[Letspring]

Hi – I am a long-time fan, first-time poster. I am buying a 40-yr old ranch house in need of new windows and siding. I’ve been watching YouTube videos about adding insulation to exterior sheathing prior to installing siding and (new construction) windows. I think this is the best approach for me if I’m replacing both siding and windows. The house has 2x4 walls and I’d like to get the benefit of additional insulation (comfort and lower utility bills). The house is east of Washington DC.

The issue is, despite my best efforts, the two contractors I’m working with seem reluctant to install new construction windows. They want to install replacement windows. The failed windows currently in the house are replacement windows. In my younger days, I replaced old windows in a house, and the siding, using new construction windows. I’m less familiar with replacement windows, but from what I can tell, they usually end up smaller than the framed opening was designed to accommodate. And trim is required to finish off the opening on the exterior. I realize there may be some work to do on the inside with new construction windows, but I’ve told the contractors I’d cover that part of it. Should I keep pushing for new construction windows? Wife is determined to hire this job out, but I don't want to spend a lot of money hiring someone to take shortcuts.

I realize this is the windows forum, but I also have questions about the insulation they propose using under the new siding – Low-e housewrap or Profold, both of which provide minimal R value. I was looking at something more substantial, like 1.5-inch Comfortboard by Roxal. I understand I would have to build or buy window bucks to accommodate the insulation thickness when installing new windows. I want to make sure the insulation doesn’t trap moisture to avoid mold issues. Or maybe I should consider insulated siding or forget about the additional insulation? Thanks for any help.

 

[rjniles]

I would stand firm for new construction windows. Instead of a house wrap I would look into Zip-R products. Provides insulation, air and water barrier. Look on YouTube at some of Matt Risinger's videos

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[Letspring]

Thanks, rjniles. Funny you should mention Matt Risinger - my wife and I love his videos! I first learned about Comfortboard on one of his videos. I think I will try my luck with an additional contractor.

 

[ChuckTin]

My 2-bit opinion is (if you can afford to) gut the building down to studs. Repair plumbing and framing as needed (40 yrs old? - you will need to), redo the wiring, up to 200 amp service, AC&heat ditto. Then frame out to 6" walls and apply blown in foam insulation AND then put in new construction windows. Insist. It's your house. If the contractors can't handle that, look elsewhere.

 

[Nealtw]

Do not talk to window replacement contractors

You add a buck around the window the same thickness as the foam board and then do a rainscreen type installation of the windows. New construction with a flange.

 

[Letspring]

Thanks guys (ChuckTin and Nealtw). I like both of your posts. I thought about inspecting the sheathing after removing siding, but removing it and the other steps you recommend take it to the next level. I do agree with this approach - I need to find out if I can afford to do that. And, the reason they're pushing replacement windows is clearer to me now, Nealtw. They seem like credible folks, but they probably do not install many new construction windows.

 

[Nealtw]

Thanks guys (ChuckTin and Nealtw). I like both of your posts. I thought about inspecting the sheathing after removing siding, but removing it and the other steps you recommend take it to the next level. I do agree with this approach - I need to find out if I can afford to do that. And, the reason they're pushing replacement windows is clearer to me now, Nealtw. They seem like credible folks, but they probably do not install many new construction windows.

They seldom get their work inspected and don't know code or best practice so some give the rest a bad name. But just the fact they were suggesting replacement over new is a red flag. I would trust siding guys more and of coarse after discussing about what they do with windows.

 

[Mystriss]

Before you start following all of Risinger's lovely work and advice, where do ya live? Almost all his stuff is hot climate stuff, though he does mention that kinda often, it's not every episode. Stuff like if walls need to vent to the inside or outside matters a lot depending on yer climate [ Sadly for me, I really like his modern build techniques and all the science he puts into em, but like I can't do them here in Alaska cause of the cold and the earthquakes :/ ]

Zip's good everywhere though and I def want to do that to my place. Also the exterior rigid insulation (actually I want to do the exterior wall treatment Risinger's doing on his personal home right now. Zip + 2" R10 rigid on a base ledger and outtie windows. We'd put in our new windows prior to exterior insulation being a thing, but they're flanged "new construction" type so I'm hoping we can remove and reinstall with the exterior insulation "outtie" framing.

Also, yeah folks get into the way they learned to do it and don't want to try new stuff, regardless of the science and engineering that went into it. They don't trust it, they don't want to "try it out" on clients homes because they don't want the liability of having to replacing it if it fails. Up here you have to work hard to find anyone that does some of the new stuff too. I can't even find a plumber that are wanting to use PEX at all heh That all said, there is some comfort to be found in a contractor type doesn't want to mess around.

 

[Bud9051]

Hi Letspring and welcome to the forum. I have most of my house covered with 3.5" of rigid, 1/2" sheathing, house wrap, then new vinyl siding. All new construction windows with wide trim j-channel. I placed a ledger at the bottom and placed 2 layers of rigid (1.5" should be fine for your climate) 1.5" and 2". The areas I haven't finished have other projects going there as well.

But the results have been great. Caution, I did my own work but could never have justified letting a contractor do what i did, cost would have been excessive. Your budget is different than mine but get those estimates from a contractor that understands what you want.

What siding do you have and what do you want to install?

Bud

 

[Letspring]

Bud, there's aluminum siding on the house now. Most of it is not in bad shape except one piece near the heat pump. I'm sure it could use a good cleaning. The house had a sunroom added and they put vinyl siding on it, so there's a mismatch there. Not a big deal in the scheme of things. I'm thinking about using vinyl. The house needs quite a lot of work and I need to get these windows replaced before next winter, so I don't think I want to splurge for cement board. I considered removing the existing aluminum siding and reinstalling it after installing foam and new windows, but that may be more work than it's worth.

A friend gave me the name of a friend who does windows and siding in the area where we're moving (Annapolis MD). I'm hoping he'll be receptive to my ideas, or maybe he'll have a better idea. I've done this type work before and I'm tempted to do it myself again, but my wife refuses to allow that since I'm much older now.

I am sensitive to allowing the house to breathe, as Mystriss points out. I like that Matt Risinger also shows some projects in northern climates, like Canada. I've looked at various types of foam insulation and their permeability.

I read where a well insulated attic provides the biggest payback, whereas only about one-third of energy is lost through the walls of a house. This forum is a real asset in terms of getting other opinions on how to approach this 'problem'. I sure do appreciate your opinions. We plan to move into the house second week of May. I plan to talk to my friend's friend then and will keep you all posted. Feel free to chime in if you think of anything else along the way.

 

[ChuckTin]

When we had our attic done (east central Florida then) the biggest payback was the quiet!
I think most house do not have enough wall insulation (none that I've lived in, 5) and generally they leak like sieves.
Re-moding can be fun but is not cheap. You've got to look hard at the place. Is it a good investment? Then do a rigid budget. The DIY shows flat lie.

 

[Letspring]

Since all three contractors I've spoken with are hesitant to install new construction windows, I'm thinking about tackling the job myself. A friend suggested I cut existing siding near the windows and install exterior trim after installing the new windows until I re-side. That idea got me thinking about replacing the windows myself.

I installed about 12 new construction Andersen Narrowline windows about 30 years ago when we updated our first house. Doesn't mean I did it properly, but I did it. Wife & I are looking at Marvin Essentials fiberglass windows online. We plan to visit a dealer (lumber yard) soon to look at them and get prices. I'm wondering if they'll sell them to me (Harry Homeowner), and will Marvin warranty them since i'm not a 'professional'. I'd have to decide whether I wanted to add exterior foam and plan for that as well.

Appreciate any thoughts on this idea. Not sure what quality windows I could buy as a non-contractor.

 

[Bud9051]

The internet videos and forum support like here are far above what was available 30 years ago. If you figured it out back then today will be a lot easier.

Bud

 

[Letspring]

Thanks, Bud9051. I, too, think I could do it. I just need to convince my wife!

 

[F250]

... I'm thinking about tackling the job myself....

...I'm wondering if they'll sell them to me (Harry Homeowner), and will Marvin warranty them since i'm not a 'professional'.

...Not sure what quality windows I could buy as a non-contractor.

Do your research for the best practices on new window installation details/techniques, particularly those techniques recommended by your window manufacturer. Then do your own install with those techniques being followed carefully. Take numerous pictures of the installation method as you install the windows so you can document how it was done. With that level of detail in hand, a responsible supplier would be hard pressed to argue "improper installation" as an excuse for not honoring a warranty. However, verify with the window manufacturer that they would honor your taking such an approach, and get their agreement in writing.


Having said the above, you should be able to buy just about any quality window you want.

 

[Letspring]

Thanks, F250. I downloaded some installation instructions for the windows we're considering.

 

[F250]

If the manufacturer is OK with the approach I recommended, I would make darn sure to capture every detail of the process on camera... all the way down to how much gap you have around the frames, how much overhang with the flanges, exactly which products are used for each portion of sealing, nail/screw length & placement position, every single layer of weather-sealing process, sequence of when each layer is installed, etc.

Then again, I'm particularly anal about those kinds of details to start with, and I typically take the approach of making sure I can overwhelm a challenger with evidence to support my decisions and techniques.

 

[Mystriss]

Low-E all the way. We replaced all our widows as the first major project on the house that we did ourselves. Massive savings/comfort upgrade. The original windows were all non-standard size so we had to re-frame the openings on everything. We also replaced a sliding glass door in the master bedroom with a window.

We did learn that drywall finishing isn't our strong suit But it's all air tight and our heating bill's far more than half what it was the first year we moved in.