window install help

[mepstein]

I'm rehabbing my detached workshop and want to install some windows in a wall that currently has none. My neighbor gave me these. Can I use them or do I need new construction windows with a flange? I'm on a tight budget and a complete newbie when it comes to window install.

* I'm replacing the old T1-11 siding with wood sheathing, tyvek and vinyl siding so now is a good time to do the windows.

 

[yeldogt]

Vinyl ? They look like replacement windows.

Ideally -- require a frame w/ sill -- that is flashed on top. The window you have sits inside the frame.

It's not hard to make --- 3 sides w/ angle cut for sill -- three brick moulding for trim

 

[mepstein]

Vinyl ? They look like replacement windows.

Ideally -- require a frame w/ sill -- that is flashed on top. The window you have sits inside the frame.

It's not hard to make --- 3 sides w/ angle cut for sill -- three brick moulding for trim

I think I get what you are saying. I'll look at some youtube to see how to do this. I have three of the windows so I think it will be a good upgrade for the shop.

 

[yeldogt]

A replacement window is designed to sit where the sash on a wood window once was .... so you take out the sash and sticking and the window sits in the existing frame -- the old frame is the support and since it's all flashed -- nothing else to do.

You can make the frame out of 2x material if you have a way to cap it -- just make the RO bigger. The mistake people make with replacement windows is trying to use the RO as the frame. It needs to be independent so it can be squared and isolated from the building movement.

A friend of mine did his work building using "replacement" windows when a co went bust in 2008. He used common 2x 6 lumber for the frames -- cutting the bottoms of sides at an angle for the sill --- he used a larger 2x8 for the sill so he got the extension past the building -- notching the two sides. The trim just sat on the sill and got attached to the frame. He was able to bend AL trim ... so he clad the frame and sill ... attached the trim. This was a new building with 2x6 walls .... if 2x4 -- that's the frame. Typically you sit a replacement back a bit to protect it ... it's also the one time where caulk is a must.

I'm not very good at making AL clad -- So I would use something that I could paint ... or you could buy better fir construction lumber that paints up better. 2x is going to be heavy ..but it's easy to work and screw together.

 

[captain14]

^^. Above^^. This is the same thing a former neighbor does when he installs replacement basement windows. He ran a window replacement business. He used Lumber to the window frame, wrapped it with aluminum and the installed in the RO. Said this was much easier to
Do.

 

[mepstein]

So I first make a rough opening and then I make the frames for the windows. Thanks

 

[mepstein]

^^. Above^^. This is the same thing a former neighbor does when he installs replacement basement windows. He ran a window replacement business. He used Lumber to the window frame, wrapped it with aluminum and the installed in the RO. Said this was much easier to
Do.

I'll have to read up on how to wrap the frame with aluminum. thanks

 

[REDSHELBY]

Make the frames out of PVC board.

 

[yeldogt]

So I first make a rough opening and then I make the frames for the windows. Thanks

Yes --- there is always a RO

If you look at a typical "old school" wood window. There was no flange for nailing .. it was a simple thick wood frame. The old school way was to nail through the side frame. Today, true wood windows are installed with a strap attached to the side of the frame that sticks into the interior -- you bend this over and attache to the front of the RO.

If you purchase nice construction lumber from a real lumber yard -- they may even have cypress -- you can just prime the wood and paint. Make the frame to fit the window -- if the vinyl frame has a void -- you can place blocking on the frame and build the frame around the window. You build the frame with screws and fit it ... take it apart and place the blocking .. screw it back together and the blocking is within the vinyl frame.

After you have the frame built -- make the RO bigger ... so the frame can be properly set and leveled.

Bending and fitting AL is easy if you know how to do it -- I don't have a bender

 

[yeldogt]

Make the frames out of PVC board.

IMO -- too much flex.

 

[mepstein]

Make the frames out of PVC board.

I like that idea since then I don't have to wrap the wood. I don't want any exposed wood on the exterior and the easier this is, the better chance I have of getting it done.

What size PVC board do I use and how do I secure the window to the pvc frame?

 

[yeldogt]

I like that idea since then I don't have to wrap the wood. I don't want any exposed wood on the exterior and the easier this is, the better chance I have of getting it done.

What size PVC board do I use and how do I secure the window to the pvc frame?

The PVC will flex ... even if you get the thick stuff ... can you make it work with enough shims ... maybe

A better idea would be to make the frame from the 2x and use PVC to cover ... the extensions on the windows are wide enough ... glue the sill front.

If you don's make an angled sill it will leak.

I have used the PVC in many places ... it's not what I would use.

 

[cdestuck]

The frame you make to sit your window into should be a quarter inch larger for the height and width. For the trim to hold the window in place you can just take some nice two by fours and rip strips that are 1/2 inch by three-quarter inch to hold in your new windows. If you don’t have a tablesaw perhaps a friend can help you out with this. That’s a lot cheaper than buying actual parting bead

 

[Bert_]

The frame you make to sit your window into should be a quarter inch larger for the height and width. For the trim to hold the window in place you can just take some nice two by fours and rip strips that are 1/2 inch by three-quarter inch to hold in your new windows. If you don’t have a tablesaw perhaps a friend can help you out with this. That’s a lot cheaper than buying actual parting bead

You don't want parting bead. You want a stop.

Parting bead it what separates the upper and lower sash. It fits in a groove in the jamb.

The interior stop is screwed or nailed on the room side of the bottom sash. It is the part that would hold a replacement window.

 

[nadogail]

Like many other things; there are always going to be many opinions on the "Best" way to get any job done.

My advice is to do what ever it seems will work best for your particular circumstances. If anyone should ask, "Why did you do it That Way?", my suggested response is "It seemed like a good idea at the time".

 

[mepstein]

Like many other things; there are always going to be many opinions on the "Best" way to get any job done.

My advice is to do what ever it seems will work best for your particular circumstances. If anyone should ask, "Why did you do it That Way?", my suggested response is "It seemed like a good idea at the time".

The only problem is I don't know what works best or even how to start. Lack of knowledge hasn't stopped me before and some times getting it done is just the goal. I appreciate everyones input even though I don't understand some of the building terms.

So to step back just a bit. My workshop is 30 years old and has seen better days. It's been mostly used for storage but with lots of humidity and neglect, its become a moldy mouse motel. I recently pulled out all the interior wallboard and fiberglass insulation. sprayed it all down with bleach and power washed the concrete floor. I'm getting ready to pull down all the old T1-11 and replace with new siding and new doors. I plan to insulate with rock wool and install a mini split to I'd like to use the windows but it's not a have to. I'd like to do this all done in a couple months, not years.

The pic isn't pretty but I have to start somewhere.

 

[captain14]

You tube is your friend in this instance. Take a look after you type in installing windows, using an aluminum brake etc.

Try to do one at ground level before anything higher. Maybe drive around the neighborhood and see whose getting some one done. Someone may do something for you if you bring the matEdison’s

Some of the places that supply contractors may have a brake available to use.

Or even rent one for a long weekend after you see some instruction.