Are you thinking about getting a full window replacement this summer? With all the planning and details involved, you’ll need to work with a trusted professional to ensure it gets done successfully. Once you hire the right contractor for the job, they’ll manage everything and guide you through every step of the process. However, like every other home improvement project, it is guaranteed to get messy and noisy.
Dust, dirt and debris are always to be expected when having new windows installed in your home. No matter how much experience your hired installer has, they can’t guarantee a mess-free replacement. Just because there won’t be any paint or any other liquid material involved doesn’t mean your home stays clean throughout the installation process. But you should also keep in mind that the window installers are working carefully while they’re on your property and will do their best to prevent dust and debris from affecting your home too much.
Preparing Your Home
As long as proper precautions are taken, the clean-up process won’t be tedious once the replacement project is complete. Here’s how you can start the right prep work for your project.
- Schedule the best time for the job. As soon as you find the right contractor and settle on a quote, you should discuss when to schedule your window replacement. While you can easily schedule the project on any summer day because of the predictable weather, you should still consider how it can impact your daily routine. Even if it’s only a few windows, the project can still disrupt you while working.
Make sure to take time off work on the day of the installation so that you can prepare your home once the window installers arrive. If you have children or pets, you’ll need to make arrangements for them to stay safe while the project is underway.
- Protect your furniture, appliances, and electronics. If possible, try to move some of your electronics away from the window that’s about to be replaced. You may also want to move some of the smaller objects such as vases and lamps in case they might get in the way of the replacement project. As for the bigger furniture and appliances, you can use a tarp to keep them safe and clean from dust and debris.
- Use tarps, plastic coverings, and drop cloths. Typically, professional window installation contractors spread drop cloths and tarps around each window’s vicinity. This helps catch most of the debris coming from the removal and replacement process and makes it easier to clean up afterward. Tarps can also be laid on your yard to protect your plants, flowers, grass, and the rest of your landscaping from damage during replacement. They may also use plastic wrap coverings to protect other items and furniture such as sofas, seats, beds, shelves, and even flooring. Once the installation is complete, they’ll just roll up the plastic covering and dispose of it properly.
- Remove treatments and other accessories. These include curtains, draperies, sheers, blinds, shades and so on. Anything hanging around your windows must be removed while they’re being replaced as they can easily get in the way of the installation. Other hanging fixtures and wall decorations such as photos and artwork should also be removed and stored in a safe place as they can get dirty and damaged during installation.
- Clear a pathway for the workers. When a team of installers is shuffling in and out of your home, they can take up a lot of space in a single room just to remove and replace windows. In some cases, some interior doors may need to be removed from their hinges just to make more space! If you have a few large windows to replace, you’ll need to be sure that they can be safely carried in and out of your home. This can be done by tracing a pathway from the entrance that the workers can follow easily, but don’t forget to clean out anything in the halls and doorways to free up more space. This includes small furniture, plants, area rugs, and anything else that can potentially be damaged or cause an accident. Doing this also cuts down on the mess made during the window installation and makes the whole process faster and more efficient!
- Place fans throughout your home. If you want to minimize dust from accumulating and circulating throughout your home, you should force them outside by placing fans around the windows. They must be facing outside or away from the interiors so that they can blow most of the dust outdoors. This can work under normal, sunny weather conditions, but it can backfire on windy days as they can be blown back.
- Make use of extra storage. Not all of your items and belongings can be covered and protected by drop cloths and tarps, so they’ll need to be moved elsewhere. Find a place in your home that has adequate storage space where the workers won’t usually pass through, such as a garage, basement, or attic. You can also consider moving certain items to a portable storage container that can be rented out during installation.
- Cover your HVAC vents. Normally, the HVAC system won’t be in use during the installation. It may impact your indoor air quality and comfort for a while, but this also prevents the dust and debris from circulating throughout your home. And before you get your Direct windows installed, you should check if your vents are closed properly. They should also be closed and sealed with tape as the dust and debris can still get in otherwise. When this happens, you can easily cause allergy triggers and affect your home’s indoor air quality.
- Keep the other doors closed. To keep the dust from spreading in your home during the installation, you should close the doors to the rooms that don’t need to be accessed by the workers. The idea is to keep as much dust and debris contained in a single area so that cleaning it after the work’s done won’t be as difficult.
High-Quality Window Installation from STL Windows Direct
For high-quality window installations, turn to STL Windows Direct. As the leading source of Direct windows, we offer only the finest materials on the market that meets and exceeds product standards. You can count on our design and installation teams to make sure you get beautiful and durable windows that provide lasting value for your home, are capable of protecting your home against the elements, and ensure consistent indoor comfort all year round. And once the project is complete, you can expect our team to clean up the work area before they leave your premises.
Let us help you get started with your project by calling (314) 690-5800 or filling out our contact form to schedule a free estimate.