Is it ok to install vinyl windows in a home after installing vinyl siding?

Question

Is it ok to install vinyl windows in a home after installing vinyl siding?

Answer 1

Absolutely.  You may have to cut some of the siding, but it shouldn't be major cutting.  If you aren't a professional, I'd go to Lowe's and have them set up and install.  They will send an installer to your house to take measurements and they will make a list of any additional materials and labor needed.  Plus their labor is warrenteed for a year.  

*If you are worried that the base charge of $85 a window installed is too expensive, you can tell them you need a discount, because you got a lower quote somewhere else.  It will save you a couple bucks.

Answer 2

yes you can

Answer 3

Best place to find this answer http://www.worldofwindowsandsiding.com  I used this company in the Dallas TX area last year and the price and quality was much better than Lowes or Home Depot. I bought my upstair windows from Home Depot and then found this company and had them do the lower level. I am very satisfied with the windows and the price was very close to what I paid for windows with out installation from Home Depot. Top notch installers and every thing was protected while work was done and area cleaned up.

Answer 4

Sure. It's what I've done and am still working on. I sided the house, then bought windows 2 at a time because of the expense.

Answer 5

This is not a simple yes/no question.

First you need to consider the type of windows you will need to use.  If your existing window frames (the part that is anchored to the house) are in good shape, you may just need vinyl replacement windows.  These are installed by removing the sashes (the part of the window that moves when you open it) and inserting a custom sized window into your old frame.  Ideally the exterior part of the existing window frames would be wrapped in aluminum which should be tucked behind the vinyl siding trim and sealed with a high quality caulk.  This is much easier to do either before the siding is installed or at the same time, but it certainly can be done after the siding is installed with minimal extra expense.

If your frames are in very bad condition and must be replaced, a custom sized new construction window would be a better choice.  In this case, the entire window is removed and the new window would be fastened directly to the house.  This really should be done before siding is installed as many of these windows have a "J-channel" built into the frame to cover the edge of the siding.  If the siding is installed first, part of it would need to be removed to properly install this type of window.  It could be done, but you would be looking at additional cost to remove part of the siding and re-install it.

A couple of other notes -- if your existing windows are in decent shape, you may be just as well of to have the existing windows clad in aluminum.  An experienced siding installer can usually do a pretty good job.  Adding storm windows can help as well, you should be able to do both for much less than replacing.  The time it takes to recover the cost of new windows is considerable unless your existing windows are in really bad shape.

If you must go the replacement route, make sure your installer is prepared to deal with insulating the entire cavity around the old windows.  The is especially an issue if you have really old double hung windows (slide up and down) that have (or used to have) cord or chains on the side to hold them up.  These windows have a 3" wide cavity on both sides to house the counterbalance wieghts -- if these are not insulated you will not gain much with your new windows.