Windows
Type of Windows
Single Hung Window |
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Double Hung Window |
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Slider Window |
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Casement Window |
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Awning Window |
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Hopper Window |
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Picture Window |
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Special Shapes Window |
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Garden Window |
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Bay Window |
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Bow Window |
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Egress Window |
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Egress windows allow for a person to evacuate an area in the case of an emergency. There are certain requirements that have to be met before a window can be considered egress compliant. |
Window Materials
Wood |
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Vinyl |
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Fiber Glass & Composite |
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Aluminum |
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Once you have selected the type of windows that will best meet your needs. There are a number of options and features that can be added to a window specifically or throughout your whole project. Options and features are specific to individual manufactures. The list you will see listed directly below will illustrate what is available.
Glass Options
Low-e Argon
Standard on every window that we sell unless requested other wise. This is the energy efficiency stuff!
Tinted Glass
Lowers the amount of visible light that can pass through the glass. It can also accent the exterior if using a color such as bronze.
Obscure Glass
There are many options in this category to achieve obscureness. Typically its done in bathrooms of homes to allow for natural light with some privacy. It can also be done as just half a window, if the window has sashes.
Beveled or Etched
The windows are typically done of front entry door or the center window of bay as a way to accent a certain window.
Grids or Muttins
There are multiple selections that can be made to design your grids.
- The configurations of your grids such as a traditional pattern or prairie configuration.
- The profile and thickness of the grids them self.
- The color options of the grids such as a two tone option of having the interior with a stain and the exterior as solid color.
- The placement or location of the grids such as external removable grids or GBG (Grids between the glass).
Window Features
Blinds
Some manufactures offer BBG. (Blinds Between the Glass). This can be a nice feature, but it should be understood that there’s not a way to add argon with the BBG option, which is a major factor of the efficiency rating of the window.
Locks
Most manufactures will only place one lock on a window that as standard, but there is the option to add additional locks for added security.
Screens
Screens have more several different options. A lot of double hung, single hung, and sliders are coming standard with only half screens, it is now an upgrade to have a full screen over the whole window. Screen it self has options and the way that the frame is constructed also could be an option that may be considered.
Window Installations
The two sub categories of window installations that have different decisions that need to be made to receive an accurate quote:
Exterior Trim Options |
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Full Frame Replacement:
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Pocket Insert:
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Exterior Material Options |
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Full Frame Replacement:
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Pocket Insert:
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Exterior Finish Options for Trim |
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Full Frame Replacement:
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Pocket Insert:
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Interior Trim Options |
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Full Frame Replacement:
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Pocket Insert:
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Interior Material Options |
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Full Frame Replacement:
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Pocket Insert:
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Interior Finish Options for Trim |
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Full Frame Replacement:
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Pocket Insert:
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Other Considerations
Alarm Systems: We don’t attach or reattach any alarm systems. They should be disconnected prior to our arrival on scheduled install dates.
Blinds, Curtains, and Window Treatments: There is no guarantee that the new windows will accommodate the previous blinds or window treatments. It is expected that all of these will be taken down before scheduled start date. We are willing to take down and reinstall upon completion of the windows for a fee, but make no guarantee that they will fit as they did before.
Wood Rot: Chances are that if your original windows were installed more than ten years ago, that the redundancies we install with today were not done correctly or at all back then. Its not uncommon to find some wood rot on window project. Acumen protocol is to take pictures as soon as its discovered and notify the home owner and discuss the best course of action. This is not included in the original estimate and will be billed as time and material.
Full Frame Window Replacement vs Insert Window Replacement
Acumen Renovations is headed quartered in Kansas City, Kansas, where some of the largest variance in temperature swings occur in the world. Temperatures can range from -40 degrees Fahrenheit to 121 degrees Fahrenheit. There are numerous freeze/thaw cycles in any given year.
How your window is installed can have a dramatic impact, on the overall efficiency of the window. Some of the best advances in adhesives and caulkings have only happened in recent days. There are multiple methods to ‘properly’ install a window. Mesler follows the procedures outlined by OSI.
OSI’s credentials and warranty are applied when their best practices are followed. The warranty and installation best practices only apply to new construction or full frame replacements.
Both installation practices have their place, but certain criteria need to be taken into consideration when choosing the installation practice that best fits your needs. To make an informed decision, the following is an eplanation of how both window replacements are installed, and the pros and cons of each installation type.
Full Frame Replacement
A full frame replacement requires installing the window to a rough opening, with a nail fin. A rough opening is the exposed area between studs where the new window(s) is to be installed.
Diapering
After the rough opening is covered with house wrap, the installation specialist cuts the wrap diagnally from corner to corner in an ‘X’ shape. The wrap is then fastened to the studs, and the excess wrap is cut off as close to the drywall as possible.
Sill Shim
The next step is to install a sill shim.
A sill shim acts as one of the many lines of defenses against rain or other water sources. It creates a water dam, or diverter, to prevent water from coming into the house.
Sill Pans
A Sill Pan is the barrier between your window and the studs. It acts as rot protection for the wood underneath.
The sill pan goes over the sill shim. This is developed using one of two methods: cusom fabricating a shim of metal, or creating one out of window tape. To comply with OSI standards, Mesler uses the window tape method. One of the most commonly used methods today is as follows:
A simple sill shim can be crafted using a piece of vinyl utility strip, cutting the window tape bow ties for the lower exterior corners, and applying the window tape over the sill shim.
Back Caulking
Back caulking is one of the single most important steps. It is often done incorrectly, or overlooked altogether.
Quad Max, an OSI product, has an elasticity rating of 50%, and very high adhesion –creating a superior gasket.
To create the window gasket a ¼” bead of caulking should be applied completely around the sides and top of the outside wall and nail flange. The caulking is beaded across the bottom, but there should be two openings on each side (approximately 1”) to allow for drainage in the event water makes it to the sill.
Fasteners
At this point the window in ready to be set to the wall. Once the window has been leveled it is installed with the appropriate fasteners. Fasteners used depend on the type of window, manufacture specifications, and nailing patterns. Typically a galvanized nail or scews applied every 3”- 6.”
Applying Window Tape
After the window is set, window tape is applied to the sides and top of the window, giving it an additional layer of protection. It’s important to note that the bottom portion of the window has already been taped. Taping it again would prevent water from escaping should it find its way in. The side are taped first, then the top strip of tape is applied. This creates a seam that allows water to flow over the top rather than catching behind.
Installing Trim
A common scenario using James Hardie or LP Diamond Kote is referred to as a ‘picture frame trim out. ‘ Typically, most window manufactures would like for you to leave a 3/16” to ¼” gap between the trim and window for expansion and contraction purposes. More importantly you need to have a void large enough to accept the appropriate amount of caulking to avoid thinning out the UV and mold inhibitors. It’s important to ensure that there is enough caulking in contact with all sides to avoid caulking failure due to freeze/thaw cycles that cause expansion and contraction. This is another area where untrained or under-qualified installers make errors that void the warranty of the window and the OSI process.
The final exterior step is properly applying the z-bar flashing over the trim. Z-bar flashing is a piece of metal that attaches to the wall and serves as a water diverter and rot protection. Caulking should never take the place of flashing. A slit is cut in the house wrap and window tape approximately 2” up, in which the back side of the flashing fastens to the wall behind the house wrap. The open seems are then retaped with house wrap tape.
Insert (Pocket) Window Replacement
There are a few options such as jamb liners and sash replacements. This article will outline the processes used to install standard vinyl inserts specifically.
The first step in replacing a wood window with an insert is removing the exterior stops. Standard protocol for removing the exterior stops is to cut the stop with a flush cut saw and/or a fine saw. The stops are cut flush to the exterior brick molding so new stops can be installed. Removing stops also allows the inner sashes and pieces to come out with little effort. There may be some type of jamb liner or middle stop that has to come out.
It’s important to have two people to set the window in the jamb opening –one on the inside to check the reveal of the window to the existing trim, and one on the outside to ensure proper gaping and to insert shims. The window should be setting tentatively in the jamb opening, level and plumb. The window will then be set at four points with screws. At each of these points the window should be shimmed to prevent over tightening. After the screws are set low expanding insulating foam is applied.
As the foam is setting up the sill expander should be installed on the bottom of the
window. The sill expander extends the bottom of the new window, to the old window sill. At this point the only thing left to do is apply new stops. Mesler makes new stops out of restoration millwork, a brand of PVC cellulose trim. Technically the window is completely installed, but there are multiple options for finishing the exterior of the window.
Full Frame |
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Insert |
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