Installation of vinyl replacement windows on the second floor

If you have a two-story home and you’re replacing windows on the first and second floors, there are little tricks you can use to make the top-story job a little safer and easier. If the windows are replacement-style casings, you’re installing them from the inside of the house, so the only thing it’ll do differently than first-story windows is using an extension ladder to caulk the outside. So, let’s talk about making modernized-style windows on the second floor. You can usually remove the old window from inside the house, but if you have a bay window, you should use the extension ladder to remove the stops that hold the glass in place. Then you can go inside the house and cut the glass from the frame with a utility knife. Place a tarp on the ground under the window to catch any pieces of glass that may fall during removal. Also, don’t forget to keep people and animals away from the area under the window.

Once you are ready to install the new window, you can do it from inside the house. Remember, when installing retrofit-style frames, you are installing them from the outside and lifting them into place. Instead, bring the window upstairs. If it’s a slider, remove the screen and slider panel. Then, with the help of a helper, you can angle the window frame across the opening, extending the modified trim all the way out of the opening before pulling the window toward you and installing the window as if it were outside. Have your helper hold the center bar while you drive a screw into the top center to hold the frame in place. You can do the entire installation from the inside. The only time you’ll need to get on the extension ladder is when you’re ready to caulk the exterior. Be sure to put a generous amount of caulk where the top of the frame meets the stucco or exterior material. You don’t want the water to go through the new frame, otherwise it can go through the wall and down the ceiling or walls. You’d be surprised how easily two people can install an 8′ wide by 5′ high sliding window on the second story if you remove the sliding panels and screens. In fact, my helper and I made one that was 10′ wide and 5′ tall. That was the biggest one I did on the second floor. You can apply a bead of caulk to the outside face of the old frame before installing the new frame from inside the room.

Now, if you’re installing a bay window, it’s a bit more difficult. You can’t remove any panels to lighten the load, and it’s harder to grip the frame just as firmly. But, on the plus side, picture windows aren’t usually much larger than 3′ by 5′ on the second story. If you have a large window, or if you have several to install, I have access to suction cups that are used in the glass industry. You can attach them to the glass and use them as handles when you extend the frame out through the opening. Please contact me on my website at How to Install Windows if you would like pricing for the suction cups. You can get the smaller, cheaper models for around $40 each.

So if you’re hesitating to replace your old windows yourself because you didn’t think you could do the windows above, now you know you can. Next week’s topic will be how to replace patio door rollers. If you can hardly get your sliding glass door open anymore, a couple of new rollers can make all the difference in the world.