I have been following some replacement window forums lately, and I find it incredible that home renovators are impressing to their clients and / or readers, and to favour retrofit windows.
Perhaps it’s because the installation crew isn’t qualified to install full frame replacement windows, or perhaps it’s that the market has been beaten up so badly by cold calling, door knocking, high pressure sales people that the only way to make a sale is to make the product as cheap as possible…..perhaps it’s a combination.
Are retrofit windows a bad choice?
No, not always.
Although you can achieve the best efficiency in a full replacement window, you have to understand your home, and what you want to achieve. Most people in older homes are very concerned with the cost of heating and cooling, however, they would also like to maintain the historical integrity of their home. For this client, I would suggest a retrofit window. In most cases, these windows are built from old forests, have very good wood (even though it could be over 100 years old), and are quite attractive and suit the house. In some cases, these windows are even supporting the bricks above the windows, so replacing them back to the stud could be a bad idea. Ask you installer to make sure to spray low expansion foam in all cavities (including where the old “block and tackle” pulley system was to maximize the efficiency of the perimeter of the window. Although these windows may still allow some cold air around the old frame, this glass and frame of the new window, as well as the exterior aluminum flashing around the old wood will allow you maintenance free windows for years to come.
Full replacement windows
A full frame replacement window is always a good choice if your windows are less than 40 years old. For the most part, the old wood windows are rotting (and what you see isn’t all of what you’ve got), and the newer windows (if wood) are not solid. You may think they are, but they probably are not. Most wood windows contain cavities and are made up of multiple joined lengths of wood to make it look like they are solid. These windows must be removed completely, and new windows should be installed with new jamb extensions and exterior brickmold or Jmold (in siding applications. Full tear out windows allow the home owner to benefit from new technology, as well as knowing that from the framing studs to the windows, any cold air drafts are eliminated. Most new vinyl windows are also designed to drain, so the days of your window being as good as the sealant are gone. Full frame replacement is the right way to do things if the situation allows.
The best thing to do is examine and determine what the result you are looking for would be, and find someone who will listen to you, and provide you with the available options. Remember, this is a major purchase, and you will not be told what to do without a little bit of research.
These rules have exceptions, but for the most part are the way it is
60 + year old home Retrofit
Casement window Full tear out
Vinyl window Full tear out (this is always, never retrofit to an old vinyl window)
Glass sliders Optional I see half and half
40 – year old home Full tear out
You’ve heard “they don’t build them like they used to”, this is definately true when it comes to new wood windows. Although the efficiency is much better, their shelf life is not even remotely close to the windows of a century home.
I always suggest whatever is required considering the age of the home and the style of the window. A common suggestion is, if the wood is rotting, where you see it is is not the only place it is. Chances are, your frame is rotting too, and to retrofit into rot, is just a bad idea.
