DIY Network

Bedroom Limbo / Window Removal and Installation From "DIY to the Rescue" episode DTTR-402F

Homeowners Brad and Paula Ostolski demolished a closet running the length of their bedroom. Their hope was to make the room bigger, but the two found they didn't know how to complete the job. The carpet was damaged by a leak in the bedroom, and the window wasn't up to code. The DIY to the Rescue crew will help the couple remedy these problems by helping them replace the window, repair and paint drywall and all molding, add new lighting and install wall-to-wall carpet. When complete, the couple will have room for romance!

Before: Bedroom in limbo

After: A romantic retreat, with new carpet, lighting and soft shades of blue

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After: The new window (right) is now up-to-code.

Window Removal and Installation

The Ostolskis live in a cement block house, so a little extra care will be needed to safely remove the old single-hung window and install a new one.

Materials:

Cold chisel
Pry bar
Hammer
Utility knife
Drill
Safety glasses
Masonry saw
Diamond-tip blade
Hammer
Utility knife
Level
Drill
Nail gun
Reciprocating saw
Circular saw
Sledge hammer
Window
Shims
Exterior caulk
Quick-setting cement

	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E

Note: The instructions here are unique to the Olstolski's window design. The removal and installation technique may vary according to the window.

1. First, use utility knife to cut the caulking around the outside of the window. Inside, remove the screws that secure window to the timber, then score the interior caulk.

2. In this example, the window has a marble stool that must be removed by pounding with a hammer from the underside to loosen.

3. Pull stops off, then push bottom sash up to the top of the window and gently pull bottom sash toward you. Use the cold chisel and hammer to chip away at the block exterior around the window until the window is loose enough to pull out.

4. To install the new window, first measure and mark exterior wall for the cut. Make sure the entire perimeter is 1/4" larger than the window to allow room for shims.

5. Using scrap timber, screw cutting guides into exterior block. Use the masonry saw and diamond-tip blade to cut along the cutting guides.

6. Next, measure the interior opening for the window. Again, the opening should be 1/2" longer than the height of the window to allow room for shims.

7. Remove about six inches of drywall around the perimeter of the window (figure A) to avoid drywall damage, and scrape away any insulation.

8. Use reciprocating saw to cut furring strips flush with concrete block.

9. Inside, use a circular saw to cut the concrete block. Hold a wet sponge against the blade to reduce dust (figure B).

10. Use a sledgehammer to "punch out" the cut block (figure C).

11. Fill the concrete voids with a high strength quick-setting cement and allow to dry (figure D).

12. Measure the recess of other windows and doors around the house and mark the new window opening to match.

13. Set the window in the opening and gently push to line up with the marks. Insert a shim at each corner of the frame to keep it from shifting.

14. Check window for plumb. Place a level vertically on both the interior and face of the left and right jambs (figure E). If the bubble indicator is centered, the unit is plumb. If the bubble is not centered, insert shims.

15. Next, check the window for level. Simply place a level along the sill. If the bubble indicator is centered, the unit is level.

16. To check square, measure window frame diagonally. Measure from the top left corner of the frame to the bottom right corner and from the top right to bottom left. If the measurements are equal, the window is square.

17. Once the window is plumb, level and square, install installation screws into the prefabricated installation holes in the jambs. Shims should be used to establish spacing at anchoring points and should be penetrated by the installation screw.

18. Seal the entire perimeter to the window with the proper grade of sealant.