When you enlarge a window opening up to eight inches horizontally, you can keep the same header and sill (the top and bottom parts of the window) and just install one new vertical stud to either side of the window.

Yes, this means ripping out wallboard from floor to ceiling, but width-wise you only need to take out a foot or two, at most. This section of wallboard comes out to accommodate the new stud. And no exterior siding ever has to be removed.

It's always easier to order smaller sized windows than enlarging a window opening. But if you have to enlarge, it's certainly a manageable task.

Few homeowners who have been through the replacement window installation process will say that they care to repeat it. After all, it is necessary to invite 3-5 companies into your home to give quotes, and then invite one of those companies back to spend 2 or 3 days installing the windows (which necessitates being on the premises the entire time ). It is work, but worthwhile. Your house looks better and feels better. Your next round of wintertime energy bills are 10% lower. Your house is quieter.

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Replacement Windows Basics You Must Know