How to Replace Broken Awning Windows
Awning windows are a type of casement window. Unlike traditional casement windows that are hinged on the sides, awning windows swing open from the top, allowing you to open the window while it is raining. Replacing an awning window is relatively straight-forward but requires a number of steps to prepare for the removal of the old window. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Putty knife
- Pry bar
- Hammer
- Level
- Box cutter or knife
- Measuring tape
- Square
- Shims
- Galvanized roofing nails
- Finishing nails
- Water seal membrane
- Caulking gun
- Caulk
- Replacement shingles or siding
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Instructions
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Removing the Window
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Begin work from the inside. Close the window and lock it shut if possible.
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Carefully separate the window casing around the top, bottom and sides of the window using a hammer to gently tap a putty knife under the trim. Use the pry bar to pull the casing free. Set this casing material aside to reuse it once you replace the window.
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Remove the jamb around the window using the pry bar. The window jamb fills the opening around the window, between the casing and the window unit. Again, you can reuse this material around the new window.
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Moving to the outside of the building, remove any shingles or siding from around the window opening. Begin removing shingles or siding from the top and work your way down to prevent damage to the material that will remain in place.
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Use the hammer to remove the nails in the window flange. Start at the bottom and work your way around the window to the top. Remove the top-center nail last to prevent the window from falling out before you've finished removing the remaining nails.
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Lift the window free of the opening.
Preparing the Opening
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From the outside, ensure the window opening is level. If it is not, use shims to adjust the locations in the opening that are low.
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Cut a length of water seal membrane longer than the width of the window opening. Place this length below the opening and press it firmly in place.
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Cut a second strip, also longer than the width of the window, and place it along the bottom of the opening. It should hang over the outside edge and overlap the first strip when folded down and pressed into place. Press the edges against the sides of the opening. Do not cut the membrane to fit inside the opening, overlapping the membrane layers prevents water from penetrating the corners.
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Cut two more lengths of membrane, one for each side of the opening. Ensure the membrane is longer than the height of the opening. Place the membrane along the side of the opening, against the outside of the building, and press into place.
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Place a last length of membrane above the opening against the outside of the building.
Installing the New Window
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Lift the new window into the opening and tack it in place by driving a galvanized roofing nail into the top-center hole in the flange.
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Using the level, check that the window is level and use the tape measure to ensure the window is centered in the opening.
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Starting at the top corners of the window, drive galvanized roofing nails into the holes in the flange, working toward the center of the flange.
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Use the measuring tape or square to ensure the window is square. If you don't have a square, use the measuring tape to check the lengths of the diagonals of the window. If the lengths are the same, your window is square and plumb.
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Secure the remaining sides of the flange with galvanized roofing nails.
Finish Work Outside
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Cut a length of water seal membrane longer than the width of the window. Place the membrane below the window, overlapping the flange, and press firmly into place.
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Place the water seal membrane over the flange along each side of the window, ensuring the length of the membrane exceeds the height of the window.
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Place a length of water seal membrane over the top flange of the window and press firmly into place.
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Replace the shingles or siding around the outside of the window.
Finish Work Inside
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Return to the inside of the building. Install a bead of caulk between the window opening and the new window.
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Insert the window jamb into the opening. Hold the bottom of the jamb tight against the window and drive finishing nails to hold it in place.
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The sides of the jamb will not fit flush against the opening. Use shims to fill the space before driving the finishing nails. Cut off the excess, flush with the edge of the jamb.
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Install the window casing around the window, securing it in place with finishing nails.
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Tips & Warnings
Before purchasing a new window, carefully measure the size of the glass pane in the old window to ensure the new window is the right size.
Reusing the old jamb and casing will greatly reduce the amount of work required to finish the window installation.
When installing the water seal membrane, always work from the bottom up to ensure the membrane overlaps from the top down. This prevents water from seeping into a seam and becoming trapped behind the seal.
If the glass pane of your awning window is broken or cracked, remove or secure the broken glass before removing the rest of the window.
References
- Photo Credit a little fresh air image by Cathy Kovarik from Fotolia.com
