How To Install Vinyl Windows

Looking to replace your old leaky, drafty windows but worried about the enormous expense? Think vinyl! Vinyl windows are cost-effective low-maintenance alternatives to pricey wood and aluminum frame windows and make for a terrific conventional choice. Vinyl windows come in a variety of designs like double-hung, sliding and casement windows and are easy to maintain and easy on the pocket as well. Vinyl windows aren’t just durable, but are also energy efficient, noise proof and extremely up-to-the-minute. They look utterly trendy and fit well into all kinds of structural designs. Now if you thought that installing new windows was a luxury too big for your wallet, just know that vinyl is the answer to your problems. All said and done, upgrading your windows is a big thing that requires careful consideration. If you are looking to install vinyl windows at your home but are clueless on how to go about it, look no further. Check out the following step-by-step guide on how to install vinyl windows and go for it.

Installing Vinyl Windows

Before you get on with the business of installing your new vinyl windows, make sure to remove the old sash first. Traditionally, double hung windows come with twin sets of removable stops. The inside stop supports the inner sash while the blind stop divides the two sashes. The third stop, which is the outside stop, is attached to the edge of the sash and is irremovable.
Using a lever, pry off the inside stop carefully, so as to not damage it. Hack the sash ropes to remove the lower sash and then gently pry off the blind stops. Your upper sash will come out easily.
Place the vinyl window in the opening. Make sure that the window fits in comfortably between the inside stool and outside stops of your former window. In case your vinyl replacement is more narrow-framed than your old window, you can nail in a wedge of wood to the jamb to stuff the crack between the outside stop and the window.
Vinyl windows come in two types- one with sloped extrusions and others flat. If your old window has a sloped sill, then using vinyl windows with sloped extrusions would make sense. If the bottom of your vinyl window is flat, then you can use a doorstop or a piece of lattice to prop up the front edge of your window.
If you do not wish to use lattice or a doorstop to prop your window, then you can use angled support to offer your vinyl window the required back up. Set your vinyl window in the opening and quickly measure the distance between the old sloped sill and the lower edge of your window.
To make the support, level the edge of a board at an angle to match the slope of the sill. Now rip off a strip of wood from the board. Cut it lengthwise and attach it to the surface under the spot where the front edge would rest.
Place the window in the center of the opening and using a carpenter’s square, see that the window is perfectly square. Now shim the edges of your vinyl window right behind the predrilled screw holes in the jamb. Tightly screw the window in the side jambs and then put back the inside stop.
Check the window to see if it operates well. Now take a narrow bead of caulking and run through the window gap to seal the outside stop.

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