Replies

1. 
   Skip_Keith | Aug 26, 2001 07:17am | #1

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   The vinyl units I use have a floating top jamb. I've used them in some basement applications where we were replacing the old steel casement windows. They slipped right in.

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   Mark_"if_I_were_a_carpenter | Aug 27, 2001 05:36am | #2

   *what is the exterior? is it siding? brick? the reason I ask is that aluminum single hung windows can be a real bear to remove. if you can't expose the nailing flange(remove siding) then you must tear out the window from the inside of the opening. getting the sliding sash out is easy, the fixed sash can sometimes be kinda tricky, but if you can remove it without getting broken glass everywhere then you can just pull the aluminum fram in toward the opening and tear out the nails laterally. some people I know have been able to use a sawzall and run it along the perimeter of the window cutting it loose from the nailing flange, if you manage to do this succesfully without boogering up the inside and the outside of the surrounding trim, then you are a better man than I. if this was too confusing or you want any more advice, let me know. Good luck !

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   Bob_Covell | Aug 27, 2001 06:56am | #3

   *Mark-This window is in the back of a house. The sill is about 1 foot above the outside grade, and, inconveniently located under a wood deck with about 4 feet of clearance. The concrete foundation has a 2x wood frame, then there's some additional wood, possibly trim of some sort, around the perimeter of the window, itself. The interior is tiled at the sill, wallboard up the jambs. My thought was to remove the 'trim' from the outside, then, see if I couldn't get the window out from the exterior side. All of the replacement windows I've done before were done from the inside and did not involve an aluminum frame. BTW, the reason for replacement is that before the current tenant moved in, the lower sash 'disappeared'. I think some one tried to break in, but, the sash is nowhere to be found. Do aluminum windows have the same kind of nailing fin common on the newer vinyl ones? Is there some 'trick' for getting it out, or is it just screwed to the RO through the jamb? Thanks!

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   james_johnson | Aug 27, 2001 07:24am | #4

   *aluminum windows usually have a nail fin and are nailed directly to the rough opening or sheeting, you could remove the exterior trim and set your saw blade for just shy of the thickness of your siding material, cut around the window , remove siding ( trying not to damage the house wrap or felt ) install new nail fin window ( under the felt or wrap just like you found the old one), fill the hole you made in the siding with material same thickness, seal with protecto( a type of biuthane(sp)), re trim and your good to go. if it sounds like a pain it is, and if you have stucco it is a real pain, you have to save the chicken wire so that your new stucco can be tied to the old ( real pain in the ....)or just carefully cut off the nail fin form inside and install replacement ( non nail fin ) windows.

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   Bob_Covell | Aug 28, 2001 06:49am | #5

   *James-Thanks for the tip(s). Looks like this is going to be another of those wonderful learning experiences! Kind of interested to see what I'll find when I get into this. I'll keep you posted.

2. 
   Mark_"if_I_were_a_carpenter | Aug 28, 2001 07:15am | #6

   *Bob, in answer to your question, yes, every aluminum window that I've encountered has a continuous flange around the perimeter of the window which you nail through into the framing, just like vinyl windows. You're on the right track with going at it from the exterior. As James said, this job is rarely fun. Just be cautious during the removal. If you do manage to get the trim off and expose the nailing fin of the old window, then it will be a lot easier to install the new one as you will be able to just nail it up in place and overtrim . Otherwise if you cut the fin off in place and leave it you will have to remove the fin from the new window and screw it laterally through the side jambs. Again I say good luck.

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   Bob_Covell | Aug 28, 2001 07:15am | #7

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   I need to replace an aluminum, single hung window located in a shower stall. I've installed a few replacement windows in a wood, double hung situation, but, not an aluminum one. The ads I see for replacement windows talk about a small additional charge for aluminum tearouts, so there are apparently some new issues. What are the additional problems with an aluminum frame compared to a wood one? This window is in a finished basement area and is located in the concrete foundation wall with a 2x exposed wood, rough frame. Our local box store has a vinyl replacement that looks like it will fit. Anybody have any ideas or tricks? Thanks!