- 1). Measure the window opening (with the old windows still in) vertically and horizontally. Take the measurements from inside the tracks where the window sashes sit, moving the sashes up and down as needed to access the tracks. Subtract ½ inch from both the vertical and horizontal measurements, and use that adjusted dimension to order a vinyl replacement window. Leave the old windows in place until the new ones arrive.
- 2). Pry off the thin strip of wood trim from around the interior perimeter of the window opening, using a hammer and pry bar. Keep it intact as you remove it. Set it aside.
- 3). Pull the sashes out of the opening. If there are ropes or chains holding them, cut them with a wire cutter, letting the window weights fall inside the wall. Clear the inside surface of the opening of any nail heads or other obstructions.
- 4). Stand the vinyl window unit in the opening, bottom-first, and push the top in until it is stopped by the trim that's around the exterior border of the opening.
- 5). Hold a level to the side of the new unit and shim under and around it until it's level and plumb. Secure it with mounting screws, shooting them through the screw holes in the sides of the unit and out into the surrounding frame.
- 6). Spray foam insulation into the gap around the perimeter of the window unit, sealing it off.
- 7). Re-install the thin trim border around the inner edge of the opening, hiding the gap and trapping the new unit in place. Caulk around both edges of the trim.
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