ᐅ Installing Windows and Doors Yourself

Hello dear homebuilding community,

My name is Felix, and I have a question regarding the installation of windows and doors in a private home. I have decided to renovate my parents' house step by step and am currently considering replacing the windows and doors myself. Since there are many different materials available, I have done some research and have chosen wooden or wood/aluminum windows and doors.

Now I am facing the problem that I cannot find quality information regarding ordering, installation, pricing, etc. for windows and doors. Therefore, I have noted down a few questions that interest me and hope someone from the community can help.

• Is it common to handle ordering and installation yourself, or should I better seek professional help?
• Otherwise, does anyone have experience ordering windows directly from the manufacturer or online?
• If yes, what was your experience like?
• What should be paid attention to?
• How difficult is it to properly install windows and doors yourself?
• Would it perhaps make more sense to hire a company for this?

I am not inexperienced when it comes to DIY and manual work, but I would just like to hear if anyone has attempted this before. I would really appreciate some responses.

Regards,

Felix

FeB&B21 schrieb:

Since there are so many different materials, I have already done some research and decided on wood or wood/aluminum windows and doors.

You only registered here after that, and in the meantime you haven’t read my detailed posts about wood-aluminum windows. Here is just the most important part: if they are high quality, they are more expensive than aluminum windows without wood.

FeB&B21 schrieb:

1. Is it common to install and order them yourself, or should I rather get professional help?
3. How difficult is it to install windows/doors properly yourself?
Would it perhaps make more sense to hire a company for this?

Well, whether it is more satisfying personally is almost a philosophical question. It is difficult enough to write expert instructions about proper installation—at the same time, the "professional helpers" often send installers armed with cordless drills and foam guns who conveniently call in sick when it’s time to install windows. Find a skilled installer (which can take some time, since they are rare) and let them have the trade margin as well.

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11ant schrieb:

You registered here only afterwards, and in the meantime you haven’t read my essays on wood-aluminum windows. Here is a brief summary: if they are high quality, they are more expensive than aluminum windows without wood.

Dear 11ant, thank you very much for your reply. You are absolutely right that I have not yet read your essays on wood-aluminum windows. As I said, I have not decided yet, but I have shortlisted these two options. Where can I find your essays on this topic?

11ant schrieb:

Well, whether it feels more noble is almost a philosophical question. It’s difficult enough to write expert guidelines about proper installation – yet the “professional helpers” often show up armed with cordless drills and expanding foam guns, then call in sick when it’s time to install the windows. Find a good installer (which can take time because they are “hidden gems”) and also allow for their commercial margin.

So, you would advise against installing the windows myself?
I mean, is it really uncommon to install windows on your own?

I have a friend in France who told me that it is quite common there to install windows yourself. But as I said, I am just trying to gather information and get an idea. Since I am definitely not a professional, I will take your opinion seriously and think it over carefully.

I am also installing the windows myself in my new build. Fortunately, I have a father-in-law who has over 30 years of experience installing windows and is leading the process (I am just assisting). Without him, I would never consider doing it. In my opinion, it is even somewhat riskier in a new build due to the complexity of the interfaces compared to renovating an existing building.
I believe the energy efficiency requirements are not as strict in existing buildings.

Installing windows in existing buildings is particularly challenging—removing the old units with "surgical precision" is a task that can easily turn into a frustratingly messy ordeal. But perhaps we should first talk about energy-efficient renovations, which might need to be considered when choosing the new installation depth. Or, even better, discuss the entire property as a whole.

FeB&B21 schrieb:

Dear 11ant, thank you very much for your reply. I haven’t yet read your article about wood-aluminum windows; you are absolutely right there. As I said, I haven’t made a decision yet, but I have shortlisted these two options. Where can I find your article on this topic?

The articles are scattered across various posts, which is why I extracted the main point separately. But since you mention "both" options, maybe we misunderstood each other: did you mean wood or aluminum? In any case, you should explain how you reached your material selection process.

FeB&B21 schrieb:

Is it not common at all to install windows yourself?

Unfortunately, it is common for dealers to recommend installers to customers who, to put it mildly, have the qualifications of seasonal workers. As a result, both the house and the windows can end up so poorly installed that the profession of building surveyor has a very secure future.

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https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/