Replacement Window Installation Guide Non-Impact & Impact Resistant Windows without Nailing Fin americancraftsmanwindows.
American Craftsman Installation Guide Project Requirements: • Failure to follow these instructions may void product warranty. • Window must be installed to be plumb, level and square. • Read guide before starting installation. Read all warnings and cautions during installation. • The replacement window should be approximately 1/4" less in width and height than the existing window opening once the old sash and components have been removed. Head expander can be used if up to 1/2" less in height.
American Craftsman Installation Guide Tools & materials required: Safety glasses Work gloves Tape measure Framer’s square 4' level Chisel Putty knife Utility knife or other cutting tool (as needed) Pry bar Pliers Phillips hand screwdriver Power driver and bits Backer rod/ Minimum expanding foam sealant Fiberglass insulation Shims Caulk gun Interior and exterior window grade sealant Finish nails 4 - #8 x 2" flat head screws Hammer (for single-hung window installation only) Replacement W
American Craftsman Installation Guide Warnings and Cautions: Use caution when working at elevated heights and around unit openings. Follow manufacturers’ instructions for ladders and/or scaffolding. Failure to do so may result in injury or death. Follow manufacturers’ instructions for hand or power tools. Always wear safety glasses. Failure to do so may result in injury and/or product damage. Windows and doors can be heavy.
American Craftsman Installation Guide Warnings and Cautions: Do not cover weep holes. Property damage may result. The use of movable insulating materials such as window coverings, shutters, and other shading devices may damage glass and/or vinyl. Remove or cut ventilation holes in plastic shipping wrap if window is not installed immediately or product damage may occur. Do not store windows flat or in the sun or product damage may occur.
American Craftsman Installation Guide Fasteners: Metal fasteners and components may corrode when exposed to preservative-treated and/or fire-retardant treated lumber. Use approved fasteners and components to fasten unit. Failure to do so may cause a failure resulting in injury, property or product damage. Finishing, Cleaning and Maintenance Instructions: Do not stain or paint weatherstrip, vinyl, glass or hardware. Product damage may occur.
American Craftsman Installation Guide Florida Building Code Approved Fastener Chart Application Minimum Clearance to Masonry Edge Minimum Embedment Minimum Clearance to Adjacent Anchor Anchor Type Anchor Size 1X Buck or Masonry Frame ITW 1/4" 1–1/4" 2–1/2" 3" 1X Buck or Masonry Frame ELCO 1/4" 1–1/4" 1" 4" This fastener schedule is provided as an example of fastening requirements. Requirements may vary by product, building type, application and region.
American Craftsman Installation Guide Step 1 Inspect new window and verify opening. Inspect for proper size and condition and verify that all parts are included. Inspect existing wall and rough opening for structural decay. Repair as needed.
American Craftsman Installation Guide Step 2 Remove interior stops. Carefully remove interior stops and save for later use. Utility knife Putty knife Interior Step 3 Remove bottom sash. 1 2 Cut bottom sash balance cords, if present. Balance systems may vary. 1 Cut 2 Remove Remove bottom sash and dispose of properly. Interior NOTE: If old window opening has wood top and side parting stops, proceed to Step 4 Wood Stops. If opening has metal tracks on the sides, proceed to Step 6 Metal Tracks.
American Craftsman Installation Guide Step 4 Wood Stops Remove top and side parting stops. Remove top and side wood parting stops and dispose of properly. Interior Step 5 Wood Stops Remove top sash. Lower top sash to sill. Cut top sash balance cords, if present. Balance systems may vary. Remove top sash and dispose of properly. NOTE: Proceed to Step 7. Interior Replacement Windows 10 888-504-0005 www.AmericanCraftsmanWindows.
American Craftsman Installation Guide Step 6 Metal Tracks Remove tracks and top sash. Lower top sash to sill. Remove top wood parting stop. Remove fasteners that attach metal tracks/jamb liners to the sides. Remove metal tracks and top sash together and dispose of properly. Be careful when removing metal tracks/ jamb liners as springs may be under tension. NOTE: Proceed to Step 7. Interior Step 7 Remove old balance system. Remove old balance system including any pulleys and dispose of properly.
American Craftsman Installation Guide Step 8 Correct size Inspect opening. Framer's square Make sure opening is structurally sound. Make sure opening is plumb, level and square. Measure the opening at the smallest width and height, vertically and horizontally to verify size. Remember to check to make sure the opening is square by measuring diagonally. Measurements must be within 1/8". Tape measure Plumb Interior Level Inspect to make sure no visible water leakage. Step 9 Prepare opening.
American Craftsman Installation Guide Step 10 Verify blind stop. Leave existing blind stop intact. If any portion of the blind stop is damaged, the entire stop will need to be replaced. Blind stop Interior Sill Step 11 Install sill angle if needed. If sill of existing window opening is slanted, install supplied sill angle in the groove on the bottom of the window. Determine appropriate sill angle placement for either double-hung or single-hung as shown.
American Craftsman Installation Guide Head expander Step 12 Insulation Install head expander if needed. If the height of the window opening is higher than what will be covered with interior stops, then place the supplied head expander on top of the window as shown. It is recommended to add fiberglass insulation between head expander and window. NOTE: Procedure is identical for double-hung, single-hung, sliding, picture, casement or awning windows.
American Craftsman Installation Guide Step 14 Apply sealant to sill. Apply 3/8" bead of sealant where the existing stool meets the window sill. Caulking gun and sealant Stool Window sill Exterior Step 15 Apply sealant to blind stop. Apply 3/8" bead of sealant to inside edge of blind stop at top and both sides. Interior If using optional head expander, continue with Step 16. If not using optional head expander, proceed to Step 17. Replacement Windows www.AmericanCraftsmanWindows.
American Craftsman Installation Guide Step 16 Apply sealant to head of window for optional head expander. Apply 3/8" bead of sealant to top of window frame in middle across the entire width of the opening if using head expander. Interior Step 17 Place window into opening. Place window into opening, tilting in from bottom. Make sure sill angle and head expander remain in place if present. The bottom interior edge of the window should sit tight against the stool.
American Craftsman Installation Guide Step 18 Check for square. Close and lock window. Measure diagonally across unit, upper left to lower right and upper right to lower left corner. If measurements are within 1/8", unit is square. If unit is not square, adjust by inserting shims as needed. Do not over shim. Shim Interior Replacement Windows www.AmericanCraftsmanWindows.
American Craftsman Installation Guide Step 19 Check for plumb. Measure across head, center and sill of unit. Center dimensions should match head and sill dimensions within 1/8". Check for plumb. Shim to straighten side jambs as needed. Do not over shim. Interior NOTE: If installing a double-hung window, proceed to Step 20 DoubleHung. If installing a sliding, picture, casement or awning window, proceed to Step 22 Double-Hung, Sliding, Picture, Casement or Awning.
American Craftsman Installation Guide Step 20 Double-Hung Access screw holes. Temporarily remove the top (if applicable) and bottom sash stops by gently prying them out of the jambs. Save them to re-install later, keeping track of location of each. Sash Stops Interior NOTE: If installing a double-hung window with 4 sash stops, proceed to Step 21 Double-Hung Balance Covers. Otherwise, proceed to Step 22 Double-Hung, Sliding, Picture, Casement or Awning. Replacement Windows www.AmericanCraftsmanWindows.
American Craftsman Installation Guide Step 21 Double-Hung Balance Covers Remove balance covers to access screw holes. 1 To access the balance covers, unlock and partially raise the bottom sash. Slide tilt latches and tilt the bottom sash in. Rest sash on sill. 2 Place your index finger at the bottom edge of the balance cover. 3 Pull the balance cover out of the jamb channel. Repeat to remove the other balance cover. Then tilt the bottom sash back into place.
American Craftsman Installation Guide Step 22 Double-Hung, Sliding, Picture, Casement or Awning Fasten window. Unlock window and open sash to access screw holes. Install supplied #8 x 2" pan head screws into the 2 screw holes in each jamb. Do not over tighten as this may distort the frame. #8 x 2" Pan head screws Interior NOTE: If installing a double-hung window, proceed to Step 23 DoubleHung.
American Craftsman Installation Guide Step 23 Double-Hung Adjust sides. To access the jamb adjusting screws, unlock and partially raise the bottom sash. Slide tilt latches and tilt the bottom sash in. Tighten the jamb adjusting screws located in the middle of the sides until the sight lines between the frame and sash are equal and uniform. Then tilt the bottom sash back into place. Phillips screwdriver Interior NOTE: Proceed to Step 24 Double-Hung, Sliding, Picture, Casement or Awning.
American Craftsman Installation Guide Step 24 Double-Hung, Sliding, Picture, Casement or Awning Check window placement. Close and lock window. Check window for plumb, level and square. Diagonal measurements must be within 1/8". Check sight lines. Check sash operation. Adjust screws and shims as needed. Interior NOTE: If installing a double-hung window, proceed to Step 25 DoubleHung. Otherwise proceed to Step 30. Replacement Windows www.AmericanCraftsmanWindows.
American Craftsman Installation Guide Step 25 Double-Hung Install sash stops. Replace the top (if applicable) and bottom sash stops by installing them in the top and bottom of both sides. Interior NOTE: If installing a double-hung window with 4 sash stops, proceed to Step 26 Double-Hung Balance Covers. Otherwise, proceed to Step 30. Replacement Windows 24 888-504-0005 www.AmericanCraftsmanWindows.
American Craftsman Installation Guide Step 26 Double-Hung Balance Covers Install balance covers. 1 Tilt the bottom sash in. 2 Position the balance cover into the jamb, and make sure it is tight against the head of the unit. Insert the top portion of the balance cover into the jamb. Once attached, slide your finger along the balance cover down toward the sill, compressing the balance cover into the side jamb. Repeat to install the other balance cover. 1 Interior NOTE: Proceed to Step 30.
American Craftsman Installation Guide Step 27 Single-Hung Drill installation holes. Open bottom sash. Drill one 3/32" installation hole in each side approximately 2" up from the bottom to penetrate structural supports at least 1". 2" 2" Interior Power driver Step 28 Single-Hung Fasten window. Install #8 x 2" flat head screws (not supplied) into the 2 screw holes in each jamb. Do not over tighten as this may distort the window. Do not damage balance cords.
American Craftsman Installation Guide Step 29 Single-Hung Check window placement. Close and lock window. Check window for plumb, level and square. Diagonal measurements must be within 1/8". Check sight lines. Check sash operation. Adjust screws and shims as needed. NOTE: Proceed to Step 30. Interior Step 30 Apply interior stops. Replace or add, if needed, interior stops against the window. Be careful to not damage the window. Interior Replacement Windows www.AmericanCraftsmanWindows.
American Craftsman Installation Guide Step 31 Apply sealant to interior. Apply interior grade sealant to the interior of the window where the interior stops meet the window and where the head expander, if present, meets the window to seal any gaps. Interior Step 32 Apply sealant to exterior. Apply exterior grade sealant to the exterior of window where window meets framed opening around entire perimeter. Fill any old screw holes.
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