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Windows From "10 Things You Must Know" episode DTEN-110

Here are the 10 Things You Must Know about replacing windows.

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10. Knowing the rough will make the job easy. Your existing windows will leave more than a hole in the side of your house. You will have to make sure that the existing trim work is secure and big enough to fit your replacement windows. The windows that you order for your rough opening come in standard sizes and should leave a little extra room for an exact fit with shimming as well as insulating.

9. Double panes provide a window of money saving opportunities. You've just spent your well earned money on a new look for your house, but that isn't all you bought. Since you want to keep more of that money in your pocket to finish off the other jobs around the house, you went with the energy saving double pane windows. Not having to spend that extra money to keep it warm in the winter and cool in the summer starts with all those holes you have in your house.

8. Be safe with a window that has a temper. There are certain codes to follow when you have an adjacent window to a door, or in a shower. This is for the homeowner's protection to use tempered glass in these areas. The tempered glass will shatter in a million little pieces instead of big sharp pieces that a person can be harmed with.

7. Find a friend and forget disaster. You just went through all that trouble to get the most energy efficient windows on the market and now you are ready to install them. To avoid any major disasters with these new windows, have a friend help you to do the installation.

6. Put a little trim in your budget. The trim around your windows has a very good chance of getting damaged as well as not matching your newly purchased windows. Spend the extra money in getting new trim. The extra $25 in materials will go a long way.

5. Nobody likes a rotten jamb. Before any installation happens, make sure you check the window for any rotten materials. Putting a brand new window in a rotten window jamb is only going to ensure that you will be fixing it in the future.

4. Don't level yourself crooked. The level is a great tool to use to make sure your job is straight. However, you are working with windows, so your tape measure is what you want to use. Start by measuring from the top left corner to the bottom right corner and then again from the top right to the bottom left and if the measurements are the same, then your window is perfectly square.

3. Double panes don't work with drafts. No matter how energy efficient your windows are, none of that will matter if the window isn't properly insulated. Make sure you fill every crevice with either fiberglass insulation or expanding foam insulation.

2. Put a cap on the leak potential. One of the most common ways that you'll have a leak in your window is through the top. If it isn't properly flashed with a drip cap, you might ruin your new windows. Take the time to go to the top of your window and install the drip cap, and then fit the siding over it to ensure it is done properly.

1. Put your level on the spot. Every window will need to be shimmed if you want the window to have a perfect fit. Check your work with a two foot level to make sure there is no bulges in the middle of your window, otherwise it won't open or close.

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• Place strips of moisture seal around the perimeter of the window opening, sliding it behind the siding. Use a utility knife to make diagonal slits at the corners; fold the moisture seal back over the rough framing, and then staple it. The strips should stop just before the inside edge of the opening.

• When insulating the rough opening, be sure to slide the top and bottom sashes up and down to check for gaps and smooth operation. If the sashes do not operate smoothly, use the built-in adjustment screws in the side jambs to adjust the window frame. Refer to the manufacturer's notes for specific adjustment instructions.

• Using the wrong caulk can result in moisture penetration or corrosive damage from a chemical reaction. In general, polyurethane and silicone adhere well to most materials while remaining flexible. Flexibility is especially important at the top of the retrofit unit, to prevent damage when the header flexes or sags. Adverse chemical reactions with the window, mounting surface, and finished wall, can also compromise the seal and damage materials. Always check the manufacturer's warnings and instructions before repairs.