If you are looking for DIY window replacement tips, search no further – here are a few excellent ideas to help you become one of the DIY enthusiasts who have already tackled the task of replacing their own windows successfully.

The Tools You Will Need

For a successful DIY window replacement project, you need the right tools – here are the most important tools of the trade:

• Safety equipment, including glasses, gloves and a helmet,
• A caulk gun,
• Good quality hammers and screwdrivers and a power drill or power driver,
• Knives, including a putty knife and a utility knife,
• Tape measure and a level,
• A suitably sized pry bar.

Choosing the Right Type of Window

Whether you decide to buy brand-new windows or you go for second-hand, here are the most common types of windows:

• Insert windows – a good choice for solid, undamaged frames and for situations when the new window is of exactly the same size as the old one,
• Full-frame windows – the best solution if you want to modify the size or the shape of your windows. The types they come in include double-hung, awning, specialty and casement windows.

The two types are different in terms of complexity – full-frame windows are a bit more difficult to install than insert types, but with the right tools and some planning, none of them are very complicated.

How to Make Accurate Measurements

To be able to buy new windows that fit perfectly, you need to know exactly what size to buy. Measure the width of the window at three height points between the inside of one jamb to the other, then measure the height the same way, only vertically. For both dimensions, use the smallest measurement as reference.

Removing the Old Window

Use your knives, your pry bar and your screwdriver to remove the old window. Try to be as gentle as possible and take care not to damage the area around the window. You will find that Lansing windows were built well, so be careful not to damage the wall when removing them.  Remove the old sash, the sash chords and the sash weights as well – many old windows still have these components.

Make a Rough Installation

When the old window has been removed, clean the opening as much as you can, then remove the packing clips from the shims of the new window and place the window into the opening to see if it fits. Pay special attention to the shims – mark their exact location on the wall for the final fitting. Make sure your new window is exactly where it should be, then use the mounting screws provided with the windows and fix them into the jambs and fix the window header as well. Test the new window by opening and closing it repeatedly and make the necessary adjustments to the sashes and the shims to ensure smooth operation. If you are sure the window is in the right place, fix it all into the opening with caulk.

We hope we could make your project easier with these DIY window replacement tips – the replacement will make your home more comfortable and more attractive and you can enjoy the fruit of your own work.