Because this is on the backside of the home, where trim is often omitted, the siding must be cut away to fully expose the nailing flange. This step ensures proper extraction of the broken and aged window, creating a clean and accessible opening for a secure and precise replacement.

The original window was installed without window wrap tape, leaving it vulnerable to moisture infiltration. As the siding is removed, rusty nails—which are also the wrong type for this application—become visible, further revealing potential water damage.

Additionally, cracks in the caulking, as shown in the photo at left, indicate that moisture has been seeping in, likely penetrating the residence itself, as evidenced by the dripping rust from the nails.

A properly sealed window installation with window wrap tape and corrosion-resistant fasteners is essential to prevent future leaks, ensuring structural integrity and long-term durability.

To ensure smooth removal of the siding without causing damage, the caulking must be carefully cut away. This prevents unnecessary breakage in the adjacent panels, allowing the siding to be removed cleanly and efficiently while maintaining the integrity of the wall structure.

By cutting back the strips of siding that covered the window mounting flanges, the fasteners in the flanges become accessible for removal. This careful preparation allows for a clean extraction of the old window, ensuring a smooth transition to the new installation while maintaining the integrity of the existing framed opening.

In these small cavities, insulation serves multiple functions—enhancing thermal efficiency while also reducing condensation and minimizing outside noise transmission.

Given the depth and narrowness of the space, fiberglass insulation was chosen as the best fit, offering effective coverage without the messiness of spray foam, which was deemed impractical for this specific application

To ensure a smooth, polished surface, a 5-way painter's tool with a beveled edge is carefully used to strip away the remaining caulk residue. This method effectively cleans the interior sill while preventing damage to the surrounding trim material, preserving the integrity and appearance of the installation.

With the opening ready, the new window is carefully inserted and aligned to preserve the previous interior reveals.

This process requires two people:

1. One person measures (or marks) the same exposed space on the top, bottom, and sides, ensuring proper alignment with the interior abutting surfaces.

2. The second person secures the window, fastening it through the mounting flanges with screws (instead of nails, in this case) for a stable and lasting hold.

This team-based approach ensures precision, durability, and a clean finish, setting the stage for the next steps in completing the installation.

With the new window securely nailed in place, the focus shifts to marking precise lines for the exterior trim. A slight siding trim-back ensures a perfect fit, allowing the trim to integrate seamlessly with the surrounding fenestration—the arrangement, proportioning, and design of the building’s windows and doors.

The reveals are perfectly even all around the window on the inside, contributing to a clean, polished look. Reveals are the thin strips of window material that appear along any abutting trim, and their consistency is essential for a visually pleasing finish.

These details are rarely noticed when correct, but when out of alignment, they become glaringly obvious, making precision an essential part of window installation.

With the window marked for new trim, the siding is ready for one final careful cut, ensuring a precise fit for the new trim. This step helps achieve a clean, seamless integration, refining the exterior for a polished and professional finish.

With the siding cut back, there is now ample room for the new trim to be installed cleanly and precisely. A well-executed cut ensures the trim will fit properly and mesh well with the other windows on this side of the house.

Layering Window Wrap for Proper Water Shedding (FYI)

The installation process for window wrap follows a layered approach designed to effectively direct water away from the window:

1. Bottom Flange First – The wrap is applied to the bottom flange, establishing the base layer.

2. Side Flanges Next – These strips overlap the bottom wrap, ensuring that any water traveling downward won’t seep behind the lower section.

3. Top Strip Last – The final piece covers the top ends of the side strips, reinforcing the protective layering.

While this method is intended to shed water efficiently, many consider it unnecessary due to the strong adhesive properties of the wrap, which typically seals tightly upon application.

With the window wrap fully installed, the next step is fitting the trim into the designated gaps around the window and caulking.

Windows on the side of the house not facing the street are often left untrimmed as a cost-saving measure for builders. This approach reduces materials and labor expenses, while still ensuring functionality and weather protection for the window installation.

With the trim installed and caulked, the window installation is officially complete. The final result looks great andprovides a clean and well-integrated appearance.

The Gutter Installer Finishes Up

A Typical "Endless Gutter" Setup