Replace a Steel Frame Basement Hopper Window 

If the frame is in good shape, this is the way to go. I spent a lot of time measuring the openings and making sure I knew the actual size of the window I was ordering. My Home Depot has a good guy in the millwork department. If you get the correct size window, the biggest part of the battle is over. One frame was not square. I had to shave off 1/32 - `/16 of an inch of that window to get it to fit. Thanks for the compliment.

PS: it made things a LOT easier to cut out a plywood pattern for the windows before ordering -- I proved in advance that they'd all fit and could all be leveled to my satisfaction

Thanks for taking the time to add the extra tips, Daniel. It's been a while since I've replaced my windows. I have no regrets on how I did it. I often look at them and still feel a sense of accomplishment.

Thanks for the compliment, Steve. I probably spend too much time putting the videos together, though I am having fun making them. Best wishes for your window replacement. If you have basic skills and follow my guidelines it's not too hard to replace this type of window. Take extra time to ensure the measurements for the opening is correct and verify the actual size of the new window. That is the most critical step.

I have no regrets about how I replaced the windows. I even put a cat door in one of them, which at times I regret. Our boy, Melvin brings live creatures into the house and lets them go. He watches the chaos with delight as we open a door and corral the creature toward the door. They are happy to leave. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-bYA2kcKhmUo.html

Thanks for the compliment. I do my best to make quality videos. It's been a while since I've installed the new windows. I have no regrets about how I installed the new ones. Best wishes for your window installation. If you are measure the opening carefully and get the correct size window it will go smoothly. One of my openings was not quite square. I had to shave a little plastic off of the window to make it fit.

Thanks for the compliment, I do my best to make quality videos.

@@Know-How-Now I successfully confidently installed my basement window that looked just like the one in your video by following your instructions. I saved a lot of money buy doing it myself carefully and perfectly. Every inch was crafted. Thank you.

Way to go on the successful replacement. It's my pleasure to help. You comment has made my day, I hope you have a great day too.

Hi Kyle, it's been a while since I replaced the windows, and I am still pleased that I left the frames in place. Thank you for the suggestion. I was on the fence about Quad and did use it on 2 of the 3 windows. The silicone is sandwiched between the old frame and the window, so it can't peel away. I was hesitant to use the Quad thinking it will be very difficult to remove when the windows need to be replaced again. Whoever replaces those windows with the Quad may be swearing a lot. My experience is that the weather stripping fails after about 20 years. I just replaced all of the weather stripping on my vinyl windows. See link below for video. If the windows are exposed to a lot of sun the plastic and plastic parts becomes brittle. My American Craftsman had a lifetime warranty, but they are not supporting some of the older window models. I was told that any parts associated with the frames are no longer available and if I needed them, too bad. That's how they weasel out of their warranty. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-hzQ9dlM81Lg.html

I went back-and-forth on silicone versus Quad ... will watch and may redo in a year or two if necessary. Thanks for noting that about silicone on vinyl --

I have no regrets about installing the windows this way. A friend who installed windows advised me to do it this way. It was a bit time consuming to clean up the old frames, coat them with the anti rust stuff and paint them. If you take the time to carefully measure and get the right size windows, you will be fine. Thanks for watching, taking the time to comment and subscribing.

@@Know-How-Now You’re welcome. Turns out that we’ll be special ordering. Appreciate your careful preparation, that’s how I do things too. I watched a video of an install where the window frame was ripped out and the new window was held in place with only Big Stuff foam. He was really proud of himself…… Still cringing. Have a great day!

I saw people using that foam stuff too. I'd be furious if I paid someone to replace the windows and they did that. That's why I rarely hire someone to do work at my house unless I know them and the kind of work they do. My neighbor had someone replace her basement windows a few years ago. They did a nice job, I know I asked her how much it cost. I think it was around $800-$900 a window and she got windows that do not open. They are cheaper than a slider type. I know there were two guys and I think it took close to two days to replace 3 windows. After they left, my cat, Melvin was checking out all the windows. I have a cat door for him in one of my windows. I think he was checking to see if the neighbor was putting a cat door in for him! lol. There is a video on how to make the cat door on the channel.

@@Know-How-Now lol! That’s awesome for the kitty. I am going to have to put a cat door in but we have to tear out a monstrous sliding glass door first and install something more secure. That project is definitely coming up soon as well. We are saving a ton of money doing this work ourselves, we have been fixing up old houses for decades. And that just entails replacing what needs to be replaced in keeping the old house and old house in style. Thank you for your videos. I appreciate your comments and input.

Thanks for subscribing, David. Welcome to Know How Now. If the metal frames are in good shape, this is the way to go. Don't short cut measuring the openings/frames and ordering the correct size windows. One of my frames was not square I had to shave about 1/16 of an inch off of one corners of the new window to get it to fit. If the windows are too small you will have a gap between the frame and the face of the window. If I remember correctly, Home Depot's ordering system automatically reduced the window size from a rough opening measurement. Ask questions about the actual size of the window you will be getting. My neighbor just got a quote to replace 5 windows like mine, $3,500. For that price, I think they are going to tear the frames out of the mortar.

You are welcome, Mike. It's been a few years since I've replaced the windows. I have no regrets about the method I used. Measure carefully and you won't have problems installing the windows.

Thanks for the compliment! I always to a lot of research for my "projects". I got the advice to keep the frame in place from a friend who replaced windows for a living. Don't rush the measuring part and you will get great results.

Thanks for the compliment, I do my best to make quality videos. The windows have been installed for a while now. I have no regrets about how I installed them.

You are welcome, Chris. I've seen the green paint in some of the neighbor's houses.

You are welcome! I am very pleased with the out come. Best wishes for your window replacement. If you have some basic skills, measure carefully and take your time it's not that difficult to replace the windows.

You are welcome, Miriam. I spent around $350 for the windows and drills, cutting blade, silicone, etc. One window was only $40, the other two were $81.32 each. They were 15% off and I get another 10% military discount. The non discount price was $106.31 per window. If you have a decent skill set, some patience and take your time. It's not that hard if the frames are in good shape. It did take a while, because I had to prep the frames, coat them with the rust inhibitor and wait a few days for the paint to cure. I had to spend some time with a dremel tool to get those PVC strips to fit in the bottom of the frame. If you choose to pay someone, I'd ask for the details on how they will install the new windows. I have several friends in the trades & construction business. They are all having trouble finding competent craftsmen. A lot of young people do not want to do this type of work. Quality is suffering. I do a lot of my own work because the people I know who are good at this are often too busy to take on smaller projects. I won't hire anyone I don't know, I refuse to pay for shoddy work.

Thanks for the compliment, Carol. If you use the same approach as I did, be very careful about measuring the existing frames and ordering the windows. Don't rush that part.

Thanks, Chris. Don't rush measuring the opening and ordering the windows. You'll need to have a tight tolerance and if the frame isn't square you can have trouble. If you get that part right, the rest is easy. I also have a video showing how to use tapcons: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-kTR0cDX-Kl4.html

Thanks for the compliment. I'm always trying to improve the quality of the videos.

You are welcome. Don't short cut measuring the openings. One of mine was not square. Get the right size window and the install will go smoothly.

I am inspired to replace my old metal frame basement window! Thanks for the excellent tutorial!

You are welcome. Every time I look at the windows I feel a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. It did take a lot of work to install the windows. Best wishes for replacing yours.

I have no regrets about the method I used to replace the windows. For sure it took time, however, the job got done to my standards. I hesitate to hire contractors, often the work is done with the cheapest materials and not so great craftsmanship.... then I have to pay them and often fix what they didn't do right.

Thanks for the compliment. It took a while to get the job done. I have no regrets about how I did it. If I did a crappy job it would grate at me every time I looked at it. It would be worse if I paid someone and they did a crappy job and I'd have to look at it. lol

It's been a while since I've replaced the windows and I have no regrets on how I did it. Don't rush measuring the openings, one of mine was not square. I had to shave a little plastic off the one corner to make it fit. The windows have to been sized so they fit against the frame... there's not a lot of room for error. If you get the size right, it's an easy install. Best wishes for your project.

The guy I was working with was really knowledgeable. He installed windows. You might try going back at another time to talk to someone else or maybe call American Craftsman. I recently replaced all of the weather stripping on some 17 year old American Craftsman windows. I found their warranty people were helpful. There is a video on how to replace the weather stripping on the channel. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-hzQ9dlM81Lg.html

You are welcome, Bob.

Thanks for the compliment. I have no regrets on the method used to replace the windows.

You are welcome!

Thanks for the compliment. I do my best to make quality videos.

You are welcome, Rebecca! It's nice to hear from you again. Thank you for watching the videos.

@@Know-How-Now You're welcome 😊

You are welcome, Tom.

You are welcome, Joe. It's been a while since I replaced the windows. I have to regrets on how I did it. Measure the openings carefully if you are special ordering the new windows. One of my openings/frame was out a square a little. I had to shave off about 1/16 of a inch off of a corner area the window to make it fit.

Thanks for the compliment. I try to post good quality content.

Thanks!

Ummm.... you might want to look at the date the video was published, it's easily found just below the video.

You are welcome. I hope the replacement project goes smoothly.

You are welcome, Cassie! Best wishes to you too in our new weird world.

Thanks for the compliment. I am pleased with the results. If you have some basic construction skills, it's not too hard to replace the windows. The key is to take care when measuring the opening and ordering the correct window size. The next project was a cat door mounted on a window screen frame to fit one of the windows.

You are welcome. Best wishes for replacing your windows. If you have some basic skills, measure carefully and take your time, it's not super difficult to replace one of these windows.

Thanks for the compliment. It's been a while since I've installed the windows. I don't have any regrets about the method I used to install them.

You are welcome! Thanks for subscribing and watching the video.

You are welcome. Best wishes for your project.

Any luck? Thats the point that Im at now too.

Thanks for the compliment, Catherine. I do my best to make quality videos. There are over 200 how to/repair videos, organized by playlist. If you have a few extra moments, please click on the channel name and check it out. Have a great day.

You are welcome. Best wishes for your window replacement.

They were different sizes, I think around 31" x 16"

You are welcome, Bob. It's my pleasure to help.

You are welcome. lol.

If you are good at masonry work you can remove the frames. I wanted to avoid the work of removing the frames (risk causing more damage that expected) and repairing the damage done in the process. If the frames are mostly square and the frame faces are flat, then using the old frames as a stop is the way to go if you are not a professional mason. Do not rush the process of measuring the frame opening and ordering the windows. Make sure you are clear on the size and shape of outer edge of the window when you order it. It has to fit closely into the frame so that it overlaps but still fits inside the frame. I removed one of the window sashes so I could get a good look at the frame before ordering new windows. Look at the window in person at the store before you order them. The two special order windows came from Home Depot. They are American Craftsman 50 Series Buck Single Gliding -2092. They cost $81.32 each. They were on sale and I got an additional 10% military discount. They were easy to fit into the frame. Be warned that the quality was kind of crappy. I had to clean silicone that was slopped on the windows and cut a piece shorter and snap it in place. One of the screens was not square, it took 4 tries to get the factory to make one that was the correct size and square. If you get the right window, the job it not too difficult. I also have videos showing how to use the tapcons and using the rust inhibitor. The videos on the channel are organized by playlist, so it's easy to find videos.

You are welcome!

Are you saying that water is leaking in the windows?

@@Know-How-Now it appears to be leaking through the corner of the metal frame on the inside. I checked and all 6 of my window wells do not have drains. However I have not seen any indication that the well fills up with water. Just that it leaks inside from the frame.

Have you tried a window well cover? I keep covers on all of mine. Also, the downspouts shouldn't be dumping water next to the house. Best practice is to have drain lines connected to the downspouts.

I'm not clear on your question. I installed mine from the inside. The new window is pressed against the old frame. For anything outside, you have to think about how water will run down and the prevailing wind direction/blowing rain.

You are welcome, John. It's been a while since I've replaced the windows. I have no regrets about the method I used. Best wishes for your window replacement.

Thanks for taking the time to write a comment. It's great to hear the video has been helpful. Best wishes on replacing the windows.

I would measure both. You want the window to be able to fit in the opening and you want the face of the window to over lap the frame (It will rest against the frame) without any gaps. Check to see that the frames/openings are square. My frames were not real wide and I did not have a lot of room for error. When ordering ask what the actual size of the window will be. If I remember correctly, Home Depot's system made a change to the size of the window from the rough opening measurements. Take your time with this part, you want to get it right... then you will be on easy street to install the windows.

Hi Mike, the windows came from Home Depot. They are American Craftsman brand. The smaller window was a 70 series window. It is a better quality window and has an energy star rating. It must have been a returned special order window. It cost about $40 - no warranty. The larger windows were of lesser quality. There are 50 series. They cost about $82 each. The windows were on sale & I get a 10% military discount.

Yes, I fastened the windows with tapcons. Best wishes for the window replacement.

Thanks for the compliment, Gary. Best wishes for replacing your windows.

Thanks for the compliment!

Sorry, I do not recall the sizes that I ordered. I know I had to be precise so that they fit against the frames.

I got them from Home Depot. Windows & Doors department special ordered it for me. I think it was called sill plate. As an alternative, you could use aluminum flashing/trim. Harbor Freight sells a small hand bender, so you don't need a break.

What is your issue with putting shims just above the fasteners?

@@Know-How-Now not trying to put down your work you did a really good job I would just suggest that any projects in the future the shim goes in the same spot as the fastener

If it was a door, I would want the shim to be behind the hinges. In this case, I wanted to install them later. If I had a problem with the window operation, then I would have to remove the tapcon to get the shim out to make an adjustment. Taking a tapcon out IMHO is way worse than having the shims above the fastener. My goal was to not have the window shift back & forth in the opening.... possibly working the tapcon loose in the brittle cinder block. I feel that mechanically, putting the shims in those locations accomplishes my goal.

Maybe I am not understanding your question. I explain how I cut the "hinges" to allow for removal of the sash in the beginning of the video.

I used Loctite brand. On the areas where the rust was super heavy, a small amount of rust is breaking through the paint. Perhaps I didn't apply enough of the product. There may be better products for heavy rust.

@@Know-How-Now Thank you for the reply! Love the channel!

You are welcome. I'm having fun making the videos.

I presume you are asking how to open the steel frame type. Mine had a hinge on the bottom and at latch on the top. There were so rusted that that could not be opened without risking breaking the glass.

I wish the best for your installation, Sandra. Though I can't install them, at least the video can help you to "interview" the installers and ask how they plan to install the windows. I sometimes hire people to do work that is too large of a job for me, luckily, I have a few trusted friends in business who I know do good work. There are good contractors out there who are honest and do good work at a fair price...... they are gems.

lol, I'm too picky to do work for other people. Everyone would come up with a cheaper quote.