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Safe window removal
Contents:
When removing old windows, it is not always necessary to call a professional. A skilled craftsman can easily dismantle old windows themselves, provided they have the right tools and proper step-by-step instructions.
Depending on whether the window being dismantled is wooden or uPVC, some differences in the dismantling process should be considered. The following instructions and accompanying video will show you in detail how to work with wood and PVC independently and safely.
The right tools are required for each job For dismantling, you will need:
For a wooden window:
- Hammer;
- Screwdriver;
- Crowbar;
- Pliers;
- Saw;
- Ticks;
- Nail puller (preferably);
- Chisel (not in all cases);
- Hacksaw (not in all cases);
- Angle grinder (preferably).
For a PVC window:
- Hammer;
- Screwdriver;
- Crowbar;
- Pliers;
- Saw;
- Nail puller;
- Rotary hammer;
- Chisel;
- Milling machine or an alternative tool.
Stages of dismantling a wooden window
Step 1 - Preparing the Room
When dismantling windows, there will be a lot of debris and dust, so before removing old wooden windows, it is necessary to prepare the room. To do this, you need to do the following:
- Remove curtains, blinds, or other sun protection systems from the windows;
- Ensure free access to the window by moving any nearby furniture;
- Remove carpets and rugs;
- Furniture and floors should be protected with plastic sheeting and newspapers;
- Prepare bags for construction debris.
Pay attention to safety when dismantling windows! Protect your eyes with safety glasses from flying debris, and your hands with comfortable work gloves.
Step 2 - Dismantling the Glass and Sash
The sash is the movable part of the window that attaches to the frame It is necessary for the window to have opening sections.
Dismantling the sash in old-style windows
- If there are fixed parts, remove the glazing beads, and then carefully remove the glass. Hold the glass with your fingertips to avoid contact with the edge. Even if you are wearing special gloves, there is a risk that the glass will slide across your palm;
- Remove the old pins using a hammer with sharp, up-and-down motions to knock them out of the grooves;
- Cut a hole about two centimeters long in the horizontal crossbar After this, the frame can be lifted;
- Unscrew the old hinges and remove the sashes;
- Pry the sashes slightly from the bottom with a crowbar from the wall side and carefully remove them.
Step 3 - Dismantling the Frame
The frame is the main stationary support part around the perimeter of the window, made precisely to the dimensions of a specific window.
The mullion is the divider of the structure Thanks to it, the window has sections that either open or do not open.
Typically, wooden window frames are attached to concrete using nails 150-200 mm in length.
- Remove the plaster until the nails are exposed;
- Grip them from the inside near the wall with pliers and hit the frame with a hammer until the heads of the nails are visible;
- Pry up the nails with pliers, pull them out to the level of the nail puller, and remove them If you have an angle grinder, you can easily cut the nail at the base of the window frame;
- After the window frame has been freed from the nails, make a cut through the mullion and the bottom of the frame at the center, and carefully remove the frame from the opening Use alternating taps with a hammer and work with a crowbar or nail puller.
Step 4 - Removal of trims, windowsill, and drip cap
Trim is a narrow, long plank that frames the windows.
A windowsill is a structural element of a window, its horizontal interior part, which is installed either level with the bottom of the frame or directly below it.
A drip cap is an element of the window design that facilitates the free drainage of water from the exterior side of the window.
If there are no plans to preserve the old trim, it will also need to be removed If the trim is plain rather than carved, it can be easily removed by oneself.
- Using any of the tools: a chisel, an axe, a screwdriver, or a nail puller, carefully pry up the wooden plank and, using the tool as a lever, pull it away from the wall;
For the removal of the sill and the drip cap, force is required. Therefore, we recommend carrying out the rest of the process using personal protective equipment. Try not to damage the house wall or the openings.
- The external drip cap is usually nailed or screwed in place. You will need to unscrew the screws and then gently pull to remove the drip cap;
- Check how the windowsill is attached If it is fixed to the wall, hit it a few times with a hammer to loosen the attachment. Then, using a crowbar, lift it slightly. After that, you should be able to manually pull it out from the wall If that's not enough, a chisel and hammer may be necessary Insert the chisel between the windowsill and the wall and strike it with the hammer.
If that still doesn’t work, you will need to use a saw Make several cuts in the windowsill using a wood saw and then remove it using a crowbar.
Step 5 - Cleaning the window frame
After removing the wooden windows, conduct a final inspection and clean the surface of the window frame. By removing any obstructing layers of plaster, you will ensure a smooth ‘entrance’ for installing the new windows.
Step 6 - Cleaning up and removing debris
Attention! The dismantled remnants of window frames are considered construction waste, and leaving them where regular household waste is disposed of is not permissible.
Offenders may be fined It’s better to contact a specialized organization for the disposal of construction waste beforehand. Framex recommends always maintaining cleanliness and order.
Stages of dismantling a plastic window
Step 1 - Room Preparation
When dismantling windows, there will be a lot of debris and dust, so it’s essential to prepare the room before removing the old plastic windows. To do this, follow these steps:
- Remove curtains, blinds, or other sun protection systems from the windows;
- Ensure unrestricted access to the window by moving nearby furniture aside;
- Remove rugs and carpets;
- Furniture and floor should be protected with plastic film and newspapers;
- Prepare bags for construction debris.
Pay attention to safety during window dismantling. Protect your eyes with safety goggles from flying debris, and your hands with comfortable work gloves.
Step 2 - Removal of glass and window sash
Sash – the movable part of the window, which is attached to the frame and also consists of a plastic profile It is necessary for the window to have opening parts A modern window can have several opening options: casement, awning, tilt and turn, fixed.
Modern plastic windows are removed quickly and easily compared to older ones. All you need are pliers and a screwdriver.
- Remove the plastic cover located above the bearing using pliers or a screwdriver;
- Open the sash and pull out the pin attached to the bearing from its socket;
- Once the scissor hinge is exposed, simply pull the pin downwards and outwards;
- Remove the window sash by lifting it up from the bottom corner support.
If there is a tilt-and-turn mechanism, open the sash and adjust it – move the window handle to the open position, and the window to the tilt position. If the window does not have a tilt function, simply open the window sash and remove it from the hinges. And if there is a fixed sash, it is necessary to remove the glass from it.
To remove the glass from the insulated glass unit, carefully use a knife to cut the top layer of sealant. Now gently remove all layers of sealant and reach the aluminum frame of the insulated glass unit. Hook your finger under the top edge of the insulated glass unit, then tilt it towards yourself, shift your hands, and take the insulated glass unit by the sides.
Step 3 - Frame Dismantling
The frame is the main non-moving load-bearing part around the window, precisely manufactured to the dimensions of the specific window. The frame holds the sash and is firmly installed in the opening Here, a crowbar and a sabre saw or a hand router are used.
The frame should be removed after removing the insulated glass units. Once rid of any hazardous components, you can proceed to extract the frame directly:
- Break down the plastered reveals using a rotary hammer and chisel;
- Loosen the frame attachment To do this, first separate the connection between the window frame and the masonry using a wall milling machine or alternative tool;
- Next, saw through the joint on the frame Usually, cutting on the left and right sides of the frame is sufficient, as it is typically attached only from the sides Otherwise - the top and bottom also need to be sawn In this case, make six cuts to divide the window frame into several parts: 2 on the left, 2 on the right, 1 at the top, and 1 at the bottom To prevent the frame parts from skewing during dismantling, make the cuts V-shaped;
- Lift the weakened parts of the frame with a crowbar and dispose of them.
If there are roller shutters present, unscrew them at the connection points For shutters with a non-removable wall box, simply remove the guide rails.
Step 4 - Dismantling the windowsill and drip edge
Windowsill – a structural element of the window, its horizontal inner part, which is laid at the same level as the bottom part of the frame or directly under it.
Drip edge – a component of the window structure responsible for free water drainage from the external side of the window.
The windowsill is often placed on mounting foam. You need to remove the part from the center towards the edge. Apply force to the drip edge, detach it from the surface of the window opening and the applied sealant. If the drip edge was additionally secured with screws or bolts, you need to remove them first, and only then proceed to remove it using brute force.
Step 5 - Cleaning the window opening
After the plastic windows are removed, conduct a final inspection and clean the surface of the window opening. By removing any obstructing layers of plaster, you will ensure a smooth ‘entrance’ for installing new windows.
Step 6 - Cleaning up and removing debris
Note! Dismantled remnants of window frames are considered construction waste, and leaving them where regular household waste is disposed of is not permissible.
Offenders may be fined It’s better to contact a specialized organization for the disposal of construction waste beforehand. Framex recommends always maintaining cleanliness and order.
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