skip to main content

New windows for an old (structural) masonry house?

14 years ago

Hello,

We have a 1956 ranch house. It's built of cement block shaped and colored to look like brick. It's structural: walls are about 9" thick.

We need to replace three windows. One is simply glass block mortared in place. Two are cheap vinyl replacement windows set into the old wood frames.

From tearing out some other windows, we know how the original frames were installed: they were added as the masonry walls were built, so the nail heads are stuck IN the brick wall, and the nail points stick into the wood frames. REmoving those frames required tearing the frames out and cutting off the nails that were left sticking out of the masonry openings.

We'd like to replace these windows with double-hungs. We'd also like to maximize the glass area, so using new construction windows sounds better. Would we simply shim these in the masonry rough opening and fasten with Tapcon or similar... and caulk the gap or cover with small wood trim on the outside?

One problem is that two of the windows flank the front door and should be symmetrical.... but the ROs are slightly different: off by an inch or two. Looks we'd need to frame out the larger opening in order to have matching-sized windows. Would we need to use PT lumber for framing that out? If that one has to have a frame, would it look better if the other one did as well, albeit a smaller frame, with like-sized windows?

Any other advice for this difficult scenario?

Would photos help?

(Interior retrimming is a non-issue as it's all gutted anyway!)

Finally, what is the most cost effective place to get windows for this project? I priced Andersons, which is the look/quality we want, but we can't get custom sizes there.

Thanks for your input!

STacey

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (2)

mjdiste
14 years ago
Good morning Stacy. The situation you have is pretty common within our industry. I own a business in western PA that has been distributing and installing windows and doors for residential and commercial projects for 74 years. Based upon your comments I would suggest that you go with Eagle or Marvin windows for this project. They both are very similar. Extruded aluminum exteriors and wood interiors. Eagle offers more options and is typically less costly. That said, eagle would be my first choice. Secondly, I would add masonry to your openings to correct the difference in symmetry, in lieu of wood of any type. Wood trim inside is ok.

The installation method we would use is a Tapcon type fastener. We would take the window apart during installation so as to hide all of the fasteners. This is a simple and typical process in this type of installation. Furthermore, I would recommend buying the sealant from a glass company for the exterior. You should also ask for a non gassing backer rod to support the sealant. From the existing masonry to the window frame should be a 1/4' gap. We would fill the gap with fiberglass insulation being careful in the installation not to distort the jamb inward. We shy away from any spray in foam insulation. It's messy and can create problems. Then we would apply the backer rod at a 1/4' depth. You would than have a 1/4' deep and a 1/4' wide void. This is the ideal scenario for sealants. Expect to pay about $7.00 to 10.00 per tube for a good urethane or structural silicone sealant. These types are not available to the public in home centers. I hope this helps you.

Here is a link that might be useful: Eagle
awsdan
14 years ago
Rather than disassemble the window to find a place to hide your tapcon anchors............ask about masonary clips that provide an inward flange of sorts so you don't need to go thru the windows frame. All wood window companies like Eagle or Marvin have these available.

I have installed many windows by hiding screws behind the jamb liners, but since the inside is gutted there is no problem hiding your fasteners that attach a clip to the wall.
Related Discussions
Insulating an Old Masonry/Stone Faced House
Q
Comments (3)
Insulation costs increase as the R-value per inch goes up. How much interior space are you willing to give up? You can get ~R-11 in 3.5 inches with plain old fiberglass. Switch to some of the foam boards and you can go over R-21. Spray on foam both has high R value and stops infiltration losses (a huge factor in older construction). In areas subject to freezing a vapor barrier can prevent moisture from inside the house from moving into the masonry and freezing. While freezing may not have been a problem with little insulation since the masonry stayed above freezing from heat loss, insulating can move the 32 F point inward and allow moisture from the house to freeze in the masonry. Spalling then becomes a problem as the moisture expands and damages the masonry.
...See More
Old house -new windows
Q
Comments (5)
What is the projection on the new windows? Did you order them with the correct extension jamb widths? The windows should be set to the outside and relatively flush with the stucco. Cut in for a drip cap and then seal the windows to the stucco via sealant and trim. Need more pictures.
...See More
Changing Window Opening In Masonry Home
Q
Comments (9)
I have a solid masonry house and am considering replacing the old rope/weight wood windows. Inserts seem to loose way too much glass and change the ratios that make the house look original. But isn't this also a problem when using a buckframe for full frame tear outs? What exactly is the problem with just using masonry clips and anchors directly to the masonry. I agree that Tapcon screws into porous block to secure the masonry clips would be problematic. But there are other anchors specific for concrete block- sleeve anchors or the screws using the plastic or lead surrounds. Brickeye, I noticed comments on this forum from you from 2007 basically saying that buckframes in solid masonry for new full frame windows just serve to lose glass and increase installation costs and hassle. It almost seems like a boondogle for installers considering all the flashing and molding that buckframes require. Have you changed your mind?
...See More
I need some new storm windows for my old house.
Q
Comments (2)
Great company. Fine product. The best in the business. Michael
...See More

Related Stories

HOMES AROUND THE WORLD Houzz Tour: Light Shines on a Centuries-Old London Home

Old meets new in this striking family home, where 19th-century features combine with dramatic windows and inspired details

ARCHITECTURE Houses Exposed: Show Your Structure for Great Design

By Spry Architecture

Why take part in the typical cover-up when your home’s bones can be beautiful?

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tour: A Half-Demolished Structure Becomes a Fresh, Modern Home

By Jessica Dupuy

This 1970s Sydney house became an industrial-meets-modern home at the hands of a husband-and-wife design team

HOMES AROUND THE WORLD Houzz Tour: Luxe Materials and Glass Give an Old House New Life

An unloved Victorian is brought into the 21st century with clever reconfiguring, a pale palette and lots of light

RUSTIC STYLE Old Southern Highlands Style for a New North Carolina Retreat

Antique woods add a sense of history to a gracious part-time home in the Blue Ridge Mountains

REMODELING GUIDES The Hidden Problems in Old Houses

By Matt Clawson

Before snatching up an old home, get to know what you’re in for by understanding the potential horrors that lurk below the surface

BATHROOM MAKEOVERS 21st-Century Amenities for an Old-Time Show House Bath

By Lawrence Karol

Updated but appropriate features help an old-fashioned bath in the 2014 DC Design House align with modern tastes

ECLECTIC HOMES Houzz Tour: A New House With a Grand Old Face

By Natalie Wain

This Surrey, England, house looks for all the world like its late-Georgian neighbors, but it’s secretly newer. Much newer

MODERN ARCHITECTURE Saving Facades: Modern Gems Merge Old and New

By Spry Architecture

Restored exteriors full of character wrap light-filled interiors designed for modern life

BASEMENTS Room of the Day: Swank Basement Redo for a 100-Year-Old Row House

By Annie Thornton

A downtown Knoxville basement goes from low-ceilinged cave to welcoming guest retreat

Sponsored

J.Holderby - Renovations

4 Reviews

Franklin County's Leading General Contractors - 2X Best of Houzz!

More Discussions

Marvin Windows Cracks/Flaking Warranty no Help

21

window treatments

5

Andersen 200 series exterior sills separating

0

Milgard Ultra C650 vs Marvin Infinity

4

Vitex windows replacement

2