How to Choose Replacement Vinyl Windows

So you have finally made the decision to upgrade to vinyl replacement windows and get rid of those old wood windows.

You are shocked at the prices you are receiving from the 2 or 3 contractors that have come out to your home to give you estimates. Windows can’t possible cost so much that you are going to need a payment plan. You should know that the costs you are being quoted include much more than the windows. The contractors need to pay the salary of your salesperson, the cost of the installers, and of course the contractor or company owner needs to get paid as well. There might even be a broker who will get a piece of the action. Now you know why the price they gave you was so incredibly high. What if you knew how to complete the process yourself, shopping for windows, properly measuring for new windows, removing the old windows and installing the new ones? This knowledge could significantly reduce the cost of your new windows. The articles on this site can give you this knowledge. The following article begins the process with how measure for your new double hung replacement windows.

Measuring your windows properly is a very important step in ordering your new windows. Windows that are too small will require some improvisation for them to fit into the window opening. With small windows you are bound to have problems latter on, even if you are able to get them installed. Ordering windows that are too big will cause even greater problems, most likely leading you to order a whole new set of windows. This shows you just how important measuring is. The good news is that measuring is actually very easy.

The instructions in this article are for measuring old double hung windows. If you have a different type of window you will need to read another article. When measuring your wood sash windows you will want to measure the width first, and then the height. It is important to always give the dimensions for your new windows as width x height when you are shopping for your new windows. To get the width measurements place your tape measure at the top right corner and pull it towards the top left corner. The tape measure should be placed in the 1 ½” pocket where the window frame slides. The measurement should be to the sixteenth of an inch. Right about where the widow locks, about midway down the window, you are going to measure again using the same process. Next you will want to take the same measurement at the bottom of the window after lifting the bottom sash. If you are unable to raise the bottom sash you will need to go outside and take the measurement. Be careful to remove the screen prior to taking the measurement if you are outside.

If you are lucky, and most people are, all three of the measurements will be the same. In those rare cases that they are not the same, you will want to use the smallest measurement. After you have determined what the right measurement is, you will want to subtract ¼” from it. This number is the width measurement for your new windows. The height is a little more difficult to measure. Many outdoor window sills slope downward to give you good water drainage. If yours does slope, always measure from the highest point of the sill. Start your measurement at the top right hand corner and pull your tape measure to the bottom right hand corner. The top part of the tape should be placed where the upper sash closes. To prevent water from entering your home, some bottom window sills will have a 5/8” wood sill piece. When this sill piece is present you will need to open the bottom sash and run your measuring tape past it to the highest point of the sloped sill. Follow the exact same procedure in the middle and on the left side of the window. If they are different you will want to again go with the smallest measurement. This time you will subtract 3/16” from this measurement. This is your window height measurement.

Ordering your windows with these measurements will allow your window to fit into the opening, while still leaving a little room to make any necessary adjustments. Your last step will be to measure the depth of the pocket where the sashes slide. The depth is the area from where the top sash rests against the wood stop outside to the point inside where the inside bottom sash rests against the inside stop. This measurement is commonly between 3 ¼” and 3 ½”. As not all replacement windows have a frame that is 3 ¼”, it is important to know how deep your opening is. You will want to be sure to get replacement windows that will fit nicely into the existing space of the wood frame. If, for example you purchase windows that are 2 5/8” you will need to fill in about ¾”. Purchasing windows that are the same depth will save yourself the time and trouble of purchasing and installing new wood stops that make up the difference in the depth. Those on a tight budget may want to consider ordering the narrower windows, which are less expensive, and changing out the trim pieces. You will need to decide whether the money you save by purchasing the lower quality windows is worth the extra trouble and expense of installing new stops all around the inside you’re your window.

Once you have your measurements you can start your shopping. You need to know what kinds of things to look for in quality windows. One thing you will find on the new top quality double hung windows is a sash that tilts in to allow you to wash the outside glass while you are still in your home. Your window will also have some form of mechanism that allows your window to stay in the open position. The best windows will use a constant force balance coil to accomplish this. The new replacement windows will all have two panes of glass in each of the sashes that are separated by 1/2"-5/8" spacer material. A super spacer or intercept spacer will be used by the best windows. You can determine how well insulated the window is by asking for the U number. The lower numbers are the best insulating. It is best to purchase a window with a U value under .40. You can also find window products with Low-E glass that will give you a lower U number. The best quality windows make standard use of Low-E glass. These are the main points to take into consideration when you are shopping for windows.

If you are on a rather tight budget it is possible to find replacement windows that come without the tilting sashes. These windows will also have a less sophisticated mechanism for holding the window open, with most using a block and tackle assembly made up of a spring and string. Some lower quality windows will use spiral tube balance instead. Unfortunately, these lesser quality mechanisms have a reputation for beginning to fail after only five or ten years. You will find aluminum or swiggle seal used as spacer material on these low grade windows. The U value of these windows will usually be higher, most often around .50. Windows that have a super saver installed are unlikely to also have a block and tackle system. A good analogy would be purchasing a new luxury car with quality leather seat and manual windows and door locks. Using these guidelines you should have no trouble finding the right windows for your home and budget.

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