I would like to open an additional window about five feet from another window - matching size.

The wall is made of 8" thick concrete block.

First I need to cut an opening on the wall, but I am not sure what size I need to make it.

If I measure the opening of the other window (the wall opening size) I assume this is what I need to do to match it.

What is the proper way to create such a hole? Do I chisel out a "rough" opening that is not exactly square and plumb, then build it back up with new concrete?

Or do I find a way to cut the rectangular hole precisely with specialty mansory saw?

Thanks in advance,

MC

 

It might be better to hire someone to make the opening. You will need a large diamond blade saw to cut the block, and the opening will need a header above the opening. Sizing the header depends on what is above to support. In general, the opening should be about <2" larger than outside dimensions of the window frame. If it has a nailing flange, the opeing does not include that. Often, in masonary walls, the openeing is lined with wood to give something to nail/screw into, so the finished rough opening should still be about 2" larger than the window.

 

So I need to hire someone to cut the hole, then frame the window, install the lintel and header etc...and finally install the window itself.

What kind of trade is this? I looked and there is no such thing as a "window contractor", I looked under yellow pages and everything "window" is just selling window or window parts they don't install windows.

Do I need to hire a mason to cut the hole, then a carpenter to frame the window, then a window installer to finally install the window?

Thanks,

MC

 

One more question, if I need to cut the opening two inches larger then the window size, I could see that because the wood frame will take up 2" and the window nails onto that.

However, on the existing window that is there, I do not see any wood framing, the concrete wall starts where the window edge is. Does that mean after the window is installed, I will then need to cover the 2" width occupied by the wood frame with concrete on the outside and on the inside I can drywall over it?

Thanks!

 

A general contractor with experience with masonary is what is needed.
Please don't take this as a slap, but from the questions you ask, you have no concept of how this should be done. The finished opening, ready for the window, with or without wood should be about 1-2" larger the window frame dimensions(not including trim if included). Lining the masonary opening with wood gives you something to which to anchor the window. There are books on construction practices that can be very helpful at big box stores. These should help you understand what we are talking about.

 

Thanks, I am learning about this not because I will do it by myself, I am not familiar with this process but I need to know the proper procedure and steps because I need this in order to hire the contractor.

In Miami there are many so called "contractors" around, some are amateurs that do not know more than I do and pretend to and will do the job lousy and then I have to hire someone to do it right a second time. I have done this too many times now and I have to ask a lot of questions to make sure they know what they are doing. So that is what I am doing, to learn the process, and then when I interview them I play dumb and if they say the right things then I may hire them if they BS me I will know.

Previously I had hired a demolition contractor which did work like pull out my kitchen cabinets, remove bath tubs etc...and also cut two new window openings. I gave him the exact size and dimensions (because it has to match another adjacent window), and instead of cutting it square and nice, like this:

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w...g/P1010366.jpg

I asked him how come it's not cut with a masonry saw he said he does not have one but my window framing person will know what to do with that...

So now I am trying to learn what I can do see what I need to know about hiring the "window" contractor.

Thanks again.