Replace Those Windows and Doors

Story by Mike Fagnano
Photography by Robert Gerardy

Now that winter has loosened its icy grip and the beauty of another springtime is blooming all around us with its cascades of golden sunshine, home improvement fever is spreading throughout Southern Maryland. There is nothing like a cold, snowy winter to reveal the weaknesses in your home. Now is the time to replace those drafty windows and doors.

Whether you’re planning to do it yourself or have a contractor install new windows and doors, there are several things a homeowner should keep in mind.

“The most important thing is accurate measurements, especially with a replacement window because it’s probably going to be a custom-made size so it’s not going to be returnable,” said Dave McDougall, the store manager at the 84 Lumber in Lexington Park.

For the do-it-yourselfer, that means doing the proper preparation. McDougall said the only way to get an accurate measurement is to remove the casing, or woodwork surrounding the door or window on the inside of the house. That allows the homeowner to see the rough opening that was made in the wall to accommodate the original window or door.

“You just have to take the inside casing off,” he said. “You can do that gently and put it right back on.”

If the homeowner is patient and careful, he or she should be able to replace a window even without any prior carpentry experience.

“If a homeowner is going to try to do replacement windows and really hadn’t done much in the past, I would recommend that he or she pick a window that is on the back of the house or one that doesn’t show so much,” McDougall said. Then remove the casing, measure the rough opening and “order one replacement window. Do that one and see how it goes. Don’t spend a fortune and order the whole house and then end up stuck trying to find a contractor to do it.”

With the price of standard replacement-type windows ranging from $150 to $250 on the low end, and from $225 to $325 on the high end, the costs of making mistakes can add up in a hurry. Replacement doors, while less problematic, can cost anywhere from $150 to $250.

Bill Tarleton, of Dean Lumber and Supply in Hollywood, agrees with McDougall, the best way to avoid mistakes is to measure accurately.

“The main thing with windows is taking the correct measurements,” Tarleton said. “In case the frame is out of square, you want to take three different measurements, at the top, in the middle and on the bottom. What you want to do is take the smallest measurement and work with that. You can always move the window accordingly within the frame. You don’t want to get it too tight otherwise you won’t be able to get the window in there. Also, you want to take two measurements on the height on each side to make sure you have that correct, and once again take the smallest measurement and work with that. You don’t want to get it too tight or the window won’t operate properly.”

It also helps to know the correct terminology.

“A lot of people don’t understand the difference between a replacement window versus a new construction window and they come in and order the wrong thing to start with,” McDougall said. “A new construction window would have a nailing flange on it, so that wouldn’t work in a replacement situation. A replacement window is when you leave your existing frame in.   At this point you just need to take out the sash and the side stops and then fit a window into there. So, the first thing for a homeowner to determine would be which type of installation he wants. Is he going to remove the whole old window and put a new window in, or is he going to put in just what they call a true replacement window? Either way measurements are critical because the manufacturer will custom make these windows and then they won’t take them back.”

If all this sounds too daunting, many contractors can replace a whole house full of windows in a matter of days -- once the job is started.  McDougall advises every homeowner to do as much homework on selecting a contractor as he or she would do in preparing to do the job alone. It is always a good idea to get referrals from friends and neighbors. In addition to that, “You can always check with the Better Business Bureau,” he said. “You would want to make sure whoever you choose has a Maryland license.”

While many homeowners opt for replacing windows and doors to brighten a room or make it feel bigger, the primary reason for replacing windows and doors is a practical one.  “Reason number one is usually energy efficiency,” McDougall said, “and number two right behind it, is appearance.”   Keep in mind also that it is the most cost-efficient way to upgrade your home’s appearance.