EPT
). Ours had the former. We only knew the walls were empty because of our Kitchen Remodel.![[image loading]](http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv83/sbogumil/Kitchen%20Remodel/100_1347.jpg)
Doesn't cut the mustard for upstate NY
+ Show Spoiler +
This picture also has a replacement window installed, which we decided later to replace...
So we know we wanted new windows, and insulation.
We started looking into contractors price for 1 picture window, and 10 standard windows. They were ranging from $7000 to $8000 USD for the whole job. Holy crap.
For insulation, I didn't check with contractors. I figured I would just do it. With aluminum siding, the process is quite simple.
So, needless to say, we started looking at DIY windows. Basically, there are 2 options for windows. Replacement windows and New Construction windows. The new construction windows are much nicer, since they have built-in exterior trim, with J-Channel for siding built-in. The only problem is, you need to see the studs in the opening, and the sheathing on the house to nail it to. The replacement windows are nice, it's the same physical window, just without the exterior trim portion and nailing flange.
This is where the "might-as-well"'s come in. The cost inflator of DIY projects. You are saving money by doing it yourself, so you might as well get the better stuff, right?
We decided on the new construction windows. So, we would need to remove siding portions around the windows, and cut them to size when re-installing.
My wife says, "You are going to need to take off most of the siding. Don't you think we should upgrade to vinyl siding" Since you are going to have most of it off anyway?"
"...." + Show Spoiler [3 Day argument] +
Nah, let's just say she won, as usual
I never did like that siding. The color is green, but it's more of a Bryers Mint Chocolate Chip. Nothing that paint wouldn't fix, but none the less, we started getting quotes for siding.
The first and last quote we got was from Home Depot. They send their salesman out to be your buddy, and then drop the bomb that for your 1100 square foot 1-story house will cost $17,000. Holy crap.
After kicking his ass out, I immediately started looking for DIY solutions. There is a lengthy manual on Vinylsiding.org that is very specific on how to cut and install siding, and I felt I could give it a go.
So we selected colors, ordered siding, windows, reserved a cellulose insulation blower, and off we go! 6 of the standard windows were in stock, which makes them 50% cheaper than ordering, so we took those home right away. As you can see below, these windows in the front are special, as they are joined together.
![[image loading]](http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv83/sbogumil/Siding%20Insulation%20Windows/100_1527.jpg)
There she is. Okay, no chocolate chip, but definately mint.
I started by removing siding around those windows I could put in. I used a circular saw. I only have a handful of pictures.
Installing the windows is quite easy. You caulk around the flange, put the window in the hole, support it from the inside with scrap wood to position it, and nail it in. Then nail flashing around the outside. I found out later that the flashing around the bottom should go on before the window, oops.
![[image loading]](http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv83/sbogumil/Siding%20Insulation%20Windows/100_1525.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv83/sbogumil/Siding%20Insulation%20Windows/100_1526.jpg)
Here's 2. The only close-ups I have during construction.
Waiting for 3 weeks for our goods to come in, I picked away at some siding on nights and weekends, and started making piles of aluminum. Once I had the whole house portion removed (minus the garage) I picked up the insulation blower and a bunch of bags of cellulose.
Insulation was easy. Fill the machine with some cellulose - it looks like a bunch of dryer lint, with newspaper mixed in.
![[image loading]](http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv83/sbogumil/Siding%20Insulation%20Windows/100_1531.jpg)
My sister-in-law, packin in the cellulose.
I drilled a 1" hole about 3/4 of the way up, and one more near the top. You put the hose up to the bottom hole, place your hand over the top hole (cellulose shoots out, this wasn't in the instructions... it's there to let air out) and turn the machine on and wait. Then plug into the top hole and turn the machine on and wait. After a cavity is done, plug the holes, I bought 1" plastic plugs to do this. Then repeat for the remaining 70ish cavities.
![[image loading]](http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv83/sbogumil/Siding%20Insulation%20Windows/100_1530.jpg)
My wife sure does know how to man a hose.
Insulation was done in a day. ezpz.
Once all the siding was off, the next step was to wrap the house with Tyvek. It's a 1-way vapor barrier that lets moisture out but not in. It just gets stapled on and the seams taped together.
Then our windows came in, so we went and picked those up. I left getting the old windows out to my wife and her friend.
![[image loading]](http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv83/sbogumil/Siding%20Insulation%20Windows/100_1532.jpg)
Push! Harder!
![[image loading]](http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv83/sbogumil/Siding%20Insulation%20Windows/100_1533.jpg)
Oh snap, there it goes!
![[image loading]](http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv83/sbogumil/Siding%20Insulation%20Windows/100_1534.jpg)
We Rule.
Once we got those windows in, I took on a lighter job and cut molding for the inside of the picture window. More simple stuff. Measure once, cut once, cuss, measure twice, cut once and nail them on.
![[image loading]](http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv83/sbogumil/Siding%20Insulation%20Windows/100_1538.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv83/sbogumil/Siding%20Insulation%20Windows/100_1537.jpg)
It just looks better at night.
The siding, is simple, but tedious. I took 2 weeks off work, had multiple helpers come and go, and we had it done in 3 weeks. I didn't take pictures during the siding phase, since I lost my excitement and just wanted to get it done.
The interesting thing about vinyl siding is that you "hang" it, and not nail it straight to the wall. You leave a milimeter gap behind the nail head. This allows the siding to expand and contract with the weather. Nailing it in all the way could cause it to crack in a few years. It's been 3 years, and still looking good.
![[image loading]](http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv83/sbogumil/Siding%20Insulation%20Windows/100_1535.jpg)
That "wavyness" is an effect of down-scaling.
![[image loading]](http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv83/sbogumil/Siding%20Insulation%20Windows/100_1536.jpg)
Methinks these look like crap, click the links below.
+ Show Spoiler [Not downscaled links] +
The funny thing is, our neighborhood gets a free newspaper delivery on Sunday, called the Pennysaver, and since we moved in, they didn't ever deliver to us. Once we did the siding, they started delivering to us.
Cost. This is where you shit a brick.
Windows: $1,200
Siding: $2,400
Insulation: $ 400
Recycle aluminum siding: $ -450
Total: $3,550
HALF the cost of having JUST THE WINDOWS done professionally. Also, lots of man-hours from friends, so a few nice dinners bought too.
I've got 1 more huge project to blab about, a bathroom, and I hope to have it up soon.
+ Show Spoiler [to teamliquid coders] +
A preview button in Blogs? THANK YOU
