"Polyurethane caulk seems to weld itself permanently onto my hands and everything else nearby."
Haha, you're not kidding—polyurethane caulk is basically industrial-strength superglue disguised as sealant. I've had shirts permanently retired because of that stuff. Totally agree on the flashing tape too; gravity drainage sounds nice in theory, but water doesn't always follow the rules. Learned that lesson after a storm left me scrambling with towels at 2 a.m. Better safe than soggy...
Yeah, polyurethane caulk is relentless—had to learn the hard way myself. Another thing I'd add is don't underestimate how long it'll actually take. You think you'll knock out a window or two in an afternoon, but then you find rot or uneven framing and suddenly it's a weekend project. Also, double-check your measurements before ordering windows... nothing worse than realizing you're off by half an inch after delivery. Been there, done that, unfortunately.
I get what you're saying about the timing... but honestly, isn't it better to just budget extra time from the start rather than assume it'll be quick? I'm planning my first window replacement soon, and I'm already assuming I'll find some hidden mess underneath. Also, about measurements—wouldn't it be safer to have someone experienced double-check them instead of relying only on your own measurements? Seems like a small hassle compared to dealing with returns or reorders...
Fair point about budgeting extra time, but honestly, sometimes diving right in without overthinking it works out fine too. When I replaced mine, I measured myself twice (okay, maybe three times...) and it ended up spot-on. Sure, expert double-checking sounds safe, but it's not rocket science—just measure carefully and trust yourself a bit. Worst-case scenario, you learn something new and have a good story for later, right?
Yeah, measuring carefully usually does the trick, but honestly, the bigger headache for me was dealing with unexpected rot once the old windows came out. You checked your frames for any hidden surprises yet?
Yeah, hidden rot can definitely throw a wrench in things. Good call bringing that up. I've seen plenty of DIY window replacements where folks measured perfectly, ordered the windows, and then got blindsided by rotted sills or framing once the old units came out. If you haven't checked yet, I'd suggest poking around with a screwdriver or awl—especially at the corners and bottom edges—to see if there's any soft wood lurking beneath the surface. Better to find out now than mid-installation when you're already committed.
If you do find rot, don't panic—it's usually fixable. Just cut out the damaged sections and replace them with fresh lumber treated for moisture resistance. And make sure to seal everything up tight afterward with flashing tape or a good-quality caulk to prevent future issues. It's an extra step, but trust me, you'll thank yourself later when your new windows stay solid and leak-free for years.
"Better to find out now than mid-installation when you're already committed."
Yeah, totally agree with this. Another thing worth mentioning is to double-check your rough opening measurements after removing the old window. I've seen plenty of DIYers measure just the window itself without accounting for shims or insulation space. Leaving yourself about a half-inch gap on each side makes installation smoother and helps with insulation later. Learned that one the hard way a few years back...
Good point about leaving space for shims—seen too many windows jammed tight into openings. Had a client once who measured perfectly but forgot to check if the framing was square. Ended up having to redo half the job...lesson learned.
"Had a client once who measured perfectly but forgot to check if the framing was square."
Yeah, squareness is easy to overlook. When I replaced my kitchen window last summer, I triple-checked measurements and thought I was golden. But when I dry-fit the window, one corner stuck out awkwardly—turns out the framing had settled unevenly over time. Ended up spending half a day shimming and adjusting. Curious now, do older houses typically have more issues with framing being out of square, or is it just random luck?
Older homes can definitely shift more over time, but honestly, I've seen plenty of newer builds with framing that's off too. Sometimes it's rushed construction or just sloppy workmanship... age isn't always the culprit.