You’ve decided to take the plunge and replace your home windows- good choice. Window replacement is the perfect solution when you want to reduce a high-energy bill, increase your home value, or update your home aesthetics. So, once you’ve decided you want new windows, what do you do now?
After you’ve chosen your windows and hired a professional to replace the windows, you will need to prepare your home for the renovations. Use these tips to make sure you’ve prepared for installation day.
Scheduling the Installer
Most window companies have an initial appointment and a replacement appointment. The initial appointment usually takes an hour and gives the installer a chance to take measurements. The replacement appointment will take longer. Talk with your contractor about an estimated project completion date. Typically, the company will need at least three weeks to order the products and a day to install the windows.
When you schedule your installation appointment, choose a time when your family won’t need access to the room or rooms that will get replacement windows. Talk with your window company about what order of rooms or windows they plan to renovate first and last. If possible, keep children and pets away from the renovation areas. Although window installers work with distractions daily, minimizing them will help improve efficiency and safety.
Consider taking your family out to lunch or a movie so the installer can work in peace. If you do plan to take your family out, make sure at least one person can welcome the installer and show him or her which windows you plan to replace.
Clearing the Area
Your installer will need comfortable access to the window areas and rooms. He or she will have to carry new windows in and old windows out of your home. So clear objects that may disrupt this process. These items may include couches, chairs, or tables. You should also take down window treatments, such as blinds and drapes.
You should also move decorations near the windows in a safe location away from the renovation site. If you have security sensors on windows, remove these items as well. You can save the installer time by removing these items before he or she arrives.
You may need to clear away outside objects as well, such as wreaths or other window decorations. Keep in mind that second-story window replacements tend to require ladders or scaffolding in order to access the windows. If your window sits on a second story, clear the lawn area below the window.
For large-scale projects, you may need a temporary storage container for your furniture and decorations. You can rent a storage container and have it delivered to your home on installation day. This will ensure your items don’t get in the way of the installer and will keep them clean during renovations.
Preparing for a Mess
Despite the efforts of the installer, most renovations cause dust and debris. The installer may need to scrape old paint, sand down the area, install drywall, and then repaint the area. This process usually creates dust throughout the room.
To prepare for this mess, cover your furniture and flooring inside and outside your window. You can use painter paper, a drop cloth, or a plastic sheet to keep furniture free from dust. This will make cleaning the mess easier on the installer when the job is complete. Before you cover the area, ask your installer if he or she usually uses covers. Some installers include this task in the price and may need to do the job themselves for quality assurance.
Although preparing your home for window replacement may take some time, the groundwork helps the replacement process go more smoothly. Follow these steps to ensure a smooth replacement process.
Alexandra 3/26/2015