Buying Replacement Windows

Written by Matthew Anthony


While most buyers of double glazing are looking for replacement windows to help reduce their energy costs, or because their old windows are rattling in their frames, there's a whole class of buyers who are 'trading up' - replacing perfectly good window frames forrepparttar sake of havingrepparttar 150797 windows they want. They may be looking to replace all of their windows with a different style, or trying to restore their home to its architectural period.

And then there arerepparttar 150798 homes that were fitted withrepparttar 150799 first wave of double glazed windows inrepparttar 150800 1960s and 1970s. The original windows that featured double glazing as an energy saving measure were aluminum framed and conformed torepparttar 150801 best energy standards of their day. There have been enormous advances since then - in materials, techniques and styles. For many people, it's time to upgrade torepparttar 150802 new standards, even ifrepparttar 150803 old windows are still holding firm.

There are other reasons that people turn to replacement windows as well. Last spring, for instance, my mother decided it was time to replacerepparttar 150804 mullioned casement windows in her kitchen. She's always hated them, but they came withrepparttar 150805 house - and were brand new when she bought it. She shopped around for months until she finally found exactly what she wanted - a full three three-sided greenhouse window with shelving built intorepparttar 150806 window frames. Each pane is double glazed, andrepparttar 150807 entire effect is stunning. Her choice of replacement window transformedrepparttar 150808 entire kitchen.

Whatever your reason for seeking replacement windows,repparttar 150809 following advice can help you chooserepparttar 150810 right ones.

Prioritize your needs

Think through your reasons for replacing your windows and place a priority on each. There are many choices of materials and styles of replacement windows available, and each has distinct advantages overrepparttar 150811 others. If you're concerned with restoration, for example, and want authenticity, then wood framed double glazed windows will probably be atrepparttar 150812 top of your list. If your primary need in replacing windows is affordability, then PVCu framed windows are a far better choice.



Drywall Installation

Written by Mark J. Donovan


Installing Drywall, or hanging drywall asrepparttar professionals usually refer torepparttar 150711 task, can be done byrepparttar 150712 homeowner. However, it is usually best done with two or more people as it requires significant lifting of heavy material. Mudding and Taping can also be performed byrepparttar 150713 homeowner, however these tasks require some practice and artistry.

Measuring and Ordering Drywall

Prior to actually hangingrepparttar 150714 drywall,repparttar 150715 material first needs to be ordered and delivered. To determine how much material to order, measure all ofrepparttar 150716 surface area, starting withrepparttar 150717 ceilings and thenrepparttar 150718 walls. Calculaterepparttar 150719 total square feet and divide by 32. The result should give yourepparttar 150720 number of 4’x 8’ sheets of drywall required forrepparttar 150721 job. I would also recommend adding another 5-10% to this figure to account for inefficiencies. Drywall does come in larger sheets, such as 4’x12’, however for a Do-it-Yourself homeowner these larger sheets can become unwieldy and maybe even impossible to bring intorepparttar 150722 existing home.

For bathrooms or other moist areas Greenboard should probably be used as this material is moisture resistance.

For bathroom areas where ceramic tile is to be applied, e.g. Shower/Bathtub areas, Concrete board should be used. The concrete board is also referred to as Wonderboard or Durock.

Joint Compound and Fiberglass tape will also be required for Taping and Mudding. Joint Compound typically comes ready-mixed in 5 gallon containers. I would suggest 1-2 containers per 500 square feet of drywall. Fiberglass tape is quite inexpensive so I would suggest picking up 2 to 3 roles for most Do-it-Yourself drywall projects.

Drywall screws or ringed nails will also be required. Typically I use 1.25” length screws or nails. Also, strips of corner bead will be required. Drywall Tools

Prior to starting drywall installation, you need to obtainrepparttar 150723 proper tools. A Drywall Lift really comes in handy when hanging sheetrock/drywall onrepparttar 150724 ceilings. You can rent Drywall Lifts at hardware or home improvement stores. If your budget does not allow for this cost, Jacks (or Ts) can be made out of 2”x 4”s. The Jacks (or Ts) should be of a length such that they are just an inch or two taller thanrepparttar 150725 height ofrepparttar 150726 ceiling and have a cross beam that is approximately 3’ in width. Usually there are a couple of 45o angle braces connectingrepparttar 150727 crossbar torepparttar 150728 main stem ofrepparttar 150729 Jack. The Jack can then be used to hold uprepparttar 150730 drywall torepparttar 150731 ceiling while it is screwed/nailed into place. In addition torepparttar 150732 Lift or Jacks, a drywall screw gun, hammer, T-square, carpenters knife, drywall saw and a keyhole saw are required. The keyhole saw is used for cutting around electrical boxes.

If mudding and taping are to be performed then Taping knifes, a Corner knife, sand paper, a pole sander and a Mud easel or pan will be necessary. Forrepparttar 150733 taping knifes you will need a 6” wide blade and a 12” wide blade.

Preparingrepparttar 150734 site for Drywall

Prior to hangingrepparttar 150735 drywall, make surerepparttar 150736 building inspector has first approvedrepparttar 150737 Framing, Plumbing, Electrical and Insulation jobs. Secondly, a vapor barrier should be applied overrepparttar 150738 insulation onrepparttar 150739 outside walls if un-faced insulation was installed. Frequently sheets of plastic are used for creatingrepparttar 150740 vapor barrier. The plastic is simply stapled torepparttar 150741 framing, coveringrepparttar 150742 insulation. Finally, inspect all ofrepparttar 150743 framing carefully. Ensure that nailers (e.g. 2” x 4”s) are existent at each corner and header, thatrepparttar 150744 framing is straight, and thatrepparttar 150745 framed walls create smooth planes. In addition,repparttar 150746 ceiling should have strapping applied (1” x 3” cross boards). Also, make sure metal protection plates have been installed to studding where sheetrock screws or nails could inadvertently penetrate plumbing pipes or electrical wire.

Safety

Drywall installation is dirty, heavy work. The Gypsum in drywall can be irritating torepparttar 150747 eyes, lungs and sinuses so wear safety goggles and masks to avoid breathing inrepparttar 150748 material. Gloves are also recommended to protect against sharp blades.

Installing Drywall

Start withrepparttar 150749 ceiling as this will allowrepparttar 150750 sheets onrepparttar 150751 walls to help holdrepparttar 150752 sheets onrepparttar 150753 ceiling. Userepparttar 150754 Drywall lift or Jacks to holdrepparttar 150755 sheets in place while screwing or nailing them torepparttar 150756 ceiling. The screws or nails should be installed such that they are slightly recessed and create a small dimple without breakingrepparttar 150757 paper. Screws or nails should be applied every 8 to 12 inches on each stud. Screws are typically stronger and can be placed further apart, e.g. 12 inches. It is best to fastenrepparttar 150758 screws/nails torepparttar 150759 edges ofrepparttar 150760 drywall first and then fill inrepparttar 150761 field afterwards.

Rows of drywall should be applied in a staggered pattern. This will create an interlocked pattern that creates a tighter and stronger ceiling/wall. Afterrepparttar 150762 ceiling has been completed it its time to move on torepparttar 150763 walls. Drywall should be applied fromrepparttar 150764 top down, withrepparttar 150765 sheets hung perpendicular torepparttar 150766 floor joists or studs. Againrepparttar 150767 rows should be staggered. The bottom piece should sit about ½ inches fromrepparttar 150768 sub-floor.

For purposes of efficiency and strength it is best to applyrepparttar 150769 large sheets of drywall overrepparttar 150770 doors and window openings and cut outrepparttar 150771 excess later. This will create stronger/cleaner looking walls and save significant time.

Installing Corner bead

Oncerepparttar 150772 drywall has been installed, corner bead should be applied to all outside edges. Corner bead should be nailed every 6-8 inches and penetraterepparttar 150773 framing.

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