Although it is a job better handled by the pros, you can still replace windows on your own. However, you need to follow certain guidelines to ensure that the whole process goes on smoothly without any issues. This article looks at DIY window replacement, and all the things you need to do to ensure the best possible results.
Before You Replace Your Own Windows
Before making the decision to go ahead and replace your own windows, you need to think about the whole project and conclude that you can comfortably do it. This part of the article looks at a few things you need to consider before replacing your own windows.
- Skills
The first thing you need to do prior to replacing windows on your own is ensure that you have the needed skills to perform the project. The level of expertise needed to replace windows varies depending on the specific project being conducted. The easier the job, the lesser the skills needed. For instance, if your windows are on the ground floor, you will need lesser expertise to replace them than those windows on the first or second floor.
Another factor that affects the expertise required is the kind of windows you are replacing. Installing full-frame windows is quite hard compared to installing insert replacement windows. The latter allows you to keep the existing window trim and frame, but the former requires you to rear out and replace existing windows and frames. One good way to evaluate the level of skills required for the project is to go through the installation instructions.
- Labor
Speaking of skills, another thing you want to pay attention to is the workforce needed to complete the replacement project. Windows are quite delicate and should be handled with care. It therefore makes a lot of sense to get a few people to help you. This can be friends or family members. Having enough manpower will help the project go a lot smoother, leading to better results.
- Time
Depending on the number of windows you are replacing, a window replacement project can take quite some time. You should thus sit down and ask yourself whether you have the required time to do the replacement job by yourself. If you do not, then consider hiring a window replacement company.
- Equipment and Tools
Another important thing to consider prior to doing a window replacement project on your own is the tools needed to do the replacement job. Some of these tools include a caulk gun, safety glasses, tape measure, level, small pry bar, putty knife, hammer, and many more.
Why You Should Hire a Window Replacement Company
Although you might want to do window replacement by yourself, professionals will do a better job for you. Here are some reasons why you should consider hiring a window replacement company.
- It is Less Expensive in the Long Run
Many homeowners do window replacement by themselves to save money. If this is you, then you might be making a wrong choice. The main reason behind this is that the project could actually end up costing you even more in the future. Window replacement requires some level of expertise and the use of the right tools to do the job. If you are not an expert, you might not have the skills or even the equipment to do a good job. You might thus end up doing a bad job that could cause your windows to break or fall, making you to spend more money.
- They Can Help You Save Money on Energy Bills
A window replacement company can also help you save money on expensive energy bills. Doing window replacement by yourself can lead to shoddy results, which can cost you a lot in energy bill costs. Properly installed windows save you a lot of money in energy bills, as they ensure proper air and heat regulation. They also eliminate draughts because they are fitted in the right standards and thus offer positive results in regards to energy saving.
DIY window replacement is great because it provides you with an opportunity to be creative and spend your free time wisely. Before doing window replacement on your own, you need to check and see that you have the needed skills, time, labor, and equipment. If you have all these, then you can replace the windows by yourself. However, if you have never done window replacement by yourself, you might just want to leave the task to the pros. They have the needed expertise to fit windows perfectly, eliminating extra expenses for you in the future that could come about due to wrongly fitted windows.