Replacing Windows on Your Multi Story Home

When it comes times to replace the windows on your two story home you will want to be aware of some cleaver tricks that will make installing the upper windows safer and simpler.

You can install the windows from inside the home if they are replacement style frames. This means the only thing you will need to do on the ladder outside is caulk the exterior. Since these are relatively easy to do, we will focus on installing second floor retrofit style windows. The old windows can usually be removed fairly easily from inside the home, with the exception of picture windows. If you have a picture window you will need to remove the stops holding the glass in place using an extension ladder outside. Once you have the stops removed it will be easy to remove the glass from the frame from the inside with a putty knife. It is a good idea to place on tarp on the floor to catch any pieces of glass that may fall while you are removing the window. Be sure that the outside areas below the window are clear of both people and animals before you begin.

Your new windows can be easily installed from inside the home. Unless of course you are using retrofit windows which need to be installed from the outside and raised into place. Now that you are ready to install your new windows, the first step is to carry them up the stairs. You will need to remove the screen and sliding panel on sliders. The next step will require that you have a helper. You will want to extend the window frame through the opening on an angle, making sure that the retrofit lip is completely outside of the opening. Now you can pull the window back towards you and install it as if you were working from the outside. You should place is screw in the top center of the window frame to keep it in place while your helper holds on to the center bar. The entire installation can now be done from the inside. Caulking the exterior is the only step you will need to do from your ladder outside the window. It is always a good idea to place a large bead of caulk where the exterior of the house and the window frame meet. Any gaps that are left in this area will allow water to come in past the frame and work its way down through the walls or ceilings. Once you remove the sliding panels and screens two people should be able to quickly and easily install a 8’ by 5’ sliding window on the second floor. It is even possible to do one as large as 10’ by 5’ with just you and one helper. One time saving trick is to install a bead of caulk around the outside of the old face frame prior to installing the new frame from inside the house.

Picture windows are a little more difficult to install from the inside. The frame of picture windows is more difficult to get a really good grip on, and panels can not be removed to make it lighter and easier to work with. The good news is that you will usually not find second story picture windows that are larger than 3’ by 5’. If you find yourself needing to install several second story picture windows, or a very large second story picture window, it is a good idea to purchase those suctions cups that are used in the glass industry. These suction cups can be attached to the glass of the picture window and used as handles when you are extending the window frame outside of the opening from the inside. These suction cups are available from many online retailers, with small ones usually running about $40 a piece.

With the knowledge you now have you should have no worries about replacing your windows without hiring a high priced contractor. Now you know that you can handle even the second floor windows with no trouble at all.

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