Replacing Windows In Chapel Hill?

Shopping for window replacements for the Chapel Hill or Durham area of North Carolina?

Consider this; choosing the right installation method is just as important as the brand/quality of the window you choose. For example, let’s say you want the most indestructible window on the planet!! I would think a window from a submarine would qualify as the best…wouldn’t you?  Take this window and place it inside of your existing wood window frame, AKA pocket replacement, and what do you have? You have 1⁄2 of a window job that will still leak air and will only last as long as the wood frame stays solid.  This does not seem right does it? My point is, why purchase a high quality window and only do half of the window installation?  Take the same window and remove the entire wood window, sash, frame and trim and now when it is installed you have a window that will last for many years without further maintenance required, for a more detailed explanation see replacing double hung windows.

When it comes to replacing windows the right product combined with proper installation does make a difference! When I speak with homeowners about other bids they are receiving, one of the first things I hear is “they are going to cap or wrap my exterior trim and sill!”  This is when a flat coil of aluminum is bent to fit around the trim and sill and placed over existing wood (see Figure A) this window was capped 10 years before the photo.  The next two photos (Figure B & C) show the damage created from trapping moisture inside this capping.  Capping or wrapping of an existing wood window cannot be sealed enough to keep out moisture.

 

window was capped 10 years before the photo

Figure A

Figure B

Figure B

Figure C

Figure C

The next set of photos shows a project where the pocket window replacement method was used leaving the old window frame in place, only 6 years prior.  Notice the fungus growing out between the window and the capping!!!

Figure D

Figure D

The worst problem created from capping is the damage to surrounding structure that cannot be seen until the capping is removed.

Figure E

Figure E

The difference between us and them is, I will never recommend this type of installation for the replacement of existing wood windows in Chapel Hill and the Triangle area of NC.  They have quotas to meet!!  Your best interest is not on their agenda; always specify FULL FRAME replacement…

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