Replacing Windows in an Older Home - Can this be a DIY project?

[sohcrates]

There are only about 10 windows in the house (townhome). Seem to be pretty standard sized. But they are the originals and are badly in need of being replaced.

I am wondering if anyone has ever replaced their own windows? Or would i just be better off having an installer do it? I'm obviously looking to save money here.

Other than popping a new one in and caulking /insulating around it, is there anything i'm missing? Is there a chance i'd have to work with the vinyl siding to make it look correct on the outside? Also, the front of the home is brick, does this make it easier / harder to replace windows?

Thanks for any insight.

p.s. also any ideas on price ranges? Haven't gotten any official quotes yet.

 

[Mr N8]

You will probably want to replace the moldings around the windows, also. You can reuse molding, but it looks a lot better if you go with new. It's really not a very hard job, if you are accustomed to doing things yourself. If you do run into problems, though, you are on your own. I've actually done 4 of my friends houses, and 3 of them had little weird quirks that had to worked around in at least one place.

 

[sohcrates]

I've actually done 4 of my friends houses, and 3 of them had little weird quirks that had to worked around in at least one place.

yeah, those quirks are what i'm afraid of. i'm relatively handy, but would hate to take window out and get stuck and have to call a pro in...

 

[AccruedExpenditure]

MS?

 

[bigj3347]

I don't think its worth it, there's a lot of good deals in the paper and online, just look around. I'm sure you can do it yourself and might save some money now but down the road, it might cause more problems with poor insulation./installation. Ask around for referrals.

 

[Maximus96]

20 year old is not "OLDER" our house is built in the 20's

 

[RaynorWolfcastle]

Buy a copy of Windows XP Pro, back up, then format your hard drive. and install It should be a pretty easy DIY project

 

[sohcrates]

Originally posted by: zaku
20 year old is not "OLDER" our house is built in the 20's

good point

of course, with the amount of new construction going up in my area, this thing i just bought is basically a dinosaur

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: zaku
20 year old is not "OLDER" our house is built in the 20's

seriously, and even THAT's not old by European standards.

Replacing windows can be a DIY job, but you certainly won't do as good a job on the first few as you will once you get the hang of it...so do the small, hidden ones first.

 

[SpunkyJones]

Originally posted by: sohcrates

Originally posted by: zaku
20 year old is not "OLDER" our house is built in the 20's

good point

of course, with the amount of new construction going up in my area, this thing i just bought is basically a dinosaur

My baby was built in 1902!

 

[NutBucket]

Originally posted by: SpunkyJones

Originally posted by: sohcrates

Originally posted by: zaku
20 year old is not "OLDER" our house is built in the 20's

good point

of course, with the amount of new construction going up in my area, this thing i just bought is basically a dinosaur

My baby was built in 1902!

Exactly. 20 years is a baby!

 

[Ornery]

Originally posted by: zaku
20 year old is not "OLDER" our house is built in the 20's

Yeah, what exactly is wrong with your twenty year old windows?

You'll never recoup the cost in energy savings, if that's what you're trying to do. Cheap, replacement window inserts would be easy to install, but they wouldn't look any better than what you have. Pella makes nice ones, but $$$$$$$! :Q

New work windows would be the best priced and look great, but a huge pain to install as you've guessed.