New windows

I'm replacing the windows in my house, How do I measure for the new one's? And is it ok to go with vinyl interiors if I have all stained wood trim, or should I stick with wood interiors?

 

Let's start with the windows themselves. I see no reason to go with wood veneer interiors UNLESS that is the look you want. Go to the thread titled "Replacing Metal Frames" (started by Bob md), and look at the pictures of Andy's Handywork -- that is about the 15th reply in that thread. Andy used vinyl windows and cased them out with wood. I did exactly the same thing in my house. All of my windows are almond or tan in color, and I used the same oak trim and casing that you see in Andy's pictures. The finished project looks (in my mind) almost as good if you use white windows.

Measuring the windows is easy. You will be pulling the frames of the existing windows, so simply measure the inside opening as it exists in the wall, deduct 1/2" from the width and 1/4" from the height. The new window will sit on the sill, and you will have 1/4" gap on each side and a 1/4" gap at the top. This will allow the vinyl window to expand and contract.

The trickiest part is to figure out how you are going to remove the old windows, and how you will seal the new windows on the outside. Absolutely the last thing you want is a window that leaks. How you remove the old frames and how you need to order the new windows will be determined by the kind of siding you are dealing with outside. Lots of different ways that it can be done. Tell us what you are dealing with on the outside of the house.

 

thanks for the info. I measured the existing window frames last night, should I take off the 1/2" and 1/4" from those dimensions? Also, I have a brick veneer on one side of our house, 2 of the bedroom windows that I will be replacing are in that wall, the rest of the bedroom windows are going to be located in differant sides of the house (where there currently is aluminum siding but I will be replacing that with vinyl very shortly). All of the bedrom windows measured the same from the interior. Do I need to have a differant measurement for the windows in the brick veneer wall? I have heard to measure from Brick mold to brick mold, but what is the brick mold?

 

Just my 2 cents thrown in about the measuring deal-once you know the manufacturer your going with-talk to a rep. or customer service and find out how THEY want the measurment to be made. After measuring for numerous window manufactures some want a tight measurement and then they deduct the 1/2" & 1/4" while others want YOU to deduct and give them the size that YOU want, that way you'll both have documentation of the window sizes and if you happen to mis-measure 1 or more it's your fault and they are'nt responsible since they made it to your specifications. Definatley worth checking into before you put your money down to order.

 

IHI is correct. It is imperative that you let the window supplier know that you have already deducted the space allowance. otherwise, like he pointed out, there is a good chance that the supplier will deduct it again, and you will get windows that are too small.

Jerstew, if there is any doubt about measurements you have taken being correct, let your window supplier take the final measuerments before the windows actually get ordered. The measurements you have will be good enough to get price quotes from. You can take those measurements to several glass shops and see who sells what brands, with what features, and with what warranties. Once you settle on a particular brand from a given shop, let somebody from that shop come take the exact measurements that the order will be placed with. That way, if a window arrives that is the wrong size (and it happens!), it will be the shop paying for the mistake, not you.