Replacing Windows in a Brick House

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by Superman

I have a question. It seems I may have two choices:

1) Install the windows into the wood wrapping atop the studs. Maybe this could allow for standard sized windows... or
2) Tear all that stuff out and attach the windows to the studs. This would require custom windows.

If I have this right, then which is best. I assume....attach the windows to the studs.

I think I have other decisions to make too. Premium wood windows. Wal-Mart windows. Something in between.

I'm going to connect with the folks Dan suggests, and also visit some websites. With all the available time on my hands. Is anybody else's life jam-packed like mine?

Keep the current window frame. I think Zeke covered this, the current frame will be flashed for the brick. If you remove the window you might mess up the flashing.

Went back and read his post.

Originally Posted by Zeke

Retrofitting is encouraged over ripping out the entire existing jamb and that's because the jamb is flashed behind the brick to keep moisture out. Don't break that seal unless it's broken.

[VincentVega]

Thats good advice. Careful removal is key. Make sure you check for punky spots in the corners and bottom, no point putting a new window in a rotten frame. I've seen too many 'pros' just slam in the new units and not care one bit about long term.

[David]

I wouldn't get hung up on trying to fit a standard size. Near as I could tell, unless you're building a new house, the windows will all be custom sized so it's not big deal.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by David

I wouldn't get hung up on trying to fit a standard size. Near as I could tell, unless you're building a new house, the windows will all be custom sized so it's not big deal.

Really the only advantage of standard sized windows is that if you can find stock sizes, they are less money.

[John Rogers]

A couple things to consider, I haven't seen anyone mention the city/county rules for window replacement. If your area is like mine they even have rules on how to scratch your ass so I would check. In our case the city of Chula Vista says as long as the building's window opening is not changed then you do not need any permits. That is why we used custom made windows that slid over the 1/2 inch protruding aluminum old window frames. We lost a tad amount of opening size but not enough to notice. Plus we gained windows we can pull out and clean both sides of the glass.

Secondly, if you do this, a sealer made for installing windows and the stuff we used was not in a Home Depot or Lowes and has a 30 year life span so I guess the high cost of it is well spent. Use a LOT and remove excess later, way better than trying to add more.

[jimwill911]

Zeke

By retrofitting, do you mean replace just the IGU (Insulated Glass Unit)? Thanks

Originally Posted by Zeke

A lot of members here remember that I sold and installed windows as a business up until the Great Recession killed it. I have installed some windows this year, but not like I used to, like a several hundred per year as a lone wolf installer.

Measuring is not tough. The real trick is to criss cross the opening you intend to leave in place to determine if it's a true 90º rectangle. After that, deduct what the factory recommends.

Some window companies have a line of stock sizes intended for new installations. Most vinyl windows are built to order at no additional cost because, 1) there are so many options that having all of those in JUST ONE SIZE on the shelf would take up a LOT of space, and 2) the factory is gonna build a certain number of windows every shift no matter where they are going. 3 to you, 10 to the next guy and so on.

Retrofitting is encouraged over ripping out the entire existing jamb and that's because the jamb is flashed behind the brick to keep moisture out. Don't break that seal unless it's broken.

If you go to my local distributor's site (1stwindows.com), you can glean a hell of a lot of info for free and not even have to sign up. How to measure, install, the whole ball of wax. He is set up to mostly sell to DIYer's and smaller contractors.

Funny, but hot links seem to be disabled.

[speeder]

Why exactly are you replacing all windows? Are the old ones rotting or broken, or just stuck? Do the old one not insulate well enough?

I used to make my living restoring windows on very old houses, both hung windows and ones that swung open or slide open. They can almost always be restored to function like new if they were of quality in the first place. A 1953 house would not be an old house in my world, however. I worked on pre-war stuff, back to the late 19th century.

Can you post some photos of the offending windows you plan on replacing? Sometimes replacement is a smart move, especially in extremely cold or hot locations where R-factor can be improved dramatically. Still, I've seen a lot of beautiful original windows ripped-out to install cheap, schitty vinyl or plastic windows from some warehouse in China. To me, it's like replacing the interior of an old 911 w something from Autozone because the seats needed to be rebuilt.

There are of course very high-quality replacement windows as well. Further info needed.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by cabmando

Keep the current window frame. I think Zeke covered this, the current frame will be flashed for the brick. If you remove the window you might mess up the flashing.

Yep. This is what my window guy calls "inserts." They are complete double hung windows with thinner frames that fit inside the current window frame. Cost of installation was half that of removing the entire window and installing new ones. No reflashing the brick an no replacing the window trim.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by John Rogers

A couple things to consider, I haven't seen anyone mention the city/county rules for window replacement. If your area is like mine they even have rules on how to scratch your ass so I would check. In our case the city of Chula Vista says as long as the building's window opening is not changed then you do not need any permits. That is why we used custom made windows that slid over the 1/2 inch protruding aluminum old window frames. We lost a tad amount of opening size but not enough to notice. Plus we gained windows we can pull out and clean both sides of the glass.

Secondly, if you do this, a sealer made for installing windows and the stuff we used was not in a Home Depot or Lowes and has a 30 year life span so I guess the high cost of it is well spent. Use a LOT and remove excess later, way better than trying to add more.

Wow, you guys are easy down there. The inspectors have hung my ass out to dry once when I replaced with retrofitted window in a rental. He saw the new window mfg sticker drove up and left his card. In bedrooms, ingress/egress code opening applies. so be prepare to open up if they are small windows.

[look 171]

Superman, get us some photos. This way we can see and offer suggestion.

Look into clad windows. They are great.

[wdfifteen]

Here pics of my windows with inserts. Pics are grainy because they are in the TV room where it's really dark. The finish on the inserts are darker cherry than the original trim, but actually don't match any worse than the original windows from 1972, which were stained pine. The final trim piece hasn't been installed yet, so you can see the space where the insert window fits the original frame. They needed to "float" in the frame because it wasn't square any more.

[serene911]

Sent you a PM

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Really the only advantage of standard sized windows is that if you can find stock sizes, they are less money.

Not always true.

Originally Posted by jimwill911

Zeke

By retrofitting, do you mean replace just the IGU (Insulated Glass Unit)? Thanks

No, an insert as discussed.