Updating hints

January 8, 2007

One of the more popular retrofits that occurred in 2006 was the window retrofit. Replacing old aluminum sliding windows or old single glass windows to dual glaze, vinyl windows seemed to be happening in every neighborhood. Statistics even suppported the benefit financially that a window upgrade made in the sale of the home.

Here is a suggestion as to the preferred method for installing a vinyl window. Flash the previous opening and then install the window with the fins over the flashing. This is done to help create a seal around the window so that moisture - wind driven rain, for example- that might penetrate through the joint between the window and the siding will not get all the way into the house. The alternative to a finned window is the retrofit window. Properly fit and installed and properly caulked and sealed in place, they should form a weather-tight seal that will be safe and effective.
The most important action a homeowner considering window replacement should take is to check out homeowners who have had the job done and get their opinion of the contractor. References for any work will save you later conplications.