Window Installation…Replacement Windows
Northwest Energy Savers: Installing Energy Efficient Windows
Installation of your Replacement windows is extremely important.
Northwest Energy Savers uses only AAMA Certified Installers. Being AAMA certified means that your windows are installed properly to meet/exceed all local builder codes as well as The Manufacturers requirements.
Our Installation Workmanship Warranty is 20 years (vs. 1yr for most of our competitors). We do not take shortcuts like some of the competition does. Here is a step by step explanation of our Replacement window installation process, by my lead installer Mike Kuschel.
Step-By-Step Installation of Energy Efficient Windows ( see also detailed explanation below)
As a Family run business, we do whatever it takes to make your installation the best possible.
Here is a detailed list of the steps we take to assure you and your family of the Best Installation.
Northwest Energy Savers
Replacement Window Installation Procedure
“The Best in the Business”
1) Contact homeowner well in advance to determine installation days that work out for both parties. 1 or 2 extra days will be added to the estimated installation time in case of bad weather, or unforeseen circumstances such as dry rot repair, bug problems inside walls, sickness, etc. These extra days allow us to complete the project on time without having to rush the project which can sacrifice quality. This also prevents having to inconvenience the homeowner or the next scheduled installation.
2) Contact homeowner approximately ½ hour before scheduled arrival time to let them know we are on the way and how much longer before we arrive.
3) Upon arrival and introduction of our crew, we confirm with homeowner which windows or doors we will begin with.
4) Freshly laundered drop cloths are laid out from the homes entrance throughout the home to each window or door to be removed.
5) New plastic is rolled out and put over beds, furniture, computers, etc
6) Interior blinds and curtains are removed if necessary.
7) Outside, tarps are laid out under the windows to be removed.
8) A large tarp is laid down and a table saw and chop saw are set up on top to create a work station where no saw dust will grind its way into the driveway or yard.
9) Measurements are taken to assure windows will fit and were manufactured to our specific specifications. This will prevent boarding up a window opening in the event of a wrong measurement, or a mistake by the manufacturer.
10) Measurements are taken inside the home to establish the exact center line between the existing interior liners & trim.
11) The above measurements are then transferred to the outside of the existing window.
12) From these measurements we determine the exact cut lines on the exterior siding so the new window will be centered in the opening and the interior reveals will all be equal.
13) The exterior siding is cut and removed to expose the original windows nail flange. Note, when cutting the siding we are careful not to crisscross the cut lines at the corners. The corners are cut with a plunge saw to create a very clean cut without splitting or cracking the siding at the corners. (We do not use chisels as some installers do which result in un-necessary cracks in the exterior siding and interior sheetrock).
14) The siding & soffits are now swept off to clean up any sawdust which will accumulate during the cutting procedure.
15) We now clean up the siding pieces and debris that have been removed.
16) The new window is now unpackaged and prepped to be installed.
17) The existing window is removed and taken away to be loaded and removed from the job site at the end of the day.
18) The interior liners are either removed, cut down, left in place and cut down, or left alone depending on the type of window being installed. The liners that are left in place are insulated between the liner and rough opening using a fiberglass type insulation to prevent any possible air movement due to conduction.
19) The existing opening is vacuumed & cleaned to remove moisture, dirt, grease, & other debris that could interfere with the adhesion of sill flashing.
20) The opening is inspected for dry rot & bug infestation. If anything is found it will be dealt with at this time.
21) A DuPont FlexWrap sill flashing is now installed along the sill & 6” up each side of opening assuring a 1 ½” to 3” coverage onto the exterior face of the wall. This type of flexwrap stretches around corners and does not require cuts in the material to cover corners. This is important as the corners are the most critical places for water infiltration. Unlike other types of window wraps the Dupont product is superior due to its’ make-up. The DuPont flashing system is made from a synthetic rubber adhesive and a laminate of polyethylene film, elastic fiber, synthetic rubber adhesive, polyurethane adhesive, and a top sheet of flash spun bonded high density polyethylene fibers. Additives have been incorporated into these materials to provide ultraviolet light resistance.
22) A continuous bead of Sonolstic Low Modulus Silyl-Terminated Polyether Sealant is applied around the exterior side of the window opening. This type of sealant has excellent adhesion and extreme joint movement capabilit (+100 to – 50). This is important for keeping moving joints water tight.
23) The new window is set into the opening, shimmed, leveled, and plumbed.
24) The window is screwed in through the nail flange using a 2 ¼” Self Drilling Coated Phil Bugle Head screw. The screws (unlike nails) suck the window in tightly against the sealant to provide a water/weather tight seal while not damaging the window flange. This also provides easier removal if the window ever needs to be removed.
25) A DuPont Straight Flash Window wrap (similar to the sill flashing) is applied over the window flange and onto the face of the wall at the head and sides.
26) The new exterior trim is now applied with mitered corners using a 2 ½” x 16 Guage Galvanized Chisel Point finish nail. Several exterior trim styles and types are available. Trim samples will be presented by your window consultant or by the lead installer during the critical measure meeting prior to the windows being ordered
27) The interior cavities between the window and rough opening are now insulated if the interior liners and trim have been removed.
28) The removed interior liners and trim are now cut down using a 3 to 5 degree inside bevel and reassembled.
29) These interior liners are now reinstalled with shims under the sill to prevent flexing. This trim is usually reinstalled exactly in the same location as when removed to avoid paint lines on the wall. We are careful to make sure the interior reveals around the window are equal to assure a balanced appearance. There may be some touch up painting needed when the existing liners were out of square and the reinstallation was put in plumb and level. In most cases this is not necessary.
30) The window stickers are removed. The stickers showing important information for the homeowners are kept and giving to the owner after completion. These stickers need to be kept on file by the homeowner for warranty and tax purposes.
31) The window is cleaned on the outside and inside using professional cleaning supplies and tools.
32) Drop cloths are picked up.
33) The interior floor is vacuumed.
34) The plastic covering furniture, beds, computers, etc. is removed and disposed.
35) All exterior tarps are removed, any remaining debris picked up, work stations put away and cleaned up.
36) Old windows, debris, tools, etc are all packed into the truck and trailer.
37) A final walk through is done checking all aspects of the installation.
