Window And Door Replacement For Your Stucco Home
The do it yourself attitude in each of us can bring about unnecessary difficulties. Do you live in a stucco home? Do your windows or doors need replacing soon? You may want to temper the DIY attitude for just a moment before you attempt these repairs yourself.
This is not an attempt to sell you on products and services. The idea here is to give you a general idea of why you should consider seeking professional stucco contractors. When taken into consideration the difficulty in working with stucco, especially when replacing windows and doors, one may be apt to change their mind.
So, let’s begin by looking at common troubles that arise when people attempt these repairs themselves.
As you begin to remove the window, or door, damage inevitably occurs to the surrounding stucco. This is not to say that it happens in every case. However, it is a common manifestation. As nails are removed, and placed, damage can, and usually does, occur.
Take for example replacing a door. Do you have a working knowledge of concrete? Well, this is a list of some of the items that are necessary to repair the stucco when replacing a door:
– Galvanized roofing nails
– Roofing felt
– Wire mesh
– Close to a 100 pound bag of Portland cement
– 25 pound bag of hydrated lime
– Mason sand
Should we continue? This is approximately half of the items necessary. What should concern the DIY in you is the level of expertise necessary to execute these stucco repairs so that no further damage occurs.
Well, sure the door replacement is difficult, you may be saying to yourself. But a window? If I purchase the right size it surely will not be as difficult?
The challenges that are presented to someone who attempts to replace their windows in a stucco home are numerous. First, let’s address the potential lead problem.
If your home was built prior to 1978, any of the trim around the windows may have poisonous lead paint. Now, it is not so much the lead based paint that is the concern here. Lead contaminated dust is. So, as you are removing the old window, and dealing with the trim, surely there will be some level of dust. Are you safely prepared to deal with this potentially life altering containment?
Secondly, are you ready to tackle the issues that arise with the frames? Take this into account, many window professionals will not do a full-frame window replacement in stucco homes. The reason? For fear of ruining the stucco.
Are you trained to properly fit a new window inside of the old frame? A tip of the hat to any DIY who can tackle these types of projects and successfully complete them. For most of us, when we see that many professionals in this line of work turn down these jobs, we are left to find the specialists.
Once you have decided that this job is not for you, the next step is finding the right company to do it. There are several trains of thought in the best ways to find the right contractor. We would like to be helpful, so here is a list of tips in your search for a stucco and stone company that replaces windows and doors.
Create a List
For example, if you reside in the Denver, Colorado region start out by asking around. Talk to neighbors, friends, coworkers, and family in the area. Then, go online and do some searches. Get a list of a few companies that seem reputable.
Check Them Out
Now that you have your choices narrowed down, research them before you make a commitment. The level of expertise required to replace your windows or doors (or both as the case may be) in your stucco home is high. There are too many horror stories out there. The last thing you want, and need, is a poorly done job which leads to moisture inside your home.
The internet has made our lives so much easier. Meticulous research on reviews will pay dividends in a job well done and peace of mind during the work.
Compare and Decide
Look for experience with stucco installers. Ask questions. Is the company willing to come out to your home and offer an estimate? Do they instill confidence? If your home was built prior to 1978, ensure that you hire a lead-safe renovator (check federal and state laws on this).
Conclusion
There is nothing wrong with tackling the project of window or door replacement for your stucco home. That is, if you are experienced. If you are not, are you willing to go through the tedious process of stucco repair?
Regardless of how many people reside in your home, be it just you or a family of 4, each of you deserves to live in a safe environment. The dangers that come from moisture entering a home from poorly installed windows and doors are not necessary. Hire the right people to do the job correctly the first time.