| |
| |
|
Home Improvement Information |
|
|
|
Avoiding Leaks When Installing Vinyl Retrofit Windows
These days a lot of homeowners are replacing their old windows with vinyl windows using the retrofit style of window frame. This is particularly true in the west, and specifically, in California. The number one arguement that I have heard against using the retrofit method, is that it is susceptible to water leaks. Well, that's true if you don't do it properly. But, if you do a complete tearout of your old window down to the studs, you're going to have water leak issues there as well if you don't install the new window properly. So I think that arguement is, well, all wet. So, let me tell you the best way to install your retrofit windows that will ensure that water cannot get in. There is an old song that goes, "It never rains in California, but girl don't they warn ya, it pours, man it pours". For those of you in California, you know how true this is. While California doesn't get a lot of annual rainfall, when it does rain, it can come down in buckets due to the close proximity to the ocean. So, you want to be sure that your windows are well sealed. If you are installing retrofit frames against a stucco house, you want to put a thick bead of sealant right on the outside face of the old window frame, all the way around. Latex caulk should work fine, but if you want to spend a little more to get the best sealant available, use 100% silicone. Depending on the number of windows you will be doing, this extra cost can add up. You pay approximately $1 for a tube of acrylic latex caulk, and $4 or more for a tube of 100% silicone. You are going to use 1-3 tubes per window, depending on the size. So you can see how it could add up. Here is a trick that I used to do to save a little money; The most vulnerable part of your installation is the top of the window, because gravity will have the water running down from the roof to the ground. It's not likely that water is going to find it's way through the sides or bottom. So, I used to carry two caulking guns, and load one with the silicone, and the other with the acrylic caulk. I would run the silicone accross the top of the old frame, and caulk the sides and bottom. Then, put your new window into the opening and have a helper hold it firmly in place while you plumb and level it, then screw it into place. After you have the window completely installed, your final step should be to caulk where the retrofit lip meets the stucco. Here again, I used to use white silicone on the top, and caulk on the sides and bottom. You now have a double barrier against water infiltration. After about a week, check the sealant around each window for signs of cracking. Because stucco is usually uneven, there could have been gaps that were larger in some areas than in others. If you don't force the caulk into the gap to completely fill it, the caulk can sag before drying, causing a crack to form. Simply recaulk over any cracks that you see. You can check the silicone on top as well, but because silicone dries like a rubber substance, you shouldn't see any cracks there. OK, what if the replacement windows are going between wood trim surrounding the opening? If you are using the retrofit lip, and trimming it to fit between the wood, then you still apply the heavy bead to the old frame before installing the window. But, instead of sealing where the retrofit lip meets the stucco, you seal where it meets the wood. Then, you want to be sure to seal above the window, where the top piece of wood meets the stucco. Again, use silicone up there. Now, no water can run down the stucco wall and get under the top piece of wood. Sometimes, though, you might decide not to use a retrofit style frame between the wood, choosing a block replacement frame instead. If you choose to do it this way, you have to add trim to the outside. You still want to apply the sealant to the old frame, then apply your trim so it contacts the new window as well as the sealant on the old frame. If you follow these procedures, you won't have to worry about any water penetrating into your home, I don't care how hard it pours! John Rocco has been installing replacement windows since 1978. To learn more, visit How To Install Windows
MORE RESOURCES:
Home-Improvement - Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Log Home Mistakes Ebook Review Ok, you are ready to build a log home. If you are not going to build it yourself, it mean you will hire a builder. Using Colors in Your Room Colors play an important part in your Home Decor process. Colors are what give life and personality to your room. Installing a Brick or Paver Walkway The use of Bricks or Pavers to create a walkway or patio complements a home in a way that is unmatched. It adds a level of quality and elegance to a home entrance that can not be achieved with either concrete or asphalt. What Are Circuit Breakers? Circuit Breakers are devices that stop the electrical current of a circuit in the event of excess or very high voltage. Circuit breakers are handy, not only because they can protect against electrical fires but also because they can be reset. Asphalt Paving Driveway Maintenance Tips Asphalt paving or Hot Mix Asphalt is typically what one thinks of when installing driveways of new homes. It is by far one of the least expensive methods for paving a surface in new home construction sites. Planning Permission and Building Regulations for Conservatories in the UK Do I need planning permission for a conservatory?Do I need Building Regulation approval for a conservatoryTo help you understand these issues I detail below some of the "conditions" attached to planning permission and building regulations. (These apply to England/Wales only) Scottish, Irish and North American regulations are quite different - You should in all instances take local advice. Planning Permission Tips Uk - How To Select A Property to Extend or Develop Many people purchasing a property for their main home actually look for a property with a view to extending it. This is a very common theme that I have come across time and time again. What Two Words Will Double the Space in Your Home? Just two words and a bit of explanation about them will help you to double, maybe even triple, the space in your home now. Those two words are "Go vertical. Quick and Dirty Guide to Wood Flooring If you've always longed for hardwood floors, you're in good company. While soft wooden floors date back to the Colonial era, hardwood floors first burst on the scene in the late 17th century. Persian Carpets - Popular Styles There are numerous styles of Persian carpets. In fact there are over 300 different variations. Improving Your Bottom Line Through Vastu The design of your office and home has a great influence on your financial success. If your work or living environments are in harmony with nature they have a positive affect on your prosperity. Interior Design For Couples Interior design for couples is one of the hottest, most popular types of design these days. In the past, men have not taken the initiative to actually be involved in the interior design of their homes, often resulting in very female orientated, elegant designs that are beautiful although not exactly appealing to the Saturday afternoon football crew. The Bathroom - The Forgotten Area Of Your Home? The bathroom in your home is the one room that has undergone a complete transformation in the past several years. A transformation that is as far as how it is defined. Useful Home Products Will Help Your House Sale Profits Even if you've never been involved in the sale of house before and yours is about to go on the market, you probably know enough about the process to be able to repeat, like a litany: clean it; paint it; fix it. But do you find yourself asking: How clean does the house have to be and how do I tackle the job? Do I really have to paint? What are the best colors to choose? What do I need to repair? When considering these questions, it's good to remember that most prospective home buyers are an unimaginative lot. Let's "Clear the Air" Shall We? What can you do to "clear the air" indoors, at work and at home? You want to know you are breathing clean air in the places you spend the most time, promoting a clear head and a sense of well being. It's no longer okay to allow clean air into your life just at the cabin or lake. The Different Roofing Materials Used for Flatroofs, Their Advantages and Disadvantages The roof has had many different innovations in regards to the materials used to make them. Different designs through the years have made it a necessity to find newer, lightweight and more durable roofing materials. Planning Permission Tips UK: The Value of Design Statements When Submitting a Planning Application Physiological Response to Window Coverings Nothing soothes the brain like Mother Nature, whose intrinsic scenery relaxes and refreshes us, consciously and subconsciously. Therefore, a view of nature should never be completely covered up during the day. The Motors Best Friend The starting current of motor can become 3 to 6 times the normal running current! That's normal for motors. The motor can experience this high current for a period ranging from 20 to 50 seconds. Home Is Where The Heart Is Every one lives in a house but every house is not a home. A house is a shelter made of bricks, wood or any other material.
|
| home | site map |
| © 2006 |
