Window replacement is one of the best ways to enhance energy efficiency, comfort, and the beauty of your home. You should prepare your home before professionals from a custom window company arrive. These include clear space around each window, shielding floors and furniture, turning off the alarm, and ensuring workers move with a clear path. To ensure a smooth process, keep pets and children in a secure area, inform household members about the schedule, and plan for cleanup and final inspections after the replacement.
Steps to Prepare Your Home for Window Replacement
Here are the most important steps to follow:
- Clear the Area Around Your Windows
The first task is to clear everything near the window you’re replacing. This includes furniture, drapes, blinds, wall pictures, and decorative items that might be around the window. Installers require full access to those areas from both indoor and outdoor locations for the window to be replaced. Don’t forget to move outdoor items like potted plants, garden furniture, or grills if they’re close to exterior windows.
- Protect Your Floors
Dust, dirt, and tools are a normal part of any window replacement project. Installers can bring in dirt and debris, which may damage your floors. To avoid creating a mess, lay down drop cloths, plastic sheeting, or old towels near each window being replaced. Let your installer know if you’re concerned about your carpets or hardwood floors.
- Keep the Furniture Safe
Moving larger items of furniture away from windows is next up. If it can’t be moved or is too bulky, place a tarp or plastic covering on it so that when dust or dirt falls, it won’t make a mess or leave any stains. This additional layer of protection will prevent anything from getting damaged or dirty.
- Disable Alarms Connected to Windows
If you have a system that monitors your home’s security, deactivate any alarms connected to your windows. New windows may have sensors that trigger alarms if removed. Discuss this with your alarm company before replacement day. Once new windows have been installed, you might have a technician visit to assist in disconnecting and reconnecting the system.
- Make a Path for Workers
Workers will move in and out of your home and carry large window panes and equipment. Ensure there is a clear, unobstructed path from the entry door to each window being replaced. Remove rugs, toys, and any other obstacles a person can trip over.
- Keep Your Pets Safe
Pets get very curious when unfamiliar people are at home. It is best to put them in a separate (empty) room while the work is in progress. The noise and activity may stress them out, and opening doors and windows might provide an escape route. This ensures they do not experience any harm and that the technicians can work without worry.
- Always Ensure Children’s Safety
Kids should be kept away from work areas. Installers use tools and ladders. Thus, open areas are unsafe for children. Inform your kids beforehand that employees will arrive and that access to some rooms will be restricted. Plan activities or playdates outside the home to minimize distractions and keep everyone safe.
- Inform Family Members
Notify all household members when the window replacement will take place. Schedule the replacement when fewer individuals are in the house, or avoid going into the rooms where the replacement occurs. This reduces noise complaints, confusion, and disturbance. If neighbors are nearby, you should also notify them of the potential for work during the day.
- Plan the Clean-up and Final Checks
Window installers usually clean up as well; however, it is always a good idea to have some vacuum and cleaning materials on standby in case of any missed dust or debris. After the job is complete, inspect all the windows with the installer. Ensure that they open, close, and lock. Make sure that your walls, trim, or siding aren’t damaged. If your installer provides some guarantee, collect and store all the forms safely.
How Long Does It Take to Replace Windows in a House?
It takes time to replace windows, and this depends on several factors. These include:
- Number of windows
- Size of each window
- Replacement method
- Condition of existing frames
Replacing a single window can take anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours. The process may span from a day to several days for a full-house replacement. It’s advisable to discuss the timeline with a professional window installer beforehand to plan accordingly and minimize disruption.
Conclusion
Preparing your home for window replacement involves clearing the area, protecting floors and furniture, disabling alarms, creating a safe path for workers, and keeping pets and children safe. Informing family members and planning for cleanup are also important before the custom window company professionals arrive. The entire process, from manufacturing to installation, can take weeks or months, depending on the type of windows and project complexity. Proper preparation makes the job easier and safer for everyone.
