How do you replace windows in a brick house?

Question

I am going to replace windows in my house with replacements, my house is pretty old. I need to know how to measure, and remove old window. brick house

Answer 1

Measure rough opening. Height and width. Right to the rough brick outside. You'll be taking the old window entirely out so there will be nothing but the absolute rough opening left. Measure 3 times to be sure.



Order windows and wait.

Answer 2

When the window was measured; was it measured to (A) fit 'inside' the original frame or are you (B) stripping the old one out right to the brick? I am guessing you are tackling (B), the best way to attack it is using a reciprocating saw from the inside. Pull off the trim on the inside until you can see all the way to the edge of the frame. Pull the brick molding off the outside revealing the frame-edge beneath. Run the saw around the frame between the frame and the brick (but the brick is on the outside and you are on the inside). Once this is done; you have cut the nails/screws holding the whole mess in place. You should be able to slide the assembly out from the inside to the outside. Once you get this out you will need to scrape as much of the old caulking off the brick as possible. Just when you think it's enough; scrape a little more. Once it's clean, slide the new one in place, shim it for square and plumb and screw into the wood frame between the brick and the drywall (if solid brick and no frame: use a hammer drill and drill first, secure with tapcons). Fill the void with expanding foam insulation... let it expand and dry (won't take long)... cut off the excess and replace the inside trim and outside brick molding (both probably new would be my recommendation). Caulk the outside between the brick mold and the brick... go have a beer... or 3... (ask the wife if you can hang the drapes tomorrow...) Good Luck!

Answer 3

Measure between the brick at several places to get the (brick to brick) maximum width opening. Now measure from the brick sill up to under the steel or brick lintel at the top, this is your brick to brick maximum height opening. Your new window cannot be any larger than either of these dimensions.

Now remove the inside trim on the window and measure between the stud opening for the width, and the sill to header opening for the height.

Take these measurements to the window store and either get the largest window available that will fit in the rough opening you measured from the inside and still not have an overall unit dimension larger than the brick measurements on the outside.

If you need to special order a window to fit closer to the brick openings or overall unit dimensions, order it about 1/4" less on width and height than your outside brick to brick dimensions. This allows you to caulk at the sides and top and bottom.

You may need extension jambs so the frame of the window will end up flush with the wall surface on the inside. You can make these extension jambs later so don't worry about ordering them with the window.

Most lumber yards (local) will be glad to come out and measure your windows for you (if you buy the windows from them).

Just remember the *unit dimension* is the overall largest dimension of the window frame. The * rough opening* is the size of the existing hole in your house now. Your wall thickness is the distance from the exterior wall sheathing (not including brick) to the inside wall surface. The standard thickness is 4+9/16".

Double hung windows raise up and down (both upper and lower sash)

Single hung windows only the lower sash raises.

Casement windows crank out, Awning windows open out at an horizontal angle so they can be partially open even if it rains.

Sliding windows slide side to side.

Be sure to ask if the windows meet the requirement for energy tax savings rebates.

Answer 4

You know the first thing to do is get yourself a how to do home repair booklet.Then before you get in over your head you could see all that's involved with this type of home repair.Most likely there's always more work needed than what you have anticipated,since you stated it's a pretty old house.Remember good preparation is always a excellent way to start any project.

Answer 5

problematic task. search with search engines like google. this can assist!