Removing the Whole Window

Hey all, Holli again.

While this post is about removing the whole window in the back parlor,  I would like to start with how this came about. 

Friday we removed the remaining sash from the upstairs sitting area.  (See the post) This window is in really bad shape and is going to have to be completely pulled from the opening.  Not to mention the sashes are shot and not the originals.  This window is really going to be a job.  So, Friday night while we were considering our plan of attack I said, "you know that west window in the back parlor ought to be high on our list of repairs.  It leaks air, badly."  That was it, that's all I said.

Fast forward to Saturday.  We get up early to get a start on the day.  After coffee, Tom goes down and inspects the back parlor window I mentioned the night before.  This is where we will begin...

It doesn't look too bad from here.  Let's see what we have up close.

Looks like the plaster is falling away from the brick.  No, wait.  That's drywall.  Plaster on both sides of the window but drywall underneath and it's cracking away from the wall.  Not looking good now.

Tom came outside, where I was painting a bench and mumbled something about me being right about that window in the back parlor.  Next thing I know I turn around and he has two sashes outside in the work area.  He was taking apart the back parlor window. I was kind of annoyed because he knew I wanted to be there for any window work but we let that slide

By the time I realized what was going on this is what he had done, removed and tagged both sashes. 

 NOTE: It is a good idea to tag all your window panes before you remove them from the sashes. Use a piece of tape and mark the name or number you have given the window, which side of the glass inside or out, finally, mark an arrow to point to the top of the sash.  In this case Tom has also put an arrow pointing to the direction of the muntin.  It is important to try to get the right glass in the right sash in the right position.  Glass is technically a liquid.  It is in constant motion and settles over time making a 'unique home' for itself in each sash. While I don't imagine anything too earth shattering will occur if you mix up a pane or two of glass it would be a good idea to get in the habit of doing this important step.

After inspection we determined that theses sashes were not the originals.  The construction of the windows indicated they were made at a later period in time then when the house was built.

Back inside Tom was inspecting the rest of the window.  The sill is beyond repair and will need replaced.

Below is a view of the sill from outside.

The only problem?  To properly replace the sill the whole window has to come out. We spent the rest of the day deciding on what we were going to do and finishing other projects.  Tom spent the evening reading online about the construction of windows.

Sunday arrives and Tom is raring to go.  First thing to go is the apron. Tom carefully pried each end and the middle until he loosened it enough to get a peek inside.  The apron was nailed to the stool above it so he cut the nails with a sawzall. After that the apron came right off.

Next he removed the stool.  As far as I can recall this was just wedged into the bottom of the frame I don't remember removing any nails to get this out.  It was in there pretty tight and once again Tom turned to his trusty pry bar to assist.  Back and forth from one end to the other gently prying.  Care must be taken not to break off the two little pieces that wrap around under the window casings.

Next Tom carefully removed all the window casings using a block of wood to pry against when necessary to avoid damaging the window.

Finally, we were left with just the frame in the opening ready to slide right out.  Unfortunately, the lack of space dictated my evacuation and I was unable to get any photos of the actual frame extraction. There was nothing actually holding it in so it slid out with a little coaxing from Tom and our sons..  This is what we had when I was allowed back in.

 And this...

That is the whole window frame.  The bottom end is towards us.  There is supposed to be a piece of wood across there.  Oh look, there it is, rotted in the bottom of the brick opening.

It all went very well.  No unexpected twists, no damage or breaks to the wood.  The removal took about two hours.

Well, that's it for now.  Follow this link to our photos to see more of the work in action.  Let me know if you have any questions, and be sure to check back soon and see how this window is progressing.

Take care,

Holli