By Frank Giuseppini
Do you like the idea of having new affordable and energy efficient vinyl replacement windows and patio doors but aren’t sure what is involved in the installation process?
With us at Jantek Windows being the only vinyl replacement window and patio door manufacturer with employee based installation experience (more than 500,000 vinyl replacement windows and patio doors installed over the last 25 years), we’re kind of experts in our field. Over the years we’ve heard every installation question under the sun.
If you have concerns about how vinyl replacement window and patio door installations are done, keep reading because we’re answering the most commonly asked vinyl replacement window installation questions to help you decide if vinyl replacement windows and patio doors are a good choice for your home or business.
Vinyl Replacement Windows and Patio Door Installation FAQ’s
How long will it take to install my windows?
An experienced and well trained installation crew, like Jantek Windows employee vinyl replacement window and patio door installation crews, should be able to install around 10 windows in a workday. Of course this number could be significantly lower or higher based on the experience of the vinyl replacement window contractor and the specific nature of your job with regard to the accessibility of the window openings, the condition of the rough openings (eg. wood rot, square, etc.) and the type of window or patio door being installed. Also, if your house was built prior to 1978 and the lead test on the existing window area is positive, the installers must use EPA renovate right work practices which will slow down the work by about 20% time.
I don’t want to replace all my windows, what’s the minimum you will do?
You don’t have to do your entire job at one time, although there are good reasons to do so. If an experienced installation crew can do about 10 windows a day, then a job with about 10 windows makes the most sense from the contractor’s job cost (and thus your price) efficiency standpoint. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t do less windows… Jantek does provide Free TeleEstimate/Virtual Estimate< for turnkey installation two or more vinyl replacement windows.
Isn’t it better to wait for warmer weather to install my Vinyl replacement windows to avoid heat loss and discomfort?
The short answer is…No.
The long answer is that an experienced and well trained installation crew, like Jantek Windows employee vinyl replacement window and patio door installation crews, ensures that no window opening is open for more that about 10 – 15 minutes during the installation process so there is not much opportunity for the temperature in your house to be affected, be it the heater or the air conditioner. Before the old window is removed Jantek’s employee window installers check the opening for size and compare that to the replacement size to ensure that there are no issues (we like to call this “measure twice cut once!”). They will stage the vinyl replacement window or patio door near to the opening prior to removing the old one. Once the old window or door is removed the vinyl replacement window or patio door is immediately inserted into the opening and secured. This is repeated for all of the openings. When all the vinyl replacement windows and patio doors are set in their openings, the crew will trim and seal the interior and exterior of all the openings per the job requirements.
Will you have to alter my current window openings to fit the replacement windows?
At Jantek Windows we design manufacture and install only custom sized vinyl replacement windows and patio doors to within 1/8” inch of your existing window openings so there is never a need to alter your existing opening. If you purchase from a company or contractor that uses stock size vinyl replacement windows or patio doors the installation crew may need to alter the size of your opening, either smaller or larger to make them fit correctly and avoid leaks or operational issues. In the case of stock sized vinyl replacement windows and patio doors, depending on the extent of the alterations, certain municipalities may require permits.
What exactly is included in the price and what should I expect on the day of installation?
A turnkey vinyl replacement window and patio door installation package from Jantek Windows includes all of the following:
- Measure and customize the design of all or your vinyl replacement windows and patio doors to within 1/8” of your current window opening.
- Lead test if for residential buildings built pre 1978·
- Manufacture your custom vinyl replacement windows and patio doors in our Medford New Jersey Factory.
- The vinyl replacement windows and patio doors are delivered on the day of start of your installation.
- On the day of installation a Jantek employee installation crew (not a subcontractor) will:
o Use US-EPA Lead Safe installation process if Lead is present without additional charge to you.
o Remove your existing windows and patio doors
o Remove and Replace shutters if present
o Inspect and remediate any wood rot issues in the opening
o Secure the new vinyl replacement windows and patio doors into the existing opening.
o Install pvc coated exterior capping over trim
o Seal exterior to siding or masonary with exterior silicone caulk
o Finish trim and use paintable latex caulk to window interior
o Clean up and vacuum interior leave it dust and debris free
o Clean up all exterior debris
o Remove all old windows and doors and debris from property.
o Perform a written 26 point job inspection upon completion of work.
o Review the Jantek Windows warranty and the Jantek Windows Parts and Service process with the customer.
o Execute the Certificate of Completion with the customer prior to collection of any balance due on the job.
Read about Jantek Windows manuracturer’s installation instructions
My house was built before 1978, does that mean you have to test for lead paint?
The United States Environmental Protection Agency under 40 CFR Part 745 Subpart E requires that any contractor installing windows into homes built prior to 1978 must be certified and licensed by the EPA to do so. Prior to installing vinyl replacement windows into any property built before 1978, Jantek Windows will preform a simple test on the current windows and openings for the presence of lead paint. Jantek will do this at no additional charge. If lead paint is found, then we will conduct the installation of the Vinyl Replacement windows in accordance with the specific EPA guidelines for performing such work, again, at no charge to you, in order to protect your and our employees health. It does add a bit of time to the installation but it’s the law… and it’s the right thing to do!
Read about US-EPA Lead Safe Work Practices
Will I be able to re-use my window coverings after the replacement windows are installed?
In most cases yes, however that depends on three things. First of all the type of window coverings. Secondly, the depth of the structural window opening or “pocket” as measured from the interior wall to the exterior stops. Third, the depth (thickness) of the vinyl replacement window’s master frame.
A good quality vinyl replacement window should have a masterframe depth/thickness of 3 ¼ inches as part of the design for structural integrity. The vinyl replacement window master frame may be thicker than that of your old window, especially if you have metal windows or old vinyl new construction windows. In that case you will experience some “loss of sill,” that is, the space between the master frame of the replacement vinyl window and the interior wall will be narrower after the installation of the vinyl replacement window.
If your window coverings are anchored on the wall surface outside of the window pocket, then there will most likely be no issue with re-using them. If your current window coverings are installed in the interior of the window pocket adjacent to the window frame you may still be able to re-use them unless the pocket depth remaining after the replacement vinyl window is installed is too narrow to anchor the original hardware. This can be the case with wide profile window treatments that are typically anchored inside the window pocket such as internal shutters or very wide panel blinds.
Will my replacement window installation require a permit and inspection?
It is rare that a permit will be required by any state or local authority when the job is for direct replacement of windows and patio doors without structural modification of an existing window or patio door opening.
If the project includes creating a new opening, or enlarging or shrinking an existing opening, then your job will require permits. In the case of a commercial building or an apartment complex, or in the event that a building is in an historic district, there may be a requirement for a permit. We at Jantek Windows specialize specifically in direct replacement projects and most of our jobs do not require permits.
Didn’t find what you were looking for? Here are some useful vinyl replacement window and patio door articles to check out next:
The Ultimate Replacement Window Contractor Vetting Checklist
The Cost of Replacement Windows and Patio Doors
At Jantek Windows, we design, manufacture and install world class vinyl replacement windows and patio doors for customers across New Jersey and Southeastern Pennsylvania. If you’d like to explore your vinyl replacement window and patio door options, you can browse our product models and explore our gallery and YouTube channel, or request custom pricing and information using the button below.
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