Retrofit windows stucco homes

This flashing makes sure water flows over the front of the window and not behind it. Stucco masons of old installed these and they're foolproof. It's important to realize the flashing should slide behind any felt paper or water membrane behind the stucco. Water that gets behind stucco should never be allowed to touch the wood framing. Windows used for replacement window projects will either have a stucco flange or nail flange around the frame.

Windows with a stucco flange are also called flush fin or jump frame windows. These are commonly used for replacement window projects in stucco homes.

They make the removal process a little easier because it only requires a pocket installation. A pocket installation uses insert windows. Insert windows are made in flush-fin and block-fit frames. The new window is set inside the already-in-place window frame and the stucco flange hides the existing frame from the exterior.

This is our preferred method if there is no water or structural damage to the window opening. Many window replacement companies have their own preferred methods, if they take on stucco projects at all. You can see and learn more about stucco flanges in the video below. The video features Milgard windows with a stucco flange, what they call a Z-Bar.

Milgard windows are no longer available in Texas and so our go-to for stucco replacement window projects is now Alside. New construction windows have a nail flange, we usually call it a nail fin. The nail fin is set back about an inch from the face of the window frame. Stucco is often labeled as being "durable," but it's actually water permeable. If stucco is damaged and has exposed cracks, moisture can lead to mold, mildew, and wood rot.

Repairs are possible, but for a better long-term solution, an entire remediation process may be necessary. Remediation involves removing the stucco from corner to corner and addressing root issues and causes. It is a costly and time-consuming process. Make sure to resolve existing problems with your stucco before you begin your window replacement project.

Stucco removal is hard work. The material is strong, and if you don't end up in bed from pure exhaustion, there are other dangers at play. Personal protective equipment PPE is needed to protect your eyes and lungs. These items include:. Stucco removal for window replacement involves hammering the wall until it cracks and crumbles.

Run the sealant along the exterior of the window where the flush fin connects with the wall. Make sure that the retrofit window is level and precise by shimming the frame from the interior. Install shims at fastener points where it is possible. Using a pan head screw, secure the window in place.

You can begin from the upper jamb corners. Go over the level and shim if needed. In the opposite jamb, place an additional screw and recheck for level. If the frame is properly level, attach the rest of the screws. Once the window is secured, finish with sealant sound the exteriors of the flush fin. Wipe off any excess for a clean look. Meanwhile, from the interior, use a backer rod or insulation material to fill the gap between the old and the new frames.

You can hide the void with flat interior trim or any of your choice. Windows classified as new construction windows are replacement windows that licensed contractors can install. What sets new construction windows apart is the amount of work that goes into them. New construction windows completely replace the old windows. Even the frames of your old windows get removed. The outside siding is often cut back, and the new window frame installed.

If you have a homemade from brick, stone, or stucco, then remember that they may have to remove some in order to put in new windows. Retrofitting a window will involve replacing the glass. The window frame inside the stucco itself stays then a new glass and energy-efficient window is installed.

The process is known as retrofitting because you are taking a new window and placing it into an older frame. The process can be completed without stucco, drywall or paint damage. In some instances, the frame may have to be repaired and can cause some difficulty if it is not plumb to the wall. By their very definition, these windows are brand new.