The windows and siding of your home are just as important as any other part of your home. It contributes to the structural integrity of your home, as it protects the home’s inhabitants from exterior dangers, like harsh weather conditions and burglars. Not only that, but this part of your home also adds to the exterior appearance of your home, meaning it could potentially boost its curb appeal, and overall resale value if you ever do decide to sell your home in the future. What is important to remember though is that your home must be in its best condition to receive a windows and doors installation for the best results. With that being said, you must plan ahead on how you will prepare your home for your windows and doors installation. If you are having trouble with doing so, here are some steps that will help your home for a quicker installation.
Measure your windows and doors
Before you begin the installation process, it is important to accurately measure your windows and doors. This will help you ensure that the new replacements will fit properly. If you happen to choose the wrong size when ordering your replacements, you will need to send them back and get your money refunded, which is such a hassle and will cost you a lot of time. Not to mention, you also need to pay the contractors for at least trying to install the windows, as well as their time. So, in order to save you both your money and time, it is important that you double check the size of your current windows and compare them to the size of the windows that you are considering.
Remove old windows and doors
Once you have the correct measurements, the next step is to remove the old windows and doors. It is best that you call a professional to do these next few steps in order to get the best out of your replacement windows. If you do want to do it yourself, you must have a professional by your side to at least assist you. Furthermore, when replacing your windows and doors, you must use the proper tools and materials for the job. This step will require some tools such as a hammer, pry bar, and saw. In addition, you must also be sure to remove all of the old trim, nails, and caulking.
Clean the openings
After the old windows and doors have been removed, it is important to thoroughly clean the openings. This will ensure that the new windows and doors will be installed properly. If you do not do this before installing your new windows, you may put yourself in the position to deal with a number of problems in the future as a homeowner. For instance, if you do not clean the openings, you will potentially have issues with drafts or leaks with your new windows, which would cost a lot of money and time to fix up, or maybe even replace. With that being said, you must make sure that you don’t skim over this step and if you hire a professional, be on the lookout if they did this step or not.
Inspect the openings
Installing new windows and doors is a great way to restart the looks and feel of your home and the living area it provides. With that being said, once the openings have been cleaned, it is important to inspect them for any damage or rot to make sure that you get the most out of this fresh, new start. If you do find damage in your openings, it will need to be repaired before the new windows and doors can be installed. If you decide not to, as mentioned above, you will be setting yourself up to face a whole lot of problems that will cost you time and money in the near future.
Prepare the new windows and doors
After inspecting the openings, you must prepare your new windows and doors for installation to make sure that you will get the most bang out of your buck. Before installing the new windows and doors, it is important to prepare them by cleaning them thoroughly and applying any necessary sealant or weatherstripping. This will ensure that you are truly reaping the benefits your new windows and doors may have to offer. If you were not to prepare the new windows and doors, you may come across some future problems, like drafts or mold.
Install new flashing
After preparing your windows and doors for their installation, you must install new flashing into the openings of your home. Installing new flashing around the openings is essential. This product is meant to prevent water damage and leaks from coming into your home and negatively affecting your living area. This will need to be done before the new windows and doors are installed. If you do not install this before your windows and doors, it will be tougher to apply to your openings and it is more likely that it won’t be installed properly.
Install new windows and doors
Once everything has been prepared, from the openings of your home to the windows themselves, it is time to install the new windows and doors. This process will require some tools such as a level, saw, and caulking gun. It is important to be precise and make sure that the new windows and doors are installed correctly. With that being said, for this step, it is best that you hire a professional windows and doors installer to make sure that your new replacements will provide you with the best results possible.
Finish the installation
After the new windows and doors are installed, it is now time to finish the whole operation. In order to do so, there are several tasks that you must complete, which include finishing the installation by caulking around the frames, adding any necessary trim, and painting or staining the new windows and doors to match the existing colour of the home. This will ensure that your home looks beautiful and is protected from the elements. Furthermore, this will add to the resale value of your home, if you do plan to sell it in the future and move out.
When renovating your home and installing something new, it is always important that you pay close attention to what you are doing and make sure that everything is going as planned. It is best that you prepare beforehand and make up a sort of guideline to follow in order to make sure that you get the best results from your operation. With that being said, there are several steps that you must take in order to prepare your home for a quick windows and doors installation. These steps include measuring your new windows and doors, removing the old windows and doors, cleaning the openings, inspecting the openings, preparing the new windows and doors, installing new flashing, actually installing the new windows and doors and finishing the installation with tasks such as painting or staining the new windows and doors. If you have further questions about the preparation for your next installation, talk to your local professional today!