I would like to do a complete window replacement in a rental property. The siding is aluminum which extends to the windows. I am concerned with cutting away the aluminum to leave room for nailing flanges. Any suggestions?
Also, any suggestions regarding a good quality reasonably priced window?
Replies
What are the current windows? Replacements into most good condition wood jambs wouldn't require messing with the siding.
A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
Thanks Calvin. The current windows are most likely those that were installed during construction which likely was in the 1950's. They are single pane with installed aluminum storms. I need to examine the frames to insure they are in good conditioins. I also ned to verify the sills are in good condition.
The house is in generally good condition, except for the windows which are in desperate need (on the exterior). Are you aware of a reasonably priced good quality replacement? I prefer wood inside and vinyl out.
Andersen makes a nice replacement window.
As for resonably priced that's a matter of opinion. You get what you pay for.
Besides andersen, I've have installed and liked the replacement from Pella, exterior alum. Marvin has something you should look at (has a name that doesn't come to me..........integrity?)A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
While Home Depot is not my favorite place, I've had good luck in using their American Craftmans brand replacement windows in places like rental units. Another brand I've used is CertainTeed. They go in easy (you have to get your measurements right), and are relatively cheap. I'm sure other lumberyards and big box stores use other manufactures so I'd check them out.
American craftsman and certainteed have wood interiors?
Interesting.
No, American Craftsman and CertainTeed don't have wood interiors, just another option for replacing windows in a rental unit that is less expensive and less time consuming to install.
Although I'm a proponent of good windows like Anderson & Marvin (you only get 1 time to do it right) I wouldn't spend the extra $$$ for them to install on a rental. I bet a local window supplier or the BBs could get you something decent enough for a rental.
As for just replacement sashes to go with your old frames, the same story. Why spend the extra $$$ for the nicer brands if the frames are like R-sieves.
I am concerned with cutting away the aluminum to leave room for nailing flanges.
Why are you concerned? You remove the J channel and the alluminum siding. Buy windows with integrated J channel and then reside.
1st- how much money you want to spend on windows cause I can help you but I need sizes and budget .
2nd- rental property to keep and move in when you get old or eventually sell one day?
3rd - stick built, cvs, mobile or modular home?
4th- how many windows with East West exposure?
5th - does Energy efficiency out weigh cost in any of your other purchases? Do you buy compact flourescent bulbs or the regular etc?
Why are you concerned? You remove the J channel and the alluminum siding. Buy windows with integrated J channel and then reside.
That was going to be my advice.
What RPAIT said!!!
Last year I installed 8 new construction windows in my old house.
Start at the top and CAREFULLY remove the siding to at least one course below the window. I used a grease pencil and marked the very top edge of each piece before I removed it. I also numbered/lettered each piece so i know where it came from.
Then I pulled out the old windows and replaced them with Vinyl new construction windows from Pella. They had a built in J channel. Pulled them right off the shelf at Lowes. Before you unside your house make sure to check that they have your size in stock. I think I might have just been lucky.
Then I refit the old siding and to finish up I washed it.
I had aluminum windows already and some of my neighbors had replacements fitted and they looked like hell because they were bascially just smaller windows inside the old frames with big giant coil stock trim around them to cover the old frames.
On the other hand, if you have old wood framed windows that you can remove the sashes from and just install some nice tilt in replacements.......................disregard the above.
Robert, I understand. My concern is lack of knowledge on procedures to remove aluminum siding and follow on re-install. I have installed new construction windows in my own home, however it is has barn siding and I was able to cut away a section with a circ saw, install the window and wrap with brick mold. Also, damaged shakes can be quickly re-installed.
Can I cut around the window in some fashion or am I making too much of a problem out of removing and reinstalling the aluminum siding?
Bobian,
I replaced 4-5 windows last year on a house w/ alum siding. We simply used a circ. saw w/ plywood blade to cut the siding back ~3" around the window.
Once the new window was installed, we bent our own alum J channel and slid it behind the siding, securing it w/ a P-shooter. We then installed cedar backers next to the window frame and clad the whole thing in coil stock.
While some people don't like that look, I personally prefer a wider window trim, compared to the J channel butted up to a narrow window frame.
This method has worked quite well in the past and is a whole lot easier, (IMO) than trying to remove alum siding w/o bending or damaging it.
Vintage1, would a brick mold with perhaps a dado on one side to accept the aluminum work?
That's possible, but it really doesn't leave you much room.
A 2" wide brickmould with even a 1/2" rabbet means you are cutting 1 1/2" away from the window. I think you are going to need more room to get some type of flashing installed on the new window.
If you don't like coil stock trim, you could use azek, miratec, or some other synthetic to create the same effect.
Vintage1, thanks for the advice. I know it will be very useful later.
Bobian,
Yup, your making too much of it. If you just pull the siding off, replace the windows and reside you'll be much happier with the end result.
Care, thought and preperation required.
By the way, I got Pella Thermastars from Lowes for under $200 each and was very happy with them.
In my opinion, replacement windows that fit inside the old frames ALWAYS look like hell!It totally destroys what window openings should look like, mangles the scale of the opening, and boggers the trim.And that is if you get the color correct. Even worse is white windows stuck inside of a dark frame.
I had the same problem with replacement windows in my home. I purchased Pella all vinyl windows that come with a nailing flange. The nice thing about these windows is they come with a groove for siding to fit behind without using a trim piece.
I measured the distance between the siding for the height and width. I subtracted the width of the nailing flange and ordered the windows in that size. The window with the flange fit in between the siding trim on the sides and slipped in behind the siding on the height. I filled the gap where the nailing flange was showing with 1" x 2" PVC cut to length. Rather then nailing the PVC in I caulked it instead. That way if I replace the aluminum with new siding the PVC can be removed and the new siding will fit in the grove.
If you want to try this method let me know and I will send you some photos.