It’s a little-known fact that the quality of a home’s windows significantly impacts the property’s market value.
Aside from the comfort and aesthetic appeal they provide, windows can increase the value of your home.
This is why selecting and installing a window in your home should be done with utmost care.
Window installation is a whole process that requires careful consideration. It involves the pre-installation process of selection to the installation proper and maintenance.
This process will be of great importance to homeowners looking forward to increasing their home’s curb appeal with a new or replacement window.
Meanwhile, it would help to seek advice from an expert if you want your windows to provide warmth and coziness in your home.
For professional guidance and assistance, it’s ideal to find the best window installation company in your area.
Luckily, this article will guide you through everything you need to know about window installation.
Contents
The Pre-installation Process
Before you can install a window, you must have made arrangements for the window beforehand, such as the design and style of the windows, their location and the kind of materials you want.
This can prevent you from doing a last-minute shopping race that might dig a hole in your pocket.
The first step in the window installation guide is to consult with the best professionals in the field.
Let a good installation company assess your home, where you wish to place your windows, and the kind of windows you want as replacements.
The window remodeling experts in Toledo can help you with the entire window replacement work and will make sure that your project is as stress-free as possible.
These, alongside other things, need careful consideration.
The company or its representatives can then guide you to make all the necessary pre-installation choices to make your window installation successful.
On the other hand, these are some of the things to consider in the pre-installation process:
Purpose of the Window
Why do you want to install new windows? Is it for proper ventilation, aesthetics, or lighting?
The answer you provide to these questions will go a long way to determining the choices you’ll make.
Also, this will help you filter your options regarding the kind of material, design, and style of windows you’ll choose.
Window Types
Once you’ve determined the reason for the installation, you can now choose all the necessary types that would fit in and work for your needs.
Windows come in different types and styles. Here are some of them:
- Horizontal Sliding Windows: This window type is designed to move over each other horizontally and comes with two window frames.
- Double-Hung Windows: As one of the most popular models of windows, the double-hung window slides vertically as opposed to the horizontal hung ones. In addition, this model is perfect for ventilation and security purposes.
- Casement Windows: This type of window is designed to swing outwards. Casement windows are great for homes with little space that need good ventilation.
- Clerestory Windows: This window type is ideal for homes that need better lighting and ventilation. The clerestory windows are always located above eye level in high locations.
- Bi-fold Windows: These are the best windows to install if you have restricted space and want to control the airflow inside. They comprise several individual sashes framed together in one single panel. This way, you can open the entire frame or individual sashes for ventilation.
- Jalousie Windows: This type of window comprises glass slats that are encompassed or held together by metal clips. The jalousie window is great for warmer climates and provides good ventilation.
- Awning Windows: This window type is designed to swing outwards from the bottom. It’s perfect for wet and rainy environments because it allows proper ventilation without worrying about the rain getting in.
- Picture Windows: Also known as fixed windows. This window type is the epitome of aesthetic windows. They don’t contain openings and are designed as glass-mirrored frames to showcase the beautiful view outside or inside the house.
Window Frames
After you have the window type or style down, you need the frames to securely hold them in place for you. There are many frame types, but these are the most common:
- Wood: Wood frames are traditional and very popular because of their sturdiness and versatility.
- Fiberglass: This window frame is thermal-efficient, strong, and durable. However, they’re also expensive and scarce.
- Aluminum: This type of frame is easy to maintain, and can withstand pressure and most weather conditions.
- Polyvinyl Chloride: PVC or vinyl frames have high resistance to UV rays and moisture.
Type of Glass
What’s a window without its glass? Once your window type and frames are ready, you need the glass to fit into it. These are the most common types of window glass:
- Insulated Glass: Comes with two or more panes of glass fitted into one and separated by an insulated air space. Insulated glass is strong, energy efficient, and noise reducing.
- Low Emissivity Glass: Low-e glass has a special coating to reflect heat. This type of window glass is energy efficient and UV resistant.
- Laminated Glass: This type consists of two pieces of glass joined together to have a layer of material in between them. Laminated glass is tough and perfect for security purposes and extreme weather conditions.
The Window Size
Now that you have the window components, what size do you want them in? Professional window installers will always recommend having about 10% of your wall surface windowed.
In the case of replacement windows, be sure to have the exact measurements to replace the existing ones.
Let the contractors measure everything to ensure that you’ll have long-lasting and weather-tight sealed windows.
That being said, window sizing will guide you on where the windows should be smaller or bigger.
For example, large-sized windows should be on the western side of the house to maximize the infiltration of the sun’s rays in the afternoon.
The size also includes the shape. Should your window be square or rectangular?
Rectangular window sizes are good for more light, as there’s enough surface area for reflection. On the other hand, square windows are better for ventilation.
The Installation Process
Now that you have ticked every box in the preparation phase, it’s time to allow the professionals to do the installation process.
Here are the steps for a successful window installation process from the beginning to the end:
1. Protection
Before you begin, you must secure all your furniture and the flooring to avoid damage and injuries of any kind.
Preferably, allow the installation company to drape your furniture and lay tarps to protect the floor.
They might also set pads along the window sills to prevent broken glass from falling on the floor.
2. Removing the Window and Extracting the Frame
This process involves the removal of the glass panes of the window using special suction cups to avoid glass shattering.
Afterward, the other window components that make up the frame, like the caulking, operable window sash, balancing system, and bars are removed.
3. Cleaning and Preparation
To ensure that your windows are fitted into well-prepared openings, ensure that your installation crew cleans and prepares the opening.
The opening should be free of debris including nails, metal bits, and materials of any kind from caulking, insulation, etc.
It would be best if they got rid of little shards of glass with a vacuum to make everything perfect.
Once these are cleared out, the window space is ready for a replacement or a new fixture.
4. Flashing and Weatherproofing the Window Opening
Flashing is a vital part of window installation that involves placing the materials used for weatherproofing the window around the opening.
Ideally, flashing should be done around the window opening from the bottom to the top.
Significantly, the main idea behind flashing is to avoid water sipping through the external openings of the window and weakening the window frames over time.
A properly done flashing process will keep your window frames tightly installed and the spaces sealed off.
5. Installing the Window
Now that your opening is well protected, the window frames and windows can be properly installed.
The windows will be aligned with composite shim and attached to the structure of the house effectively.
6. Insulating the Exterior
After the window is set in place, the gaps between the new window frame and the wall must be plugged in for a fully airtight seal.
This is done with the use of insulating foam.
7. Applying the Sealant
To protect the windows from weakening too fast from the effect of harsh weather conditions, a sealant should be applied for added protection.
8. Clean Up
After a successful installation, the area should be cleaned to ensure that there are no screws or nails on the floor.
Frame materials, sealants, and other items used should also be cleaned. The window must be in impeccable condition for usage.
Conclusion
The keys to good window installations are reliable and competent installation companies and having the right materials.
After going through this ultimate guide, you’ll be able to work around your window installations adequately and get the best comfort and value for your home without worries.
