The Scoop on
Vinyl Retrofits
Question: We're remodeling and want
to replace the existing exterior sliding doors and windows with new double
pane glass to reduce heating and cooling costs. Is there some way to do
this without having to replaster inside and out, after the work is
done?
-- Peter, Orlando, Fla.
Q&A: Selling a home? Consider buying a new one first.
Peter: Yes, there certainly is. The demand for retrofitted sliding glass doors and windows has created an entire mini-industry -- vinyl retrofits -- to help you out. New sliding windows and doors, primarily made of vinyl (think PVC), have the added benefit of being virtually impervious to mold and rot. The sliding windows and doors for an entire home often can be replaced in a single day.
Here's how it's done: first the inside dimensions of the existing windows are taken, and new vinyl frame windows are made to fit. Then the old glass is removed and the new sliders, frame and all, are inserted in the open space. They are nailed at the ends and finally vinyl strips are glued to the frame and the existing walls to finish the job. It ends up looking like a professional installation.
The only drawback is the price. The retrofitted windows, because they are custom made, usually cost about twice as much as ready-made vinyl windows. However, you can purchase them at large hardware stores, including the national chains, and install them yourself to save money. For installers, check the yellow pages under "window vinyl replacement."
Check into my new book, "Tips & Traps When Renovating Your Home," (McGraw-Hill, 1999), for more hints on remodeling.
Mr. Irwin has more than 25 years' experience as a Los Angeles-area real-estate broker. He is the author of more than two dozen books about real estate and is recognized as one of the most knowledgeable writers in the real-estate field. Mr. Irwin's most recent book is "Tips & Traps When Buying a Condo, Co-op or Townhouse," (McGraw-Hill, 1999).
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