I was recently faced with installing windows in a new house, all by myself. Here’s how I did it, First I cut a couple of 2x4s about 8 in. longer than my widest window. Then I measured the distance that the windows projected from the house and cut four blocks equal to this distance plus 1/4 in. I screwed one block to the ends of each 2×4.
Working from the outside, I installed one of the vinyl windows and placed the 2x4s over it. I screwed the 2x4s to the wall on both sides of the window, as shown in the drawing. Now I was free to go inside and level the bottom of the window and center it in its opening with shims. The extra 1/4 in. allowed me to move the window without interference from the 2×4 crossbars. When the window was centered and level, I went back outside and nailed it in place, beginning with the bottom flange. Then I pulled out the crossbars and moved on to the next window.
—Scott Bruce, Grand Blanc, MI
Edited and illustrated by Charles Miller
From Fine Homebuilding #85
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Vinyl, very sad.
Nothing wrong with vinyl windows.
The wording of the previous comment is very elitist.
A good tip for installing windows...
Great tip that I will be using. Thanks!
I find that insecure people with little skills need to make themselves feel better by putting others down. These were the same people that were the bullies in middle school. I am a professional licensed remodeling contractor who recognizes that there is always room
for wisdom to be gained, and knowledge to be learned from others. There are many tips that I have learned over the years from other professionals, including those that post on this forum. I am sure that the negative comments prevent many from sharing their wisdom. Lets all try to ignore the "Lilsledge"s of this world. Sure, some tips may be simplistic to those of us who do this for a living, but we can all keep the comments positive and constructive for the benefit of others.
Thank-you for this tip. I am replacing several three-vent windows with three separate windows and — after reading your tip — created a brace that secures all three windows, allowing me to easily get them plumb, level and evenly spaced with one another before screwing them down. This ability to easily and precisely position the three widows will pay additional dividends when I install internal casing and seek to achieve a consistent 1/4" reveal between casement and jambs…as well as a single stool that is flush with all three jamb extensions.
Note that I stapled strips from an old cotton floor mat to the inner face of the brace to avoid scratching the windows.