What Happens During a Window Replacement? A Step-by-Step Guide

A lot of homeowners feel anxious about window replacement day — not because they think something will go wrong, but because they do not know what to expect. How long will it take? Will there be a mess? Do they need to be home?

Here is exactly what happens when our crew arrives at your home, from start to finish.

Once you have signed your contract, we order your windows from the manufacturer. Custom-sized windows typically take 3–5 weeks to arrive. We will call you when they are in and schedule your installation date.

Before we arrive, here is what you can do to prepare:

• Clear the area around each window — move furniture, plants, and valuables at least 3 feet back
• Take down blinds, curtains, and window treatments
• Remove any items from window sills
• Make sure pets are secured in a room away from the work area
• Plan to be home, or have a trusted adult present

You do not need to do anything to the exterior — we handle everything from outside as well.

Our crew arrives at the scheduled time and does a quick walkthrough with you before starting. We confirm which windows are being replaced, point out anything we noticed during the estimate that may affect the job, and answer any last-minute questions.

This is a good time to mention anything specific — a window that sticks, a concern about a particular room, or a preference for how we handle a certain area of your home.

Before any window comes out, we protect your interior. We lay drop cloths on floors and furniture near each work area. We take care of your home the way we would want someone to take care of ours.

On the exterior, we set up ladders and staging as needed. Most single-story and two-story homes do not require scaffolding.

This is where the work begins. For a standard insert replacement (the most common type), we:

1. Remove the interior stops and trim around the window
2. Cut any paint or caulk sealing the old window in place
3. Carefully remove the old sash and frame
4. Inspect the rough opening for rot, damage, or moisture issues

If we find rot or damage in the framing, we will show you before proceeding and discuss the repair. This is not common, but it does happen — especially in older Buffalo homes.

With the opening clean and inspected, we:

1. Test-fit the new window in the opening
2. Apply a continuous bead of sealant around the perimeter
3. Set the window, check for level and plumb, and shim as needed
4. Fasten the window to the frame
5. Apply foam insulation in any gaps between the window and rough opening
6. Apply exterior caulk and sealant

Each window is checked for smooth operation — sashes open and close correctly, locks engage properly, and the tilt-in feature (on double-hung windows) works as it should.

Once the window is set and sealed, we reinstall or replace the interior trim. If you chose to have us install new interior casing, this is when that happens. We caulk the interior perimeter for a clean, finished look.

We clean up as we go and do a final sweep at the end of the job. Old windows, packaging, and debris are loaded into our truck. We vacuum the work areas and wipe down any surfaces that got dusty.

Before we leave, we walk through every window with you to confirm everything looks right and operates correctly.

For a typical home with 10–15 windows, plan on one full day — usually 6–8 hours. Smaller projects (3–5 windows) often wrap up in half a day. Larger or more complex projects may take two days.

We will give you a realistic time estimate before the job starts.

Yes — we ask that a homeowner or trusted adult be present for the walkthrough at the start and the final inspection at the end. You do not need to watch us work all day, but we want you available if questions come up and we want you to sign off on the finished job before we leave.

We install windows year-round in Buffalo. Cold weather is not a problem — our crews are experienced working in WNY winters. We do not install in heavy rain or high winds, but a cold day is not a reason to reschedule.

Your new windows are ready to use immediately. A few things to keep in mind:

• Wait 24 hours before painting or caulking over any areas we finished
• Do not wash the windows for 24 hours to let the sealant cure
• Register your warranty with the manufacturer if required — we will give you the paperwork

Questions after the job? Call us anytime at (716) 694-4000. We stand behind our work.