I’m helping my father replace some windows in one of his duplexes. They are older aluminum double-pane windows and the seal between the panes has gone bad and “gunk” has formed on the inside of the windows.
Assuming we can find a window that fits the current opening, should we just pull the trim, pull the window and replace?
Or, should we peal the trim back on the inside and outside so that we’re back to the rough opening of the window, and find a window that fits the “original” rough opening?
Thanks.
Replies
I'm no window expert, but I had mine replaced years ago and all they did was pop off the outside trim remove the old and install the new. I have since replaced them all with vinyl which is the way I should have gone to begin with. That's why they call me "do it twice Bob".
Bob
"Rather be a hammer than a nail"
I agree. It would probably cost as much to replace the glass in the aluminum as it would be to buy new vinyl. The vinyl can be ordered to fit whatever the rough openings are.
"assuming we can find a window that fits the opening..."
With a vinyl replacement window, you order the size so as to custom fit. Finding a window to fit your opening won't be a problem. Measure the window width from jamb to jamb, and the height from stool to head jamb. Most window manufacturers will "cut down" the size of the window by a 1/4 inch or so on both height and width so as to make sure the installer has enough "wiggle room" to insert the new replacement window into the existing opening. Find out what the "cut-down" measurements are for that brand and then order your windows accordingly.
Allow a total of 1/4 inch on width ( which gives you 1/8 "play" per side) and 1/8 to 3/16ths inch on height. (Sit window flush on bottom and use the wiggle room at the top.) If your inside stops are large enough to "hide" a little larger gap on either the width or height, go for it; makes it that much easier to fit in place.
Just for the record, you can pull off the exterior stops and install from the outside, but its normally just as easy ( and safer if working on 2nd story level or higher) to pull off the interior window stops and insert window from the inside.
LOL.
Davo