Browse Forums Windows & Doors 1 May 08, 2010 9:39 am Some advice if you're thinking of replacing windows. If your existing windows are timber, then the jambs are in one line between outside and inside. This means that your window is in an opening which has the same dimensions inside your home as outside you home. Ideally you need a window which can fit into the same opening and that is either a replacement timber window, or an aluminium or PVC window which has the same proportions inside and outside (like EcoClassic's). Why? In the Eastern states, where we use brick veneer construction, all aluminium windows have a reveal (the timber which is used to attach the window to the timber house frame). The vast majority of windows have what is called an offset reveal, and this means that the inside opening is 40mm bigger than the aluminium size going into the brick opening. Now this doesn't really matter for new homes as they can make the frame opening and brick openings different and you won't notice. But in a replacement situation, when you remove your timber window you are left with an opening which is the same size inside and outside and it is extremely difficult and costly to fit a window with an offset reveal, as this requires a bigger opening on the inside. You choices are limited to either having the window fit snugly in the opening inside your home and having a 40mm gap at your brickwork (Or lightweight construction, or weatherboard); or you fit the window snugly into the brick opening and you must cut out and rebuild the studs on the inside . So look for a window with an inline reveal (standard in EcoClassic's PVC window, aluminium window and thermally broken aluminium window) and make your task easy. First, measure your brick opening at several points and allow 5mm all round to make it easy to fit replacement windows - be sure to make sure the opening is square. Then caulk the window around the brickwork. If you are replacing aluminium windows with offset reveals, and you are not too fussy about energy efficiency (windows with an offset reveal suffer from a lower energy rating), then use the same brand as the replacement and it will fit into the same hole. If you use EcoClassic's window then you would need wider architraves to cover the extra opening left by the offset reveal, but your energy rating will be better. Ed "ECOECO" At 'EcoEco', we design windows, we design the best windows, we do it for you, so that when you’re happy we are happy. Tel. 1800 326 326 Re: Some advice if you are thinking of replacing windows... 2May 09, 2010 4:26 pm thanks ed, for the advice. i tried to read 2-3 times, i am having difficulty to understand, the terminology. probably, if you can sketch a drawing, it helps me better to understand yes, i am thinking to replace window, when possible to double glaze... and i can't get around my head how it works, so definitely i am interested to understand this better. (i am building house at the moment, so i'll be in new home category) Final stage Re: Some advice if you are thinking of replacing windows... 3May 09, 2010 8:28 pm d3p thanks ed, for the advice. i tried to read 2-3 times, i am having difficulty to understand, the terminology. probably, if you can sketch a drawing, it helps me better to understand yes, i am thinking to replace window, when possible to double glaze... and i can't get around my head how it works, so definitely i am interested to understand this better. (i am building house at the moment, so i'll be in new home category) Hope this helps... ED Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ "ECOECO" At 'EcoEco', we design windows, we design the best windows, we do it for you, so that when you’re happy we are happy. Tel. 1800 326 326 Re: Some advice if you are thinking of replacing windows... 4May 09, 2010 11:34 pm thanks Ed. definitely makes me understand better ! say, if i want to replace window to double glaze. then what sort of work involved ? ie: how easy to remove the old window ? is it like, we remove the timber, then remove the aluminium? is it possible to do the work, without re-bricking area around the window ? what if you want to change the window size (frame and glass), to make it higher (providing there's extra space to the ground), is it possible to make the window higher, without changing timber stud ? PS: after reading some other notes, replacing later rather than having double glaze window on building stage, will cost more ? oh no ! here's the thing that frustate me: 1. you want double glaze, but you are building through builder, that means, you left with one choice, have the double glaze window through builder, which margins is extra 15 % !!! (i remember my builder, quote me for extra 12-15k) obviously it's lot of money, especially for first home buyer.... 2. or do later, still, it cost a lot of money to redo the work it's really catch 22 ! why there isn't such easy and cheaper way to have double glaze? perhaps until government force every builder in this continent using double glazing? who knows Final stage Re: Some advice if you are thinking of replacing windows... 5May 10, 2010 7:18 am d3p thanks Ed. definitely makes me understand better ! say, if i want to replace window to double glaze. then what sort of work involved ? ie: how easy to remove the old window ? is it like, we remove the timber, then remove the aluminium? is it possible to do the work, without re-bricking area around the window ? what if you want to change the window size (frame and glass), to make it higher (providing there's extra space to the ground), is it possible to make the window higher, without changing timber stud ? PS: after reading some other notes, replacing later rather than having double glaze window on building stage, will cost more ? oh no ! here's the thing that frustate me: 1. you want double glaze, but you are building through builder, that means, you left with one choice, have the double glaze window through builder, which margins is extra 15 % !!! (i remember my builder, quote me for extra 12-15k) obviously it's lot of money, especially for first home buyer.... 2. or do later, still, it cost a lot of money to redo the work it's really catch 22 ! why there isn't such easy and cheaper way to have double glaze? perhaps until government force every builder in this continent using double glazing? who knows Welcome Replacing windows is relatively easy. Remove architraves, cut nails, pull out window. Install new window 10mm smaller. Caulk all round, install architraves. The timber reveal and the window are one piece. Builders generally charge 25% margin on changes, that's all they are allowed. Get a quote for your windows from the same company supplying your builder... $12k to $15k extra is a lot. Ed "ECOECO" At 'EcoEco', we design windows, we design the best windows, we do it for you, so that when you’re happy we are happy. Tel. 1800 326 326 Re: Some advice if you are thinking of replacing windows... 6May 10, 2010 10:01 am Ed, I would love to remove the clear glass panes from our main bathroom & toilet & replace with translucent. Is that feasible? Built the Eden Brae Cambridge 34 Family with Boston Corner Facade Re: Some advice if you are thinking of replacing windows... 7May 10, 2010 10:48 am Southies Ed, I would love to remove the clear glass panes from our main bathroom & toilet & replace with translucent. Is that feasible? Hi Southies... we often use a translucent film... and we buy from this guy... Matti Pickering www.windowfrosting.co.nz. Good quality and good service... I found him on eBay... uses LG films. Ed "ECOECO" At 'EcoEco', we design windows, we design the best windows, we do it for you, so that when you’re happy we are happy. Tel. 1800 326 326 Re: Some advice if you are thinking of replacing windows... 9May 10, 2010 10:58 am Ed, Many thanks for this information - most helpful as I am about to proceed down this track and change over some windows from SG to DG. But I don't quite agree with this - Quote: Replacing windows is relatively easy. Remove architraves, cut nails, pull out window. The cutting nails part of it to be precise - can be a b????? (expletive deleted) of a job - at least on the one I have done so far. The original installation had black malthoid as packing with the nails through this to secure it in place. I hope the rest are easier. The rest of it flows OK though. cheers barkly Re: Some advice if you are thinking of replacing windows... 10May 10, 2010 10:59 am Southies So you're suggesting that's the cheaper option rather than total glass replacement ? Ed "ECOECO" At 'EcoEco', we design windows, we design the best windows, we do it for you, so that when you’re happy we are happy. Tel. 1800 326 326 Re: Some advice if you are thinking of replacing windows... 11May 10, 2010 11:01 am barkly Ed, Many thanks for this information - most helpful as I am about to proceed down this track and change over some windows from SG to DG. But I don't quite agree with this - Quote: Replacing windows is relatively easy. Remove architraves, cut nails, pull out window. The cutting nails part of it to be precise - can be a b????? (expletive deleted) of a job - at least on the one I have done so far. The original installation had black malthoid as packing with the nails through this to secure it in place. I hope the rest are easier. The rest of it flows OK though. cheers barkly Use a reciprocating saw... don't worry about damaging the old windows, their value is minimal. Ed "ECOECO" At 'EcoEco', we design windows, we design the best windows, we do it for you, so that when you’re happy we are happy. Tel. 1800 326 326 Re: Some advice if you are thinking of replacing windows... 13May 10, 2010 5:25 pm Quote: Use a reciprocating saw... don't worry about damaging the old windows, their value is minimal. Yep. That's exactly what I did. Reciprocating saws; not exactly for the feint hearted when they exercise their grunt. cheers barkly Re: Some advice if you are thinking of replacing windows... 14Jun 28, 2010 4:16 pm Ed....me again I received samples from the NZ company you recommended. The closest sample for privacy that allows light in during the day AND to match our existing translucent windows SEEMS to be the MILK. However, it's not an exact match which in itself is OK, I guess . I'm just concerned as to how effective MILK is for privacy in bathrooms. Ed, have you used MILK where privacy is required ? Thanks Built the Eden Brae Cambridge 34 Family with Boston Corner Facade Re: Some advice if you are thinking of replacing windows... 15Jun 28, 2010 6:14 pm Southies Ed....me again I received samples from the NZ company you recommended. The closest sample for privacy that allows light in during the day AND to match our existing translucent windows SEEMS to be the MILK. However, it's not an exact match which in itself is OK, I guess . I'm just concerned as to how effective MILK is for privacy in bathrooms. Ed, have you used MILK where privacy is required ? Thanks I haven't used Milk... best way to judge is to try to look through it with your viewpoint say 1 metre away and the subject say 1/2 metre from the film. My bet is you can't see anything but a blur. You can always see through with a subject right up against the glass, but it's not real life. Ed "ECOECO" At 'EcoEco', we design windows, we design the best windows, we do it for you, so that when you’re happy we are happy. Tel. 1800 326 326 Re: Some advice if you are thinking of replacing windows... 16Jun 28, 2010 7:34 pm ed @ EcoClassic I haven't used Milk... best way to judge is to try to look through it with your viewpoint say 1 metre away and the subject say 1/2 metre from the film. My bet is you can't see anything but a blur. You can always see through with a subject right up against the glass, but it's not real life. Ed I'll try my best though I think it's going to be difficult as the piece is 10cm x 10cm Built the Eden Brae Cambridge 34 Family with Boston Corner Facade Re: Some advice if you are thinking of replacing windows... 17Jul 06, 2010 11:16 am Ed, Thanks for your advice above - I fitted two of your windows over the weekend and they fitted perfectly - at 5mm less than the original windows they were actually a tight fit on the brickwork, but quite desirable of course. Just a couple of spacers either side to tighten up the reveals on the studs and the job was done. Quicker to install than pull the old one's out. The only thing extra that I would add is that if your new windows are at about a metre square or bigger and double glazed then they will be too heavy for one person - you will need assistance. barkly isn't a garage level with the rest of the house a given? pretty sure they 'came around' long time ago. if you have a flat block, the garage is usually level with the rest… 1 17595 2 8377 Yes, get a builder, make sure he is experienced and a registered building practitioner 5 8990 |