Detailed Installation

This page is for those of you who have an insatiable appetite for information. We will walk through a typical Brick to Brick installation from start to finish and point out a few things you don’t want to see.

First thing to do when arriving at the home is to lay drop sheets where needed and compare the size of the openings with the new windows you have on the truck. Remove the old window including the frame, exterior brick mold and interior casing trims. Once the old window is out it’s time to prepare the opening for the new window. At this point it’s important to look for and repair any potential structural damage caused by water leaks over the years. Depending on the positioning of the stud wall in relation to the brick opening sometimes wood filler   is needed. Position the new window level and square in the opening using shims . Use screws to anchor the window to the studs. Whenever possible fastening through the vinyl frame secures the window better than through the wood jamb alone. Check that the window is operating smoothly at this point before proceeding further. Next we apply low expansion foam in 2 separate layers. The first layer is applied where the vinyl frame meets the wood jamb extension. The 2nd layer where the wood jamb extension meets the drywall. Foaming in one pass may bow the frame leading to stiff operation. After the foam is dry it’s a good idea to check the operation of the window again before installing the new casing trims. We then install new wood casing trims with a 45 degree miter cut and use wood glue to form a solid bond. The trims are nailed into the new wood jamb on the window as well as the house frame. Nail holes are filled. Thermoplastic caulking is used to seal the brick mold to the brick or siding on the exterior. Remove the drop sheets and clean up all job related debris.

Here are things to watch out for that we see some other companies doing.

• In an effort to cut costs many companies don’t use a vinyl brick mold on the exterior, which results in a weaker window. They will use wood filler and cap it with aluminum which doesn’t usually match the colour of the window. This shouldn’t be referred to as a brick to brick installation.
• Thermoplastic caulking should be used as it won’t crack over time and can be cleaned easily. It forms a flexible seal, has exceptional adhesion, resists moisture and has weathering capabilities. It is available in many colours.
• Anyone who has seen a shaped window capped with aluminum
  
  knows how this can ruin the look of a home.
• If old caulking or paint lines are visible
  on the exterior then the depth of the window wasn’t measured properly.
• Old header capping is left
  
  in place saving time, making the installation look untidy.
• Existing Bay’s can really be made a mess of because most companies don’t have the capabilities to measure properly or manufacture the necessary components . Posts are left in place and capped resulting in a bulky look and much smaller glass area. This is a retrofit installation not brick to brick.
• Some companies use vinyl jambs and casing trim on the interior which can’t be painted or sized properly. Vinyl trim can’t be nailed to the wall and will bow over time and looks cheap. Vinyl jambs don’t add strength to the overall window and will also bow over time.
• Often we see vinyl windows that weren’t sized properly and existing interior shutters or blinds won’t fit back into the opening.
• It’s hard to believe but we still see companies installing inferior products with decades old technology, such as metal spacers between the glass panes and not using Argon gas and LoE coatings.
• Don’t be fooled not all windows are created equally, many companies are installing CSA “Approved” or “Compliant” or “Tested” windows. The best, highest performing windows available are CSA “Certified”
  
  and are subject to much more rigorous standards and frequent performance audits.
• Job sites are often left unfinished and untidy.

Contact Superior Home Improvements today with all your window installation questions.