replacement windows - full frame or insert?

6 years ago

Can anyone tell me pros and cons with a full frame replacement versus inserts?

I REALLY like the look of full frame replacement versus the fins and loss of glass with inserts. We have installers coming for quotes starting tomorrow.

We are in Chandler Arizona, current windows are original to the house - 30 plus years old. Stucco home no trim around windows inside or out.

Thanks Much

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Comments (5)

PRO
toddinmn
6 years ago
You will have replace stucco or cut it out and add new trim to get the benefit of a new construction window and would have to add trim or do drywall repairs which will drive up cost.

Inserting a window inside the frame will be cheaper and keep everything mostly intact.
PRO
Windows on Washington Ltd
6 years ago
+1. With stucco you have two installation option in my book.

1 - Stucco frame jump

2 - Stucco cut back and nailing flange/new construction installation
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Full Frame vs Insert
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Comments (2)
No problem about the questions. Unfortunately, the time to do a full tear out and full frame (new construction) replacement was when you were doing the siding. I know that is Monday morning quarterbacking in this case but that is the reality of the situation. How does the company propose to seal the full frame window and tie it back into the WRB (Weather Resistant Barrier) layer in a full tear out application? The only proper way to do it in my opinion is by removing the siding and pulling in a nailing flange window. If the window is not leaking at the window frame to wall framing connection, you might be best suited to leave that connection intact and go with an insert application. The installer can drill holes in the window frame (old) jamb sides and inject foam to try and seal up the opening around the window. Even perfectly sealed in that case, it will not address the air leakage in the wall in general (from areas other than the window connection) and where it will come out (most often around the trim as you are feeling now).
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Window Replacement - Full Tear-Out or Insert?
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A full frame tear-out can be rather tricky to install a new, finned window and get proper flashing detail when in a brick opening. Often times those are installed with no fin anyway. That being the case, the biggest factor IMO will be your tolerance for the amount of glass lost, and your plans for the interior woodwork. If you are retaining it and don't care too much about the small amount of glass loss, go for the inserts. If you are replacing all of the trim anyway, the you may as well do tear-outs.
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Comments (4)
Do you have any pictures? Both methods are options on nearly every project, it is more of an issue of the law of diminishing returns. IE: If you are replacing a substantial amount of wood (and incurring that expense) on the majority of windows, you may as well go to the full frame removal at that point. I few pieces of bad wood to be replaced on the other hand is not a huge deal.
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best way to get water tight seal around full frame window replacement
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Comments (2)
Find the manufacturer's installation directions for whatever the replacement window will be. Here's Andersen's: https://images.homedepot-static.com/catalog/pdfImages/27/273888e4-efab-4463-a51f-20b85cb44957.pdf best way to get water tight seal?? Remove the siding so the window can be properly flashed. $1400 more now but a fraction of what it will cost to replace it (again) later. When this rotted window comes out, be sure you're there to see it and get the forensics of why the installation failed. I'm betting that knowing that will make you feel a lot better about the addt'l expense for removing some siding. Oh, and the upside is that you have cedar so trying to match new siding to old siding shouldn't be a problem.
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PRO
East Bay 10
6 years ago
Assume your 30 year old home has original aluminum windows. The best and cleanest (from an aesthetic view) will be full replacement but your labor costs will be much higher especially with the stucco patch. If you are going to stay in the home for 10+ years and can afford the additional cost, I would choose full replacement.
PRO
toddinmn
6 years ago
Keep in mind it can be difficult to get match in pattern and more so in color. Patchwork is hard to blend in due to fading of the original stucco, you may not be happy unless you do a resdash. They should be able to cut the stucco for new trim with no patch work if they are good. Doing it this way can make if difficult to tie in the the old water barrier/tar paper to the new flashing especially with narrow trim or if they cut the tar paper removing the stucco.
harry_wild
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
I have a stucco home and used Marvin Ultimate Casement Windows. The installers I used are home builders with over 25 years experience and they measured the original windows about three times and order the windows including the brickmolding attached from the factory. They took the original windows out and inserted the new windows in with no harm to the stucco. They also before hand; scored the internal wood trim and remove the trim very carefully to be re-used after the new windows were installed. Worked out perfectly on all windows. I was amazed. Only very minor touch up on the internal trim needed for the 14 windows. Everything was original trim installed back! The installers were a huge premium in labor cost but well worth the cost since no repairs were called for afterwards to the home itself. Nice and clean - surgically removed and put back.

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replacement windows - full frame or insert?

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toddinmn

Windows on Washington Ltd

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toddinmn

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