Replacement windows an excellent investment

Q: Our house was built in 1984 and we have aluminum-clad windows (in an aluminum frame) that need to be replaced. The frames were originally bronze-colored but have become faded and scratched, plus the glass has "fogged" in many of the windows.
Contractors are steering us toward buying replacement windows, saying the aluminum frame can't be removed without considerable damage to the siding and brick (because of the flange that's attached to the original window and nailed in place).
They want to use replacement windows and then wrap the existing aluminum frames with siding. Is it possible to remove the old windows and replace them with new construction windows? We want to have the job right the first time and have a good result. -- Deb Smiley, Mount Sidney, Va.
A: Every window I have installed or replaced has had an exterior nailing flange or wood rail behind the wall's exterior covering. In order to remove the original window's frame, the exterior wall covering must be removed.
If the home has vinyl or wood siding, you simply remove the siding and replace it once the windows have been replaced. If you have to remove aluminum siding, brick or stone to get to the window frame, you may want to consider a replacement window.
Aluminum siding is easily damaged and difficult to color match for replacement. Brick and stone can be reset, but the new mortar joints may not match the original mortar color and the lines will be noticeable for years to come.
When choosing a window you need to consider costs, timing, convenience, looks and energy efficiency. Here are a few pluses and minuses for selecting replacement windows versus installing new windows. I've also thrown in the idea of using storm windows.
Costs: A replacement window will cost less than a new window and will be easier to install. You might consider adding storm windows to your original windows because they are easy to install and are cost-effective. Properly installed and sealed, a storm window will save you energy dollars and costs much less than replacement or new windows and there will be no need to remove exterior wall coverings.
Time: Replacement windows or storm windows can be installed in a day or two. Installing all new windows will take several days if not weeks.
Convenience: There is little to no damage to either the interior or exterior of the home with replacement windows or storm windows. New windows will require removal of some if not all of the home's exterior covering.
Looks: You will always be able to tell that the replacement windows are not original. Storm windows are an addition, and you should consider how they would affect the overall appeal of the home.
Air leakage: Because the original frame is left intact, there are no easy solutions to sealing the nailing flange. Replacement windows are no better at insulating against the weather than a modern wood window.
There is a lot of air leakage around the frames of older aluminum and wood windows because they were simply nailed to the structure but never sealed. When a new window is installed it is now common practice to seal the nailing flange with caulk and/or metallic tape.
The only way you can be sure of air-sealing an older window or a replacement window is to remove the exterior wall covering.

(Dwight Barnett is a certified master inspector with the American Society of Home Inspectors. Write to him with home-improvement questions at C. Dwight Barnett, Evansville Courier & Press, P.O. Box 286, Evansville, Ind. 47702 or e-mail him at d.Barnett(at)insightbb.com.)

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