Installing Vinyl Replacement Windows on the Second Floor

If you have a two story house, and you are going to replace the windows on both the first and second floor, there are little tricks that you can use to make the upper floor job a bit safer and easier. If the windows are replacement style frames, you install them from inside the house, so the only thing that you will do different than the first floor windows is to use an extension ladder to caulk the exterior. So, let's talk about doing retrofit style windows on the second floor. You can usually remove the old window from inside the house, but if you have a picture window, you have to use the extension ladder to remove the stops holding the glass in place. Then, you can go inside the house and cut the glass free from the frame using a utility knife. Put a tarp on the ground below the window, to catch any glass pieces that may fall during the removal. Also, don't forget to keep people and animals away from the area below the window.

Once you are ready to install the new window, you can do it from inside the house. Remember, when installing retrofit style frames, you install them from outside and raise them into place. Instead, carry the window upstairs. If it's a slider, remove the screen and sliding panel. Then, using a helper, you can angle the window frame through the opening, extending the retrofit lip completely outside of the opening before pulling the window back toward you, and installing the window as if you were outside. Have your helper hold the center bar while you put a screw into the top center to hold the frame in place. You can do the entire installation from inside. The only time you will need to go on the extension ladder is when you're ready to caulk the exterior. Make sure you put a generous amount of caulk where the top of the frame meets the stucco or exterior material. You don't want any water getting past the new frame, otherwise it can work it's way through the wall and down through the ceiling or the walls. You would be surprised how easily two people can install an 8' wide by 5' tall sliding window on the second floor if you remove the sliding panels and screens. In fact, my helper and I did one 10' wide and 5' high. That was the biggest one I ever did on the second floor. You can run a bead of caulk on the outside face of the old frame before installing the new frame right from inside the room.

Now, if you are installing a picture window, it's a little tougher. You can't remove any panels to lighten the load, and it's tougher to get as firm a grip on the frame. But, on the positive side, picture windows aren't usually much larger than 3' by 5' on the second floor. If you have a large picture window, or if you have several to install, I have access to suction cups that are used in the glass industry. You can attach them to the glass and use them as handles when extending the frame outside through the opening. Contact me on my website at How to install windows if you want to get pricing on suction cups. You can get the smaller, inexpensive models for around $40 each.

So, if you are hesitating to replace your old windows yourself because you didn't think you could do the upstairs windows, now you know you can. Next week's topic is going to be about replacing the rollers on your patio door. If you can't hardly open your sliding glass door anymore, a couple of new rollers can make all the difference in the world.

John Rocco has been installing replacement windows since 1978. To learn more, visit How To Install Windows

---

Creating Your Joyful Home: Dawning of Your Emotions

"I keep the subject of my inquiry constantly before me,... Read More

Bathroom Wall Cabinets ? Create Extra Space with a Touch of Style!

Is your bathroom looking cluttered? How about fitting new bathroom... Read More

Help Choosing Door and Window Hardware

Who would be the best person to help you find... Read More

Cheap Interior Design Ideas

Cheap interior design ideas come in many forms these days.... Read More

How I Got A Robot To Vacuum The House

Like most people I really hated to vacuum the house.... Read More

Physiological Response to Window Coverings

Nothing soothes the brain like Mother Nature, whose intrinsic scenery... Read More

Interior Design For New Homes

When decorating or making decorating decisions for new homes, it... Read More

Have You Considered Fluorescent Lighting for Your Home?

Many of us know that fluorescent lighting is common in... Read More

Avoiding Leaks When Installing Vinyl Retrofit Windows

These days a lot of homeowners are replacing their old... Read More

At Last You Can Customize Your Pegboard As Much As You Want

Customizable metal pegboard is set to revolutionise utensil storage. For... Read More

Rustic Stone House Signs

You may own a remarkably constructed, attractive house that is... Read More

Carbon Monoxide Can Be Deadly--Early Detection Monitors Make It Easy to Protect Your Family

If you burn gas, kerosene, or wood in your home... Read More

Light Up Your Life With Feng Shui

Feng Shui (pronounced Foong Shway or Fung Shoy) is the... Read More

Buying the Right Garage Door Opener

If you have recently built a new garage you might... Read More

Which Water Purification Systems Are Best? - A Comparison of the Three Most Common Technologies

Fresh water is essential to our health and comfort. Not... Read More

Hydronic vs Forced Air Heating and Cooling

Hydronic, or hot water, heating has been standard for years... Read More

Heres How To Know Which Kitchen Design Is Right For You

Kitchen design is a sea of opportunity filled with potential.... Read More

Modern Rugs

The modern look is a highly admired form of interior... Read More

Why You Might Need a Waterproofing Consultant

Waterproof consultants perform a wide variety of functions. Why should... Read More

The Benefits of Steel Storage Buildings

Steel is gaining in popularity as a building material due... Read More

House Plans ? Research Is Key

When you think about building your new home consider your... Read More

Wallpaper Doesnt Just Cover...It Defines The Room

Wallpaper is often overlooked as a key part of an... Read More

Remodeling Your Kitchen

Remodeling a kitchen is one of the best investments a... Read More

Types Of Bedsteads

Selection of bedstead is also an important thing as selection... Read More

The Benifits of Home Ventilation

The purpose of a home ventilation system is to maintain... Read More

Use the FHA Mortgage Specifically Created for Home Improvement

Almost everyone knows about FHA mortgages. They are tailor-made for... Read More

Help With Buying A New Ceiling Fan

When you are choosing a new ceiling fan there are... Read More

Why Is Your House Cold?

How many of you have experienced this situation? As the... Read More

Mexico: Who Farted?

Do you have embarrassing gas problems? Do you find this... Read More

Home Air Filters: Knowing Which One to Choose

Since air filters are one of the bests tools for... Read More

Home Inspection: A Doctor Visit for Your Home

Has your house had a check up yet?Home inspection is... Read More

Sofa slipcovers - Give your home an instant makeover!

Sofa slipcovers are designed to be easy to fit over... Read More

3 Kinds Of Wood Used In Real Wood Furniture

Real wood furniture is the most popular furniture in existence.... Read More