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A
s your development continues to age, so do the
building components, including windows. Window
replacement; usually considered a homeowner
expense, (determined by your association documents) when
replaced, if not installed correctly can significantly impact the
condition of your building without anyone even knowing about
it. So you have to ask the question as to what depth your
association may want to become involved. Most associations
rely on Architectural Control Guidelines and/or Buildings
and Grounds committees to establish and maintain aesthetic
continuity and ensure compliance within the Association Rules
& Regulations. Should the association consider defining the
correct window type and the installation means and methods
required for your building type? Defining them now, will more
than likely eliminate extensive “hidden and latent” building
damages in the future.
In theory the goal for almost every consumer is to bal-
ance product quality vs. product cost, a delicate balance.
When purchasing windows for replacement an owner has
CONT I NU E S ON PAGE 46
THE WINDOW REPLACEMENT DILEMMA:
New Construction v. Replacement Window
By Chris Tensen, CMCA, AMS
KPI2 Contractors, Inc.
two options; replacement windows or new construction
windows. What’s the difference you ask? The most sig-
nificant difference is the nailing flange that is part of the
new construction window. New replacement windows
are always less costly than new construction windows,
not only because the window is inherently different, but
the installation methods are significantly different as well.
$99.00 for replacement windows sounds like a bargain,
but the short term savings can in the long term, turn out to
be a very costly endeavor.
Replacement windows and new construction windows
can be generally defined as follows:
“New Construction Window” – are windows that will have
a nail flange around the perimeter of the window that works
as a flashing strip to the existing building underlayment system.
When using a new construction window, it will allow for a
proper flashing detail ensuring a water tight finish.
“Replacement Window” – are windows that fit into the
existing window jambs. This means you leave the existing
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