Been watching a bunch of videos on putting in new windows, and I keep seeing two main ways—one where you rip out the whole old frame, and another where you just swap in new sashes into the existing frame. My house is from the 60s, so it’s got those old wood frames (some are a little sketchy, not gonna lie). The full tear-out looks like more work (and probably more mess?), but maybe it solves more problems long-term? On the other hand, the insert style seems less hassle if your frames aren’t totally trashed.
Has anyone tried both? Is one really better for insulation or drafts? I’m not super handy but willing to give it a shot if it’s not too wild. Curious what’s worked for people—would you go all-in with a full replacement or stick to the insert method?
I’ve been down this road with my ‘72 ranch, and honestly, both methods have their headaches. I started out thinking I’d just do the insert route—seemed way less intimidating, especially since my frames weren’t completely falling apart (just a little “character,” as I told myself). The inserts definitely made things quicker and there was a lot less dust flying around. Plus, if you’re not super handy, it’s more forgiving—less stuff to line up and shim.
But then in the living room, one window frame had some rot hiding under old paint. Ended up doing a full tear-out there. It took longer and yeah, the mess was real… but after seeing how much insulation was missing around that old frame, I kind of wished I’d gone all-in everywhere. The draft difference is noticeable in winter.
If your wood frames are solid-ish, inserts are fine for now. But if they’re sketchy or you want to really boost insulation (or just get rid of any hidden surprises), full replacement is worth considering—even if it’s a pain. Just be ready for some cursing and maybe discovering things you didn’t want to see behind those old frames...