How To Replace A Basement Window

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If y'all have a basement window that's in desperate need of an update, remove the frame and supplant the window. Install a new window that fits the space and caulk around the frame to waterproof it. If you demand to install a new window in a physical wall, cutting a hole that's large enough to concord your new window. And then make a custom frame and push the window in identify.

1. ane

   Remove the woods frame and sash or metal buck frame. If you have a wooden-framed window, pry off the frame and sash using a pry bar. Then take a reciprocating saw and cut between the wall studs and the frame. If you take a metal window frame that's rusted, determine if it was screwed or riveted in place. Unscrew it if y'all can or apply a drill to remove the rivets. Then pull away the metal frame from the surrounding concrete.^[1]

   • The wooden frame is too called a jamb while a metallic frame is also called a cadet.
   • If the metal frame isn't rusted, yous can typically exit it in place and replace just the window pieces.

2. 2

   Measure the window frame so you know what size replacement to get. For a wooden window frame, measure the width and top of the frame. Use the within measurements instead of the outside measurements since some window sills are sloped. If you're measuring a metal window frame, measure the peak and width.^[ii]

   • If you lot didn't take the frame out, you can just mensurate the size of the window. If yous can't become an exact size, order a slightly smaller window that you tin fill in with mortar.

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3. iii

   Clean the window opening and remove any ridges of mortar. Use a bucket-type vacuum to suck upwards whatever dust or debris from the window opening. If you take a concrete or brick opening, check for ridges that volition make information technology difficult to install the new window. To remove concrete ridges, use a hammer and cold chisel to scrap away the excess mortar.^[3]

   • If you lot don't want to scrap away mortar ridges, consider buying a window that's smaller and won't need to be installed over the ridge.

4. 4

   Place the replacement window in the frame and drill information technology in identify. Take out the sash and screen from the new window to arrive easier to get to the screw holes. Then carefully button the window into the opening. Utilise galvanized or stainless steel screws to screw the window in place.^[4]

   • If you're screwing the window into physical, you'll accept to screw double-threaded concrete screws using a hammer drill.
   • Check to see if your replacement window came with spiral cover plugs and put them on if so.

5. 5

   Fill in the gaps between the window and foundation. Now that you've replaced the window, await to see if the window is flush with the surrounding foundation. If at that place are any gaps, y'all'll need to use a filler to seal the gap. Consider using ane or more than of these:^[five]

   • Mortar
   • Mortar and brick or rock
   • Caulk for the sides or top of the frame
   • Urethane spray cream for under the will
   • Custom-cut pipe insulation

6. 6

   Put the window sash and screen back in and smooth away whatsoever mortar. Put whatsoever of the window parts back in place. Once the mortar or caulk is completely dry, apply a smooth trowel to smooth the mortar or caulk and so it's flush with the foundation of the window.^[6]

   • Read the mortar or caulk package to determine how long information technology needs to dry. Depending on the product, it may accept a few hours to a few days to dry.

7. vii

   Use primer to the bare parts of the wooden window. If y'all're replacing a wooden window, you lot'll need to protect it from rain and the elements. Spread 1 coat of exterior-class primer to the bare woods and allow it dry out according to the manufacturer's instructions.^[7]

   • One time the primer is dry, decide if y'all want to paint the wooden frame to match your dwelling'due south trim.

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1. 1

   Measure the size of your window and become a permit. If you want a basement window that volition satisfy egress codes, information technology needs to be at to the lowest degree v.7 foursquare ft (9.9 m) in size. Specifically, the window has to exist at to the lowest degree xx in (50 cm) wide and 24 in (61 cm) high. Once you lot know the size y'all want your window to exist, take a sketch of it to your city's building inspector'southward office to become a building allow.^[8]

   • The bottom of the window tin't exist more than than 44 in (ane.1 m) from the floor. This ensures that the window is piece of cake to apply as an emergency archway or go out.

2. ii

   Cull a location for the window and marker the outline with record. You lot may want to put the window on the wall that will requite the all-time low-cal and look the best from the exterior. Pay attention to any obstacles you might confront when installing the window. In one case you're satisfied with where to place the window, outline the window measurements on the wall using masking tape.^[9]

   • Make the outline 3 1/2 in (8 cm) wider and 1 3/4 in (4 cm) college to account for the wooden frame.
   • Obstacles for installation include buried utilities, plants growing on the exterior, wiring for the house, and ductwork. If you aren't certain if yous have buried utilities or wiring, call your utility company earlier starting the project.

3. 3

   Build a temporary back up wall for boosted support. If the joists are perpendicular to the wall you're cut into, build a 2 ten 4 ft (60 10 120 cm) support wall. Make the wall 3 ft (90 cm) in front of the wall you're cutting into. Screw the support wall firmly into place at the top and bottom where it meets the joists.^[10]

   • If the joists aren't perpendicular to the window wall or the window will exist less than 48 in (1.ii m) wide, you tin skip this step.

4. iv

   Staple plastic sheeting to the temporary wall to catch the dust. Before y'all begin cut into the wall, hang half dozen-mil plastic sheeting from the temporary wall and staple it in identify. Cutting slits in the plastic then you can lift information technology up and staple the sheeting in between the joists.^[eleven]

   • The plastic volition contain the dust and debris from cut which volition make clean up easier.

5. 5

   Mark the cut lines and drill through pilot holes on the corners. Measure and mark the dimensions of the window on the exterior using masking tape. Use a hammer drill and a long bit to drill pilot holes through the middle of the lesser cutting line. Yous'll also demand to drill level holes at the corners of the window so they go through the wall.^[12]

   • Use a level to ensure that you're marking the window accurately. Use the measuring lines as guides when yous drill.

6. half-dozen

   Apply a concrete saw to cut the interior and outside outline of the window. Apply a 14 inch (35 cm) physical saw with a diamond blade to cut the outline of the window from the inside and exterior. Make the cut about one/2 in (one.iii cm) deep. You'll demand to become around the outline twice with the saw, making a ane/2 in (1.3 cm) deep cutting the second fourth dimension as well.^[13]

   • If the saw is making besides much dust as it cuts the concrete, moisture the blade.

7. 7

   Knock out the concrete and smooth the opening. Take a iv lb (1.8 kg) sledgehammer and hit the concrete most the height part of the window's heart. Then hit around the center edges of the window. The concrete will begin to autumn out of the wall. Once most of it is out, utilize a brick chisel to remove small $.25 of physical that remain.^[14]

   • At this point you lot can check to ensure that the rough frame and window will fit the opening you just made.

8. viii

   Fill the exposed wall blocks with newspapers and concrete. Take several newspapers and crumple them up. Stuff them into the exposed concrete blocks. Then use a cement trowel to make full the blocks with concrete and embrace them with plastic sheeting.^[15]

   • The newspapers volition prevent the concrete from falling down through the blocks.
   • The plastic sheeting will prevent the h2o from the physical from warping the window frame sill.

9. 9

   Install and spiral the sill and frame in place. To install the sill, spiral 3 in (7.5 cm) deck screws through the wood into the wet physical. So push the header in identify and screw it to the floor joists. Install the frame sides so they fit tightly and bang them into place. Drill screws at a an angle through the frame sides.^[sixteen]

   • The frame sides will support the header.

10. 10

    Anchor the frame and caulk around it. Apply two three/xvi ten 3 one/4 in (.5 x viii.ii cm) concrete screws to secure the frame to the block wall. Then apply a polyurethane or outside caulk to fill in gaps between the frame and concrete.^[17]

    • If you want the screws to be flush to the frame, countersink them so they don't extend past the frame.
    • If the gaps are wider than one/4 in (six mm), install a foam backer rod into the gap. Then seal with the caulking.

11. eleven

    Caulk around the inside of the frame and install the window. Get help to hold upward the new window and eye information technology in identify. So remove the window and so yous can caulk around the wood frame. Put the window back in place and ensure it's level. Drill screws into the nailing fin so the window is secured.^[18]

    • Check your specific nailing fin to run across if it's supposed to exist nailed in identify instead screwed in identify.

12. 12

    Remove the temporary wall and let the window dry for two to 3 days. Pull down the plastic sheeting you installed to incorporate grit so accept down the temporary back up wall. Go out the new window to set and dry earlier you pigment or use the window.^[19]

    • Information technology may have longer for your window to set up if your basement is very damp or humid.

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Add New Question

• Question

  How do I get more than light from those tiny basement windows?

  

  Try using mirrors to reflect light to different areas of the room. Even simply painting the windowsill and any other surrounding shoulders bright white can dramatically increment the window light output.

• Question

  Can I use pressboard or interior window sill?

  

  Pressboard (particle board) is an inexpensive option for a new windowsill frame.

• Question

  We are ready to install two basement windows. There is an R/O with forest trim. Do we have to remove the wood R/O before we install the windows or do the windows sit in this opening?

  

  No, not if the windows fit. As long equally they're in skillful shape, in that location'south no police against re-using them nor keeping them undisturbed. Even so, if they're just blocking empty infinite or minor gaps, I'd remove them and insulate the new window to be air, water and issues-tight.

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• Once you've installed the window, bevel the ledge under it and so water drains away.

Thank you for submitting a tip for review!

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• Always wear safe equipment such as a mask and condom goggles.

• While yous can cut through concrete block walls safely, yous should hire a professional person to cut the window if your basement walls are poured concrete.^[twenty]

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Things You'll Demand

• Common cold chisel
• Reciprocating saw
• Pry bar
• Hammer
• Replacement window
• Galvanized or stainless steel screws
• Ability drill and screw driver
• Double-threaded concrete screws
• Hammer drill
• Bucket-type vacuum
• Filler for gaps
• Smooth trowel
• Paint castor
• Outside-class primer
• Prophylactic glasses, dust mask, and hearing protection

• Masking tape
• Tape measure
• half-dozen-mil plastic sheeting
• 2 10 4 ft (60 ten 120 cm) lumber for temporary wall
• 3 in (vii.5 cm) deck screws
• Hammer drill with long bit
• Physical saw with a 12 or xiv in (30 or 35.5 cm) blade
• Safety glasses, dust mask, and hearing protection
• Brick chisel
• 4 pounds (1.8 kg) sledgehammer
• Level
• Caulk gun
• Concrete
• Physical trowel
• Newspapers
• Shims, optional

About This Article

Article Summary X

To install a replacement basement window, remove the frame and sash, then measure the window frame so you know what size to get. Make clean the window opening to remove whatsoever debris before you place the replacement window in the frame. Later yous screw the window into the frame, fill up in any gaps with mortar, caulk, or spray cream. Then, put the window sash and screen back in and smooth abroad any mortar or caulk. Read on to learn how to install an egress window in your basement!

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Source: https://www.wikihow.com/Install-Basement-Windows

Posted by: pattersoncalk1984.blogspot.com

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