When I swapped out my old drafty windows last fall, I was surprised at how much prep work there was before the installers even showed up. Here’s what I did: cleared out furniture, took down curtains/blinds, removed anything from the sills, and put drop cloths down (dust gets everywhere, trust me). I also covered my vents to keep debris out. Did I miss anything? Anybody got tricks for keeping the mess down or making sure nothing gets damaged?
I also covered my vents to keep debris out. Did I miss anything?
You’re on the right track. I learned the hard way to tape off doorways with plastic too—dust has a mind of its own. Once had a rogue screw end up in my dog’s water bowl… no clue how. Did you do anything about outside landscaping? My flower beds took a beating from ladders.
Plastic over doorways is a game changer—learned that after my first window swap, when dust got everywhere, including inside a closed dresser drawer (still not sure how). For landscaping, I put down some old sheets and cardboard to protect the beds. Not perfect, but it helped keep the mulch in place. One thing I’d add: if you’re into energy savings, check for gaps or cracks around the frames before install—quick bit of caulk can make a difference. Sometimes installers rush that part.
I get the plastic-over-doorways thing, but honestly, I had better luck just taping off the actual window openings and using a shop vac as I went. Less plastic waste, and it kept the mess more contained. Anyone else find the caulk part tricky? I always wonder if too much can actually trap moisture if you’re not careful...