In our past articles I talked about most of the steps required to properly change your previous wood sash windows with energy efficient plastic windows. I told you how to measure for the new windows. Then we discussed removing the wood sashes and parting bead. Eventually, I told you how to install, seal, and reduce the plastic replacement win-dows. But, what if those old win-dows in your home are constructed with aluminum instead of wood? Is the method the same? No, it is different at all. Therefore, the following few articles are likely to describe the differences between changing wood windows versus metal windows. In case people need to be taught extra resources on small blue arrow , we know about many resources you should investigate. When discussing the correct body style for changing the wood sash win-dows, I described the-difference between new development frames versus alternative frames. There is still another alternative we've to consider regarding shape model, when replacing metal win-dows. It is called a 'retrofit' framework. Let us look at each frame typ-e. First, we have the brand new construction body with the nailing fin. If you choose to go this route, you've to eliminate the exterior around each window opening, pull out the nails holding the aluminum window to the guys, nail in the new plastic window, implement blinking, caulk, and re-install the exterior around each window.( I get tired just speaking about it! )In addition to being a lot of work, you may run into major problems attempting to install the exterior product around each window opening. If your house has stucco, you have to use and fit the rest of the stucco. It may be done, although not by you. Also many professional stucco people can't get a perfect match. Imagine if you have wood exterior? Well, you can cut-away 2' of the exterior around each window to get to the nail fin, then you can apply 1 X 2 or 1 X 3 trim around each window. Discover supplementary resources about company web site by going to our poetic article. Definitely not the maximum amount of work as the stucco house, but possibly more work than the common homeowner cares to tackle. What if each window is surrounded by brick? Let's not go there! You would need to eliminate the stones, then re-install all of them when done. Trust in me, you don't need to change your old metal windows with new building plastic windows. You need to use either the replacement frame such as the one used to replace the wood sash win-dows, or something called a retrofit frame, that is common in the west where stucco is really a typical exterior. The proper measuring procedure will be discussed by this article, since the procedure for measuring is the same whatever the frame style picked, and future articles will explain the difference in the installation process for alternative versus retrofit. If you look at the portion of the metal frame that encircles the window opening into your surrounding walls, you will see three distinct 'feet' that form two pockets. The exterior leg and the middle leg form the initial pocket. Your screen and stationary panel will-be within this pocket. Inside leg and the middle leg form the second pocket, and your sliding panel is in that pocket. Find the 'leg' that is the broadest o-n all four sides. When measuring the width, run your tape measure from the widest leg on the left to the leg on the right. This would function as the description. Then, take 3/8' from that description. Here is the size of the replacement window. Measure the height the same way. When measuring the level, measure as close to the heart of the window as you can. To get one more viewpoint, you can check-out: Ideas_to_Stick_To_Your_Diet_plan_104698 < Main < pattern . Get supplementary information on our partner use with - Click here: division . That is especially important o-n windows wider than six feet, since the top wood header tends to sag with time, making the center of the opening the narrowest. You do not need to deduct 3/8' in the peak like you did around the thickness. 1/4' is fine. These are-the dimensions you utilize when buying your plastic screen. If you have any image windows( windows with no port screen), there will only be one-pocket and two feet. You still measure the same way. Next week I'll discuss whether your house is a candidate for retrofit structures or replacement frames. David Rocco has been installing replacement win-dows because 1978 To learn more, visit How To Install Windows.