How To Install Replacement Basement Windows

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If you have a basement window that's in desperate need of an update, remove the frame and replace the window. Install a new window that fits the space and caulk around the frame to waterproof it. If you need to install a new window in a concrete wall, cut a hole that's big enough to concur your new window. Then make a custom frame and push the window in place.

i
Remove the wood frame and sash or metal cadet frame. If you accept a wooden-framed window, pry off the frame and sash using a pry bar. Then accept a reciprocating saw and cut between the wall studs and the frame. If you have a metal window frame that's rusted, make up one's mind if it was screwed or riveted in identify. Unscrew it if you can or use a drill to remove the rivets. Then pull away the metal frame from the surrounding physical.^[1]
- The wooden frame is as well called a jamb while a metal frame is likewise called a cadet.
- If the metal frame isn't rusted, you tin can typically leave it in identify and supervene upon just the window pieces.
ii
Measure the window frame and so you lot know what size replacement to get. For a wooden window frame, measure the width and height of the frame. Use the inside measurements instead of the outside measurements since some window sills are sloped. If yous're measuring a metal window frame, measure the elevation and width.^[2]
- If you didn't take the frame out, you can simply measure the size of the window. If you can't go an exact size, guild a slightly smaller window that you can make full in with mortar.
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3
Clean the window opening and remove whatever ridges of mortar. Use a bucket-type vacuum to suck up whatsoever dust or debris from the window opening. If you have a concrete or brick opening, bank check for ridges that will brand it hard to install the new window. To remove concrete ridges, utilise a hammer and cold chisel to bit abroad the backlog mortar.^[3]
- If yous don't want to chip away mortar ridges, consider buying a window that's smaller and won't need to be installed over the ridge.
iv
Place the replacement window in the frame and drill it in place. Have out the sash and screen from the new window to make it easier to get to the screw holes. Then carefully push the window into the opening. Use galvanized or stainless steel screws to screw the window in place.^[four]
- If you're screwing the window into concrete, you lot'll have to screw double-threaded concrete screws using a hammer drill.
- Check to run across if your replacement window came with screw cover plugs and put them on if so.
5
Fill in the gaps betwixt the window and foundation. Now that you've replaced the window, await to see if the window is affluent with the surrounding foundation. If there are any gaps, y'all'll need to utilise a filler to seal the gap. Consider using one or more of these:^[5]
- Mortar
- Mortar and brick or rock
- Caulk for the sides or top of the frame
- Urethane spray foam for under the will
- Custom-cut pipe insulation
vi
Put the window sash and screen dorsum in and smoothen away whatever mortar. Put whatever of the window parts back in place. Once the mortar or caulk is completely dry out, use a smooth trowel to shine the mortar or caulk so information technology'due south flush with the foundation of the window.^[6]
- Read the mortar or caulk package to determine how long information technology needs to dry out. Depending on the production, information technology may take a few hours to a few days to dry.
7
Apply primer to the bare parts of the wooden window. If y'all're replacing a wooden window, you'll need to protect it from rain and the elements. Spread 1 coat of exterior-class primer to the bare wood and permit it dry out according to the manufacturer's instructions.^[7]
- In one case the primer is dry, decide if you desire to pigment the wooden frame to match your dwelling house's trim.
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1
Measure the size of your window and get a permit. If yous desire a basement window that will satisfy egress codes, it needs to be at least five.seven foursquare ft (ix.nine m) in size. Specifically, the window has to be at least twenty in (l cm) wide and 24 in (61 cm) high. Once yous know the size you desire your window to be, take a sketch of information technology to your city's edifice inspector'due south function to become a building allow.^[8]
- The bottom of the window can't be more than 44 in (1.i m) from the floor. This ensures that the window is easy to employ equally an emergency entrance or exit.
2
Choose a location for the window and mark the outline with tape. You lot may want to put the window on the wall that volition requite the best lite and look the best from the exterior. Pay attention to any obstacles you might face when installing the window. One time you're satisfied with where to place the window, outline the window measurements on the wall using masking tape.^[9]
- Make the outline three 1/2 in (eight cm) wider and 1 3/4 in (4 cm) higher 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 sure if you lot take cached utilities or wiring, call your utility visitor before starting the project.
iii
Build a temporary support wall for boosted support. If the joists are perpendicular to the wall you're cutting into, build a 2 x iv ft (60 x 120 cm) support wall. Brand the wall 3 ft (90 cm) in front of the wall you're cut into. Screw the back up wall firmly into place at the peak and lesser where it meets the joists.^[ten]
- If the joists aren't perpendicular to the window wall or the window will be less than 48 in (ane.2 m) wide, you can skip this step.
4
Staple plastic sheeting to the temporary wall to catch the grit. Before you brainstorm cutting into the wall, hang 6-mil plastic sheeting from the temporary wall and staple information technology in identify. Cut slits in the plastic and so you tin elevator it up and staple the sheeting in between the joists.^[11]
- The plastic will contain the grit and debris from cut which will brand clean upwardly easier.
v
Mark the cutting lines and drill through pilot holes on the corners. Measure out and mark the dimensions of the window on the exterior using masking tape. Apply a hammer drill and a long bit to drill airplane pilot holes through the eye of the bottom cutting line. Yous'll also need to drill level holes at the corners of the window so they go through the wall.^[12]
- Utilize a level to ensure that y'all're marking the window accurately. Use the measuring lines every bit guides when you drill.
6
Employ a concrete saw to cut the interior and exterior outline of the window. Use a xiv inch (35 cm) physical saw with a diamond blade to cut the outline of the window from the inside and outside. Make the cut about one/ii in (one.iii cm) deep. You'll need to get around the outline twice with the saw, making a 1/2 in (1.3 cm) deep cut the second time equally well.^[xiii]
- If the saw is making also much dust as it cuts the concrete, wet the blade.
7
Knock out the physical and smooth the opening. Take a iv lb (one.8 kg) sledgehammer and hit the physical near the elevation part of the window'due south eye. Then hit around the center edges of the window. The concrete will begin to autumn out of the wall. Once virtually of it is out, utilize a brick chisel to remove small-scale $.25 of concrete that remain.^[14]
- At this indicate you can check to ensure that the rough frame and window will fit the opening you only made.
8
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 fill the blocks with physical and cover them with plastic sheeting.^[15]
- The newspapers will prevent the physical from falling down through the blocks.
- The plastic sheeting will forestall the h2o from the physical from warping the window frame sill.
9
Install and spiral the sill and frame in place. To install the sill, screw 3 in (7.five cm) deck screws through the forest into the wet concrete. Then push the header in place and screw information technology to the flooring joists. Install the frame sides so they fit tightly and bang them into place. Drill screws at a an angle through the frame sides.^[16]
- The frame sides volition support the header.
10
Anchor the frame and caulk effectually information technology. Use two iii/16 x 3 1/4 in (.5 x 8.2 cm) concrete screws to secure the frame to the block wall. Then use a polyurethane or outside caulk to make full in gaps between the frame and concrete.^[17]
- If y'all desire the screws to exist affluent to the frame, countersink them so they don't extend past the frame.
- If the gaps are wider than 1/4 in (half dozen mm), install a foam backer rod into the gap. And then seal with the caulking.
11
Caulk around the inside of the frame and install the window. Become help to concord upwardly the new window and heart it in place. And so remove the window and then you tin 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 see if it's supposed to exist nailed in place instead screwed in identify.
12
Remove the temporary wall and allow the window dry for ii to three days. Pull downwards the plastic sheeting yous installed to comprise dust so take downwards the temporary support wall. Leave the new window to set and dry out earlier yous pigment or use the window.^[19]
- It may have longer for your window to set up if your basement is very damp or boiling.
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Add together New Question

Question

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

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

Can I utilise pressboard or interior window sill?

Pressboard (particle board) is an cheap choice for a new windowsill frame.
Question

Nosotros are gear up to install ii basement windows. There is an R/O with wood trim. Do we have to remove the wood R/O earlier we install the windows or do the windows sit in this opening?

No, not if the windows fit. As long as they're in skilful shape, there's no police force confronting re-using them nor keeping them undisturbed. All the same, if they're just blocking empty space or small-scale gaps, I'd remove them and insulate the new window to be air, water and bug-tight.

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

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Ever wear safety equipment such equally a mask and safe goggles.
While you can cut through concrete block walls safely, y'all should rent a professional to cut the window if your basement walls are poured concrete.^[20]

Things You lot'll Need

Cold chisel
Reciprocating saw
Pry bar
Hammer
Replacement window
Galvanized or stainless steel screws
Power drill and spiral driver
Double-threaded concrete screws
Hammer drill
Bucket-type vacuum
Filler for gaps
Shine trowel
Paint brush
Outside-grade primer
Safe glasses, dust mask, and hearing protection

Masking tape
Record measure
half-dozen-mil plastic sheeting
2 x 4 ft (sixty ten 120 cm) lumber for temporary wall
3 in (7.5 cm) deck screws
Hammer drill with long bit
Physical saw with a 12 or fourteen in (30 or 35.five cm) blade
Safety glasses, dust mask, and hearing protection
Brick chisel
4 pounds (1.8 kg) sledgehammer
Level
Caulk gun
Concrete
Concrete trowel
Newspapers
Shims, optional

About This Article

Commodity Summary 10

To install a replacement basement window, remove the frame and sash, so measure the window frame so yous know what size to get. Make clean the window opening to remove any debris before you place the replacement window in the frame. After you spiral the window into the frame, fill in any gaps with mortar, caulk, or spray foam. Then, put the window sash and screen back in and smooth away any mortar or caulk. Read on to acquire how to install an egress window in your basement!

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