How to Install Retrofit Vinyl Windows

The easiest windows to install are retrofit vinyl windows. One reason for this is that it comes with the exterior trim already attached.

This exterior trim is the flush fin that will go against the outside surface of your home, most commonly stucco. Your first step will be to drill 3/8” holes into the parts of the frame where you will screw the new window into place. This typically includes three holes along the top of the frame and three holes along each side of the frame. You should not drill holes along the bottom track. When you remove the old window, be sure to leave the old aluminum frame in place. Once you have prepared the new window, run a bead of caulk along the old aluminum frame. You can then have someone assist in raising the new vinyl window into place on the old aluminum bottom track. The window will be held in place by the flush fin which will act as a stop. Go inside your home while your assistant holds the window from the outside.

From inside the house you will center the window in the opening. You will want to ensure that the window is both plumb and level by sliding the vent panel open and closed. You can place a shim between the sill and the bottom of the window frame on either the left or right side in order to adjust a window that is out of square. After your window is square you will want to insert 3” deck screws through the 3/8” holes you drilled earlier, making sure they go into the wood studs. Be careful not to over tighten the screws. Remove the sliding panel after you place the screws along the sides and top. You should then be able to lift out the bottom track. Insert a screwdriver into the drainage holes in the track so that you can lift if up. You will want to place one screw in the center of the bottom, and then be sure to caulk around it. Once this is complete you can replace the track and the sliding panel. You should then caulk the area outside where the exterior surface of the house and the retrofit fin meet. This is important to provide protection against water infiltration. You will now have a double layer of protection as you already applied a liberal bead of caulk prior to putting the window in place. You will want to go back inside to complete the job.

You will want to hide the screw head by plugging the 3/8” holes you drilled in the beginning. You can purchase hole plugs from online retailers. These hole plugs are nice because they fit right into the hole. Now you need to install R-13 insulation around the new frame. The foam insulation that comes in a can should not be used here, as it may void your manufacturers warranty on the windows. You can get distortion of the frame even if you use a non-expanding foam product. Be sure to pack the insulation tightly around the frame. Many people are very sensitive to the insulation material, so it may be a good idea to wear a dust mask while you complete this part of the job. You can then install trim around the inside of the frame to complete the project. While many people purchase wood trim from their local hardware store, the best product to use is a vinyl trim that matches the vinyl frame of the window. You can purchase this vinyl trim from online retailers or local window suppliers. The trim comes in a variety of different widths, with 1 ¾” being the most popular. The trim will usually have a double sided adhesive tape on the back to make installation a snap. The top and bottom pieces should be installed first by sticking it to the vinyl frame, being sure that the trim reaches all the way to the drywall. The trim will cover up the old metal frame and the insulation you have installed. You will then need to install the side pieces and caulk the areas where the walls and trim meet.

The process for installing a replacement frame is very similar to the process for installing a retrofit frame, with a few key differences. The first is that you will not have a flush fin to hold the window in place when you place a replacement frame into the window opening. You will need your helper to firmly hold the window in place as you put a screw into the top center to keep the window in place. You will make your adjustments to ensure that your window is square after you insert the top center screw. You will follow the same procedures on the inside, including hole plugs, insulation, trimming, and caulking, as you would with a retrofit frame. On the outside you will need to install trim as you will not have the retrofit frame. Most people prefer flat trim. You will need to apply a bead of caulk around the old frame, and then measure and install the top and bottom trim pieces. The adhesive that is on the vinyl trim should be attached to the vinyl frame, while the other part of the trim should touch the bead of caulk. Once all four sides have been trimmed you will want to apply another bead of caulk where the exterior material and the trim meet.

This procedure works well no matter what type of exterior material you have, be it stone, stucco, brick, or siding. Vinyl windows can be easily installed without damaging the surrounding structure.

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