New Construction Windows

New Construction Windows vs Replacement Windows

Was Your Home Built After 1990 With Vinyl Windows and Vinyl Siding?

Approximately 95% of all window replacement projects are "replacement windows" but there are some situations when replacing existing windows is considered a "new construction windows" project. What is the difference?

With "Replacement Windows", the old windows are replaced from the inside of the home but the existing inside window trim and outside window trim stays in place.

Many homes built AFTER 1990 with vinyl windows and vinyl siding need “New Construction Windows” when replacing the original windows. The reason is that builders started installing the windows from the outside and the windows have a built-in channel for the vinyl siding to tuck into. There is no exterior window trim on the home. The exterior window trim is a part of the window itself. The pictures below show this. *** These pictures are from when the home was originally built in the 1990's.

Straight on view of a new construction window. The exterior window trim is a part of the window itself.

Side view of a new construction window showing the vinyl siding tucked into a pocket that is part of the window.

The problem with this type of home building is that when it is time to replace the windows, the ONLY way to get the old windows out is to first remove the vinyl siding. Scaffolding needs to be set up and the windows get installed from the outside of the home. Then after the new windows get installed, you need to put all the vinyl siding pieces back on in the exact same locations they came off. It is a LOT more labor. When this is required, we refer to the process as “New Construction Windows”. It is as much a description of the installation process as it is the windows themselves.

*** It also means that the inside trim around the windows needs to be replaced. The opening for the windows needs to be taken all the way down to the studs in order to provide the required waterproofing. The existing inside window cannot be put back on because it will get damaged during the removal process.

New Construction Windows Cost

Unfortunately if your home needs new construction windows, the cost is about double the cost of replacement windows with all the additional labor cost + trim cost.

If your home needs new construction windows as noted above, the estimated TOTAL cost including new inside trim is about $1,500 installed per window.

* Includes labor to remove & reinstall the vinyl siding.

* Includes all new interior wood window trim.

* Optional internal grids are an additional cost.

This is usually only needed on homes built AFTER 1990 when the builder installed vinyl windows and vinyl siding.