We just replaced aluminum framed windows in our house with steel siding. We had it done by one of the best window installation firms locally. They had a real problem because they didn't want to remove the siding and just used brute force to beat the old frames from their sockets. I think if it would have been easy, they would have attempted to remove the siding, but they didn't.

My 47 year old house has cement siding that (because I could not find a match to side my addition) I am replacing with vinyl siding. The windows in the house are new 2 years ago by PO, Simonton windows. The outside of the window frames are flush with the wall sheathing. There is no nailing fin/j-trim attached to the window, as there would be on a new construction unit. What I'm looking to do is two things: a) properly flash the windows (window installer did not flash at all; just wrapped 1x with aluminum and caulked to window and siding. One window is leaking now into my livingroom plaster.) My question is, how do I seal the flashing to such a small strip of windowframe? Can I use housewrap as the flashing, and the special tape to seal it to the window? b) come up with some sort of j-trim so my vinyl will look nice tucked into it. I have seen this on other houses, but how is it done? I want about a 3" frame of aluminum around the window, with the vinyl behind. What I'm thinking of doing is bending aluminum channel with 3" on the front and 6" on the back, then flashing over the top of this and caulking to the vinyl windowframe. Is this the proper way? Should I tuck a 1x board into the channel for support? How can I attach the trim to the house close to the windowframe? (can't get back into the 3" channel to nail, of course.) I'm prepared to rent a brake for all my flashing/trim work. Taking the windows completely out is a possibility, if I have to do that to attach the trim or do the flashing properly.

I had full frame vinyl replacements. I have hardi board (fake wood)The installers framed them out The windows did not have fins but are full frame replcements (Took out old window exposing 2/4 framing) with aluminum wrap just had to touch up paint on outside a bit. These were custom. A friend has vinyl siding and the guy she uses for general stuff replaced some of her windows w/pella using stock sizes from Menards, had to get sligtly smaller and built up wood so they would fit frames, look good and much better than the windows she had. She saved a bit using stock sizes but custom would not have been too much more...I think they cut off nail fin but that probably would void some warrenties, but I don't know that.

Thanks to one and all; I appreciate all the ideas. We are going with a retractable screen, which ever door we choose. I really like, and need, the PetScreen option, especially for the screens for the front two casement side windows. Lukkiirish - Can you tell me why your are only "fairly happy" with your retractable screen storm door? I'm hoping for "ecstatically happy!" LOL VicsGirl, You too sweet with your comments on my Little House of Horrors on the Prairie. The gardens are still "in progress, and the right-hand part won't be planted this year. DH just dumped a trailer load of horse stable compost and freshly cut grass all over it. I'm smoothing it out, watering, and letting it settle before putting some of my perennials in this fall. PammyFay, the glass in this door has five (or seven?) different textures and patterns of 'clear' glass. The metal is a dark grey, and the three "tulip blossoms" are the most beautiful, dark red with a wavy, watery texture. If the sections of glass under the tulips had been dark green it would be beyond perfect! The glass is 90-95% opaque, but the sunlight coming through it is so fractured and intense it's nearly impossible to photograph. The window is very sparkly! The siding is steel, and bomb proof. Ugly, but strong. It's too sturdy to consider replacing with something that wouldn't be as tough. We have toyed with the idea of painting it. IF we do paint, or re-side, the house would be a pale sage green, or a rich tan. We picked the roof and door to go with either color if we stay here long enough to change it. DH built the deck when we needed to replace the front steps. He chose everything and especially wanted the floor boards set at the 45-degree angles and the black railings. I wanted it 8' wide. These photos makes the door and red glass look darker than they are, but you get the idea of the glass textures. This particular glass style has been discontinued. Garden in progress, the borders are subject to rearrangement, again, maybe. The raised garden on the south (left) side of the house is 8' wide and 23" long.