Confused about window replacement installation methods

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camner
Posts: 2
Joined: Fri May 10, 2013 1:23 pm

Confused about window replacement installation methods

#1 Post by camner »

I have 30 year old double pane aluminum frame windows, and many of the windows have had their seals fail, and I've decided to replace them with vinyl windows. I've received 5 quotes from reputable area contractors. My issue/question is that each of them has proposed a different installation technique and claim that the other recommended methods won't work well in my situation. Their techniques are contradictory (of course), so I'm looking for advice.

Here's a picture of a typical window:
Image

As you can see, I have a "faux tudor" style house...the siding is a kind of fibrous white board that looks like, but isn't, stucco.

After pulling off one of the brown trim pieces, I can see that the white siding was installed AFTER the original windows and covers the nailing flange.

Here are two of the install methods suggested:
Method A
  1. Pull off brown trim pieces
  2. cut back the white siding just far enough to expose the nailing flange (but do not cut past the 2x4 to which the existing window is nailed)
  3. remove the old window
  4. apply caulk bead to nailing flange of new window
  5. nail new window
  6. install "window tape" to seal between new window and siding
  7. install drip flashing above window
  8. replace brown trim boards
Method B
  1. Pull off brown trim pieces
  2. remove the old window by cutting through the old flanges and "collapsing the window"
  3. Do NOT cut the white siding back
  4. glue and nail the new window to the OUTSIDE of the white siding
  5. install drip flashing above window
  6. replace brown trim boards
My concern about method A is that it involves cutting into the existing building envelope and risks the creation of water/air infiltration paths

My concern about method B is that as I'm using thinner replacement windows (Milgard Styleline), the bulk of the new window will be resting on the fibrous siding board rather than on the 2x4 window framing.

Any thoughts here about the install methods?

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Windows on Washington
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Re: Confused about window replacement installation methods

#2 Post by Windows on Washington »

Method A is more comprehensive and is preferable in my opinion.

As long as the water management details are spot on and they foam, caulk, and seal up the exterior (drip caps are also recommended), you will be fine.

TheWindowNerd
Posts: 1893
Joined: Sun Feb 22, 2009 5:52 pm
Location: SE PA & NJ; CT
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Re: Confused about window replacement installation methods

#3 Post by TheWindowNerd »

In theory both methods will work fine. are the using flanges in B?
Then there is execution, if either is done poorly you will have bad results.
This is why I refer to windows as the 200% project.
100% product selection.
100% installation.
Both of critical concern.
You threw me off in the beginning with 5 contractors all with different methods. Yep the two methods mentioned would be the typical base methods.

theWindowNerd

fridge2020
Posts: 135
Joined: Tue Oct 09, 2012 8:20 pm

Re: Confused about window replacement installation methods

#4 Post by fridge2020 »

I like method A better. More thorough, less chance of things going wrong.

camner
Posts: 2
Joined: Fri May 10, 2013 1:23 pm

Re: Confused about window replacement installation methods

#5 Post by camner »

Thanks all for your replies.

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