New Window Install - Need Help

bwilliams

Groundwork
I am working on a house that is 70+ years old, It has barnboard covered over by aluminum siding. I have done many things including replacement window but this is new for me. We are renovating the kitchen and removing a vertical length window (standard size back then) and replacing it with a wider, shorter window placed above the kitchen sink. I would like to get a detailed list of things to do (in order) or a good video on how to do it.
Here is what I think has to be done, someone correct me if I'm wrong.
1) Remove aluminum to the top of the window
2)Obtain 48" wide 36" tall new construction window with nailing flange
3)Prepare framework for rough opening 49" X 37"
4)Install seal around perimeter of window
5)Caulk around the window flange and set in place on top of shims
6)Level the window and fasten to the barnboard
7)Foam insulation around the inside to rough opening
8)Install seal around perimeter of flange putting the top piece on last
9)Reinstall aluminum siding cutting to fit right into window frame.
10)Caulk around the window frame to siding

If anyone can help, post pics, video, whatever, it would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you in advance (from Ontario)

joecaption

Trying to work around that old aluminum siding is going to be a real pain.
It's next to impossible to remove at least the first piece without damaging it.
The sidings all going to have to come off to below the window, not just above it.
There's no way to install a nailing fin window and seal it without getting everything out of the way.
I hope you have a source of supply for some new siding to replace the ones that come out to short or get damaged.

bwilliams

I have some aluminum coming. More importantly, are my steps right? Has anybody seen a video on this and if so, where did you see it?

Tom Struble

have any pics of the area? is there any paper under the aluminum? be nice to get a building paper under it if your peeling back enough aluminum so you can put your sill flashing on to it

extend it down to the next full course of siding and cut it so it just covers the nailing flange then lock in your new siding as usual

doing this will give a pathway for water to exit via the weep holes

Tom Struble

oh and remove the siding from the top down,not from the bottom up as your post implies

bwilliams

Once I have the window installed, how do I go about putting the siding back up to the window. Do I need to use J-moulding or does it go right up to the side of the window. It looks as though there is a channel for the siding to fit into.

Tom Struble

do you mean the new window has a j pocket? if so flash it according to manufacturers instructions the side right into it [as long as it's wide enough]keep the ends of the siding about 1/8'' away for expansion

bwilliams

Hey Tom, thanks for the info. I think I have it down, just waiting for the aluminum to show up so I can get going at it. Not looking forward to removing all the aluminum. I read somewhere there is a tool that allows you to remove the aluminum from the bottom up. This would be more difficult I'm presuming?

Tom Struble

you can't remove/replace aluminum siding from the bottom up

framer52

Tom, I disagree. I have repaired many a siding job by removing from the bottom up.

I find a joint and pull the siding down enough to get it started to unlock and then keep gently pulling down, the rest will become unlocked.

Sounds harder that it really is.

bwilliams

I've seen a tool at Home Depot and also on YouTube that allows you to push up on the siding and unlock it from the next piece. Is it hard to put them back in place when you reassemble?

joecaption

Should only take about 5 min. once you figure out how to do it.
It's called a zipper tool.
It does not push the siding up, it hooks onto the lap lock and pulls it down so it can be unlocked.

To put it back in place you pull down on the lock enough to get it started then using the palm of your hand you can push down on the panel and work your way along without the tool.

I can never find where I left the zipper so I just use my flat bar to unlock the siding.

kwikfishron

I sure haven’t had much luck with R&R aluminum in the middle of the wall (damage free).

What do you do if there’s no lap to grab onto?

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Tom Struble

i haven't had much luck either

i should have said unhook the next full course above the window and work the removal down

and then work the panel install back up

bwilliams

When you reinstall from the top down, is it easy to access to get the nails back in or does it bend the aluminum and distort it?