Four Seasons Industries, Inc. a contractor in NJ and Pa has adopted an approach to window replacement that stresses the ‘gutting’ of old window frames. Robert Wewer, VP, NJ Operations says, “The consistent complaint of the window replacement industry has been the cold outer perimeter, even with what is considered good installation.”
The company contends that the best approach to a complete window replacement is to consider the entire external envelope. “The increase in house-wraps and underlayments on sidewalls and the tighter seals at the rough openings of the home is really a compensatory measure aimed at making up for wall systems that are inadequate. Especially with Vinyl Siding, and the use of porous Masonry Stucco and Brick devoid of proper watershed flashings and properties, leaves the industry to develop better underlayments to compensate for these inadequacies. Brick Veneer is often installed without proper integral flashings. Stucco has been a nightmare with its leaking issues. These sidewall applications along with the admission of the Vinyl Siding Institute that the industry standard is to accept and expect the plastic wall covering systems to leak, underlayment has been seen as the answer. These loose installation also leak in air from the outside,” according to Wewer.
The experience of the company has been that the construction industry has produced homes that have windows installed into rough openings that are inadequately insulated. A rough opening is usually one inch larger than the window units. These openings are usually inadequately insulated and easily accessible during a siding installation. “The window replacement industry focuses largely on removing old window sashes and popping in new windows into old window frames. The result is a poor performance of the opening at the perimeter. A new window installed in this manner will actually emphasize the inadequate perimeter insulation. It will be cold around the window in the winter,” according to Wewer.
The best window installation includes ‘gutting’ the old window frames. “Exterior weather-barriers and house-wraps should not be used in the place of good mechanical practices,” as stated by Wewer. Asked about his favorite window, Mr. Wewer states, “I am really partial to the Trimline custom made windows. They are made to fit, rather than changing an existing opening to fit a window, these are top-of-the line wood framed units made to fit and the price is reasonable.”
The company website is loaded with information about this and many other topics surrounding the home improvement industry.
