I was chatting with a buddy of mine about replacing my windows and I
mentioned that I was planning on removing the siding to get to the window.
He basically shook his head and mentioned that typically what is done is a
circular saw is run around the perimeter of the window and that is what is
used to remove the window. Basically he described it as cutting out the
siding that hides the window frame and attachpoints then installing the new
window, then using 1x2's or whatever to frame the window and cover up the
cut the circular saw made.

Is he basically correct here. For some reason I just can't see myself
taking a circular saw to the siding as proper window replacement.

Visit www.pella.com or the Andersen window site and download instructions on
installing their windows. Read warranties. Without proper flashing, you
might as well keep your old windows. The flashing should go beyond the
window frame width so I don't see how you can do it right without removing
the siding unless you use very wide trim. The flashing is also supposed to
be attached to the paper underneath the siding (assuming you have tyvek or
something similar).


"Eigenvector" wrote in message
. ..
I was chatting with a buddy of mine about replacing my windows and I
mentioned that I was planning on removing the siding to get to the window.
He basically shook his head and mentioned that typically what is done is a
circular saw is run around the perimeter of the window and that is what is
used to remove the window. Basically he described it as cutting out the
siding that hides the window frame and attachpoints then installing the new
window, then using 1x2's or whatever to frame the window and cover up the
cut the circular saw made.

Is he basically correct here. For some reason I just can't see myself
taking a circular saw to the siding as proper window replacement.

"Art" wrote in message
nk.net...
Visit www.pella.com or the Andersen window site and download instructions
on installing their windows. Read warranties. Without proper flashing,
you might as well keep your old windows. The flashing should go beyond
the window frame width so I don't see how you can do it right without
removing the siding unless you use very wide trim. The flashing is also
supposed to be attached to the paper underneath the siding (assuming you
have tyvek or something similar).



Thanks for the link. As for Tyvek - Hahahahahahaaaaaaa, nope I'd be amazed
if my house had plywood under the siding. It was just too cheaply made for
fancy geegaws like a vapor barrier.

"Eigenvector" wrote in message
. ..
I was chatting with a buddy of mine about replacing my windows and I
mentioned that I was planning on removing the siding to get to the window.
He basically shook his head and mentioned that typically what is done is a
circular saw is run around the perimeter of the window and that is what is
used to remove the window. Basically he described it as cutting out the
siding that hides the window frame and attachpoints then installing the
new window, then using 1x2's or whatever to frame the window and cover up
the cut the circular saw made.

Is he basically correct here. For some reason I just can't see myself
taking a circular saw to the siding as proper window replacement.

Without seeing a picture of the house, I have to ask why you can't pop
in some replacement windows and not do any cutting.

If you are cutting out the frames to put in bigger windows or
something, the siding will be the least of your worries.


Eigenvector wrote:
"Art" wrote in message
nk.net...
Visit www.pella.com or the Andersen window site and download instructions
on installing their windows. Read warranties. Without proper flashing,
you might as well keep your old windows. The flashing should go beyond
the window frame width so I don't see how you can do it right without
removing the siding unless you use very wide trim. The flashing is also
supposed to be attached to the paper underneath the siding (assuming you
have tyvek or something similar).



Thanks for the link. As for Tyvek - Hahahahahahaaaaaaa, nope I'd be amazed
if my house had plywood under the siding. It was just too cheaply made for
fancy geegaws like a vapor barrier.

"Eigenvector" wrote in message
. ..
I was chatting with a buddy of mine about replacing my windows and I
mentioned that I was planning on removing the siding to get to the window.
He basically shook his head and mentioned that typically what is done is a
circular saw is run around the perimeter of the window and that is what is
used to remove the window. Basically he described it as cutting out the
siding that hides the window frame and attachpoints then installing the
new window, then using 1x2's or whatever to frame the window and cover up
the cut the circular saw made.

Is he basically correct here. For some reason I just can't see myself
taking a circular saw to the siding as proper window replacement.

"Eigenvector" wrote in message
. ..
I was chatting with a buddy of mine about replacing my windows and I
mentioned that I was planning on removing the siding to get to the window.
He basically shook his head and mentioned that typically what is done is a
circular saw is run around the perimeter of the window and that is what is
used to remove the window. Basically he described it as cutting out the
siding that hides the window frame and attachpoints then installing the new
window, then using 1x2's or whatever to frame the window and cover up the
cut the circular saw made.

Is he basically correct here. For some reason I just can't see myself
taking a circular saw to the siding as proper window replacement.


That may be the way the hacks do it. It is not they way it would be done on
a house of mine.

http://photos.imageevent.com/eigenve...e/P8190010.JPG
http://photos.imageevent.com/eigenve...e/P8190009.JPG
http://photos.imageevent.com/eigenve...e/P8190008.JPG

That's basically what my windows are like, standard 1960 single pane
aluminum frame.

"Pat" wrote in message
ups.com...
Without seeing a picture of the house, I have to ask why you can't pop
in some replacement windows and not do any cutting.

If you are cutting out the frames to put in bigger windows or
something, the siding will be the least of your worries.


Eigenvector wrote:
"Art" wrote in message
nk.net...
Visit www.pella.com or the Andersen window site and download
instructions
on installing their windows. Read warranties. Without proper
flashing,
you might as well keep your old windows. The flashing should go beyond
the window frame width so I don't see how you can do it right without
removing the siding unless you use very wide trim. The flashing is
also
supposed to be attached to the paper underneath the siding (assuming
you
have tyvek or something similar).



Thanks for the link. As for Tyvek - Hahahahahahaaaaaaa, nope I'd be
amazed
if my house had plywood under the siding. It was just too cheaply made
for
fancy geegaws like a vapor barrier.

"Eigenvector" wrote in message
. ..
I was chatting with a buddy of mine about replacing my windows and I
mentioned that I was planning on removing the siding to get to the
window.
He basically shook his head and mentioned that typically what is done
is a
circular saw is run around the perimeter of the window and that is what
is
used to remove the window. Basically he described it as cutting out
the
siding that hides the window frame and attachpoints then installing the
new window, then using 1x2's or whatever to frame the window and cover
up
the cut the circular saw made.

Is he basically correct here. For some reason I just can't see myself
taking a circular saw to the siding as proper window replacement.

Take your pictures down to your building supply store and talk to them
about vinyl replacement windows and how to install them. It is very
likely that you can put some in without touching the outside. If
you're feeling industrious, you might carefully take out a window and
remove the sill and sides to see what's there and take pics of that
too.

I would guess that if you raise the window, you can take out the glass.
Do so. Then gently pry up the inside sill and remove it. Then figure
out how to remove the bottom plate of the window. Likely it's just a
couple of screws. Take that out. Then, basically the window comes
into piece in front of you when you take out the side screws. No
reason to cut the siding. I'm no expert on windows, but almost
everyone one I've seen come out (and goes in) from the inside.

Once you've measured them up, they just order them in whatever size you
need.

If you want to start hacking around because you want bigger windows,
get ready for a major project because you have serious structural
issues to deal with then (replacing the header, etc.).

Eigenvector wrote:
http://photos.imageevent.com/eigenve...e/P8190010.JPG
http://photos.imageevent.com/eigenve...e/P8190009.JPG
http://photos.imageevent.com/eigenve...e/P8190008.JPG

That's basically what my windows are like, standard 1960 single pane
aluminum frame.

"Pat" wrote in message
ups.com...
Without seeing a picture of the house, I have to ask why you can't pop
in some replacement windows and not do any cutting.

If you are cutting out the frames to put in bigger windows or
something, the siding will be the least of your worries.


Eigenvector wrote:
"Art" wrote in message
nk.net...
Visit www.pella.com or the Andersen window site and download
instructions
on installing their windows. Read warranties. Without proper
flashing,
you might as well keep your old windows. The flashing should go beyond
the window frame width so I don't see how you can do it right without
removing the siding unless you use very wide trim. The flashing is
also
supposed to be attached to the paper underneath the siding (assuming
you
have tyvek or something similar).



Thanks for the link. As for Tyvek - Hahahahahahaaaaaaa, nope I'd be
amazed
if my house had plywood under the siding. It was just too cheaply made
for
fancy geegaws like a vapor barrier.

"Eigenvector" wrote in message
. ..
I was chatting with a buddy of mine about replacing my windows and I
mentioned that I was planning on removing the siding to get to the
window.
He basically shook his head and mentioned that typically what is done
is a
circular saw is run around the perimeter of the window and that is what
is
used to remove the window. Basically he described it as cutting out
the
siding that hides the window frame and attachpoints then installing the
new window, then using 1x2's or whatever to frame the window and cover
up
the cut the circular saw made.

Is he basically correct here. For some reason I just can't see myself
taking a circular saw to the siding as proper window replacement.

"Pat" wrote in message
oups.com...
Take your pictures down to your building supply store and talk to them
about vinyl replacement windows and how to install them. It is very
likely that you can put some in without touching the outside. If
you're feeling industrious, you might carefully take out a window and
remove the sill and sides to see what's there and take pics of that
too.

I would guess that if you raise the window, you can take out the glass.
Do so. Then gently pry up the inside sill and remove it. Then figure
out how to remove the bottom plate of the window. Likely it's just a
couple of screws. Take that out. Then, basically the window comes
into piece in front of you when you take out the side screws. No
reason to cut the siding. I'm no expert on windows, but almost
everyone one I've seen come out (and goes in) from the inside.

Once you've measured them up, they just order them in whatever size you
need.

If you want to start hacking around because you want bigger windows,
get ready for a major project because you have serious structural
issues to deal with then (replacing the header, etc.).


No I'm not ready to tackle doing larger windows. I just couldn't figure out
in my head how old windows are removed. What I was told sounded reasonable
but destructive. But looking at the siding, I'd have to remove the entire
siding from the house just to get the window out and its likely I'll bust
planks doing it given the age of the wood.

So I asked. Someone responded basically that carving up the siding is only
what a hack would do - so now I'm curious exactly how a professional quality
job would do it? What you're indicating in this post is that the window is
dismantled from the inside. But that raises a question in my mind as to how
you remove the old window frame flashing ( I call it flashing, you know the
metal tang that goes around the perimeter of the window and holds it to the
house).

Eigenvector wrote:
http://photos.imageevent.com/eigenve...e/P8190010.JPG
http://photos.imageevent.com/eigenve...e/P8190009.JPG
http://photos.imageevent.com/eigenve...e/P8190008.JPG

That's basically what my windows are like, standard 1960 single pane
aluminum frame.

"Pat" wrote in message
ups.com...
Without seeing a picture of the house, I have to ask why you can't pop
in some replacement windows and not do any cutting.

If you are cutting out the frames to put in bigger windows or
something, the siding will be the least of your worries.


Eigenvector wrote:
"Art" wrote in message
nk.net...
Visit www.pella.com or the Andersen window site and download
instructions
on installing their windows. Read warranties. Without proper
flashing,
you might as well keep your old windows. The flashing should go
beyond
the window frame width so I don't see how you can do it right
without
removing the siding unless you use very wide trim. The flashing is
also
supposed to be attached to the paper underneath the siding
(assuming
you
have tyvek or something similar).



Thanks for the link. As for Tyvek - Hahahahahahaaaaaaa, nope I'd be
amazed
if my house had plywood under the siding. It was just too cheaply
made
for
fancy geegaws like a vapor barrier.

"Eigenvector" wrote in message
. ..
I was chatting with a buddy of mine about replacing my windows and I
mentioned that I was planning on removing the siding to get to the
window.
He basically shook his head and mentioned that typically what is
done
is a
circular saw is run around the perimeter of the window and that is
what
is
used to remove the window. Basically he described it as cutting out
the
siding that hides the window frame and attachpoints then installing
the
new window, then using 1x2's or whatever to frame the window and
cover
up
the cut the circular saw made.

Is he basically correct here. For some reason I just can't see
myself
taking a circular saw to the siding as proper window replacement.

Eigenvector wrote:
"Pat" wrote in message
oups.com...
Take your pictures down to your building supply store and talk to them
about vinyl replacement windows and how to install them. It is very
likely that you can put some in without touching the outside. If
you're feeling industrious, you might carefully take out a window and
remove the sill and sides to see what's there and take pics of that
too.

I would guess that if you raise the window, you can take out the glass.
Do so. Then gently pry up the inside sill and remove it. Then figure
out how to remove the bottom plate of the window. Likely it's just a
couple of screws. Take that out. Then, basically the window comes
into piece in front of you when you take out the side screws. No
reason to cut the siding. I'm no expert on windows, but almost
everyone one I've seen come out (and goes in) from the inside.

Once you've measured them up, they just order them in whatever size you
need.

If you want to start hacking around because you want bigger windows,
get ready for a major project because you have serious structural
issues to deal with then (replacing the header, etc.).


No I'm not ready to tackle doing larger windows. I just couldn't figure out
in my head how old windows are removed. What I was told sounded reasonable
but destructive. But looking at the siding, I'd have to remove the entire
siding from the house just to get the window out and its likely I'll bust
planks doing it given the age of the wood.

So I asked. Someone responded basically that carving up the siding is only
what a hack would do - so now I'm curious exactly how a professional quality
job would do it? What you're indicating in this post is that the window is
dismantled from the inside. But that raises a question in my mind as to how
you remove the old window frame flashing ( I call it flashing, you know the
metal tang that goes around the perimeter of the window and holds it to the
house).

You're down south and I'm up north. What you have as a window is
basically what we use as storm windows. Up here, they don't use
flashing to hold window into place. I doubt if they do there, either.

When they frame a house, they leave a box for the window. Then slide
the window in, make sure it's square (real important), and screw it
into place. then put up the molding and trim.

In on pic there appears to be a screw. Tha't what holding it in place.

So either take your pics to a store or CAREFULLY remove the window,
then the trim and see what you have. Probably the aluminum is just
held in by some screws. If you remove them, you be back to the
framing. Ask the store about measuring, but usually it's edge to edge
of the framing.

Going some googling wouldn't hurt, either. See how to DIY a
replacement window.

A little scary, but not too hard.

If they wrapped the window in aluminum when the sided it, put the
window to that point and caulk it. If you want it gone, probably a
dremel tool would work as well as anything. But again, go ask at the
store.

As always, if you are messing with old paint (pre-1980), work
carefully, work wet, and clean up carefully afterwards (HEPA vac only).




Eigenvector wrote:
http://photos.imageevent.com/eigenve...e/P8190010.JPG
http://photos.imageevent.com/eigenve...e/P8190009.JPG
http://photos.imageevent.com/eigenve...e/P8190008.JPG

That's basically what my windows are like, standard 1960 single pane
aluminum frame.

"Pat" wrote in message
ups.com...
Without seeing a picture of the house, I have to ask why you can't pop
in some replacement windows and not do any cutting.

If you are cutting out the frames to put in bigger windows or
something, the siding will be the least of your worries.


Eigenvector wrote:
"Art" wrote in message
nk.net...
Visit www.pella.com or the Andersen window site and download
instructions
on installing their windows. Read warranties. Without proper
flashing,
you might as well keep your old windows. The flashing should go
beyond
the window frame width so I don't see how you can do it right
without
removing the siding unless you use very wide trim. The flashing is
also
supposed to be attached to the paper underneath the siding
(assuming
you
have tyvek or something similar).



Thanks for the link. As for Tyvek - Hahahahahahaaaaaaa, nope I'd be
amazed
if my house had plywood under the siding. It was just too cheaply
made
for
fancy geegaws like a vapor barrier.

"Eigenvector" wrote in message
. ..
I was chatting with a buddy of mine about replacing my windows and I
mentioned that I was planning on removing the siding to get to the
window.
He basically shook his head and mentioned that typically what is
done
is a
circular saw is run around the perimeter of the window and that is
what
is
used to remove the window. Basically he described it as cutting out
the
siding that hides the window frame and attachpoints then installing
the
new window, then using 1x2's or whatever to frame the window and
cover
up
the cut the circular saw made.

Is he basically correct here. For some reason I just can't see
myself
taking a circular saw to the siding as proper window replacement.

On Sat, 19 Aug 2006 20:38:02 -0700, "Eigenvector"
wrote:



No I'm not ready to tackle doing larger windows. I just couldn't figure out
in my head how old windows are removed. What I was told sounded reasonable
but destructive. But looking at the siding, I'd have to remove the entire
siding from the house just to get the window out and its likely I'll bust
planks doing it given the age of the wood.

I don't know how common my windows are. They are sliding windows with
4 grooves, 2 for windows and 2 for storm windows, so since they don't
use thermopane, I guess that means they're cheap.**

When the guy in the next townhouse had his windows replaced, the
workman took the panes out of the frames*** and used a sawsall to make
one or two cuts in the alumininum window frame, but in the frame only
and not in any of the wood. ***Maybe he had removed screws through
the frame into the wood, but if so I missed that part. I guess there
must be screws or the windows would fall out.

Then they slid out the rest of the frame, or it just folded in on
itself. Then he just slid the new frame in, screwed it in, I guess,
and put the panes in. He didn't touch the siding. He finished up by
making a little rectangular tube from plain white aluminum that he
atttached above the window, and a smaller one for below, on top of the
t1-11 siding. It makes his window look bigger than mine, and the extra
white frame might have a nice appearance, but I'm still pleased with
mine, which goes from brown wall to glass window, with only an inch of
aluminmum in between.

I'm also a little disgusted to realize that the decoration around at
least some of the windows I see is hollow. I know there has always
been imitation stuff like this, but it's better for me when I don't
know where.

He also applied thin lines of white caulk outside between the frame
and the wood and between the tubes and the t1-11. He made the edges
of the caulk straight. If you can't caulk well practice somewhere
else. The look of the caulk will be more important I think than the
look of the windows.

(The guy I bought my house from was cold all the time and caulked
everywhere, and never did learn how. You want to push the nozzle of
the tube away from you as you put down the caulk and use the size of
the opening and the nozzle to delimit the width of caulk lines. He
seemed to have been pulling it back, and had no control over
thickness. And if he then used his finger to push down the thick
parts, he made them too wide. Push, don't pull.


ALL of this was done from the inside of the house. It took him iirc 2
or 3 hours to do 3 windows, and the biggest single chunk of time,
maybe a fourth or third of the total, was making those rectangular
tubes.


**I suppose after a while the fuzzy strip between the storm windows
and the windows falls off, so that would be bad, but I'm careful to
glue that stuff back when it starts to get loose. I guess eventually
the fuzzy strip won't be fuzzy anymore, will be bald, so that will
leak air for sure.

But the only really bad part now is that while I'm lying in bed, I can
reach up and open or close the window, but not the storm window. So
if it is closed, I have to sit up, get on my knees and turn around to
open or close the storm window Also I have to stick my fingers
almost between the windows to open the storm windows. These are not
big problems. I also get condensation on the aluminum frames inside,
but it hasn't damaged the window sill after 27 years, hasn't even hurt
the paint. I don't know how much heat loss this represents. But
while neighbors are replacing their windows, I still don't think it is
worth it.


So I asked. Someone responded basically that carving up the siding is only
what a hack would do - so now I'm curious exactly how a professional quality
job would do it? What you're indicating in this post is that the window is
dismantled from the inside. But that raises a question in my mind as to how
you remove the old window frame flashing ( I call it flashing, you know the
metal tang that goes around the perimeter of the window and holds it to the
house).

Eigenvector wrote:
http://photos.imageevent.com/eigenve...e/P8190010.JPG
http://photos.imageevent.com/eigenve...e/P8190009.JPG
http://photos.imageevent.com/eigenve...e/P8190008.JPG