Installing Your New Units

Wear a dust mask to avoid inhaling paint dust or chips. Older homes can have lead paint. You should consider getting a helper, someone to help hold the window units in place so you can install the mounting screws accurately.

Standing inside your house, pry off the stop moldings with a flat prying bar. Pull out the bottom sash and lay it down inside where it won’t be damaged. You don’t want broken glass to deal with. Next, cut the ropes that are holding the windows in. Have your helper hold the ropes so the heavy iron counter weights don’t drop down inside the wall. Pull them out and discard them. Remove the top sash unit using the same technique. After your old units are out, vacuum up the loose dust and paint chips from your opening.

Set your new window in place to see how it fits. If it looks okay, pull out the window and get the opening ready to accept it. Squeeze a thick bead of caulk on the sill and sides of the opening for your new unit to "set into". Carefully place your new unit into the opening and into the caulking. Push the unit forward towards the outside stop moldings.

Use your level to see if it is plumb. Use wood or vinyl shims to adjust your unit as is needed to assure they are plumb. Modern vinyl replacement windows will already have holes drilled in the side jambs for mounting. Once your unit is square and plumb, install the mounting screws. You should have accurate shimming everywhere a screw is used to avoid forcing the unit out of square or plumb.

Check to see how your window operates. Slide the sashes up and down. Adjust your shims and mounting screws as needed until the windows slide freely. Also check the tilt-in feature for proper operation.

When all units are working properly, caulk around any open air spaces and re-nail your moldings back into the wet caulking. Reapply caulking inside and outside to seal any remaining gaps. Wait several weeks for your caulking to totally cure before touching up the paint.

In Closing

Installing brand new vinyl replacement windows is an easy do-it-yourself project. Your rewards will be many. Your home will look better and increase in value. If you are still a little weary about handling the project on your own, hire a pro.

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