Essential Steps to Prepare Your Home for Window Installation

Your home’s window installation is coming up soon, but is your home ready? Preparing your home before the replacement window installation team arrives is a crucial step that can significantly impact the overall success and efficiency of the project.

Why Prepare Your Home for the Installation Crew

When you are ready and have everything in place for the installation crew, the window replacement or installation tends to go smoothly and quickly, minimizing disruptions to your daily routine. On the other hand, failing to prepare your home properly can lead to delays, complications, and even additional costs during the window installation process.

If the necessary preparation isn’t done, the installation crew may encounter obstacles that slow down their work or prevent them from efficiently installing replacement windows. This can include limited access to the windows, cluttered work areas, or unaddressed issues around the window frames. Such problems can extend the timeline of the project, causing inconvenience for you and your family. Moreover, an unprepared space can increase the risk of damage to your belongings or the interior of your home during the installation process.

Proper preparation also helps ensure that the installation crew can focus entirely on the technical aspects of the window replacement installation without unnecessary interruptions. This leads to a higher-quality finished product and reduces the likelihood of errors. Ultimately, being proactive and ready for the installation process not only saves time but also contributes to a safer, more efficient, and more satisfactory experience when installing replacement windows. Taking the time to prepare your home properly is an investment that pays off in a smooth and successful window installation project.

Preparing Your Home for Window Work in 7 Steps

Most likely, your window installers have already described some of the most important things that need to be done in order to prepare your home for window installation successfully. In addition to their suggestions, these tips can help you get ready for your upcoming home improvement.

1. Clear the Area Around the Window Exterior

Your window installers will need to access your windows from the outside during your window installation. Landscaping, furnishings and other items can all get in the way and prevent your window installers from accessing your house.

Move Landscaping for Window Installation

Your window installers will work around your landscaping to the best of their ability. However, any landscaping that grows up around your windows or blocks the windowpane may need to be pruned back or moved. Confirm with your window installers before altering your landscaping, to ensure this needs to be done. If your installers can work around your landscaping, they’ll let you know!

Relocate Furnishings and Obstacles

Anything that can be easily moved should be moved to make the job easier for your window installers. Items that need to be moved may include patio furniture, planters and pots. Most likely, if garden boxes have been attached to your windows, you’ll need to move those as well. Talk to your window installers to find out for sure.

2. Clear the Area Around the Window Interior

Your window installers will also need to access your windows from the inside of your house. Furniture and personal items that have been pushed up against your windows will need to be moved to the center of the room to ensure access to your windows. You’ll also need to keep the work area free of obstacles – so keep a walkway to your windows clear.

3. Prepare for Window Installation and Protect Your Flooring

Your window installers will do their best to protect your flooring. They may attach booties to their shoes to prevent your floors from getting dirty. However, you may also take extra steps to protect your flooring. This is definitely a good idea if you have a rug or carpeting that may hide dust from your window installation, or if you’re worried about your hardwood floors becoming scratched.

To protect your floors, you may lay down a tarp or canvas drop cloth. Your window installers may bring floor protection as well, but it never hurts to be prepared. If you’re wondering what your window installers will do to protect your floors during installation, or if you should be taking extra measures to protect your floors, talk to your sales representative before the day of your installation.

4. Remove Window Dressings

Window dressings get in the way during your window installation. Take down your curtains, curtain rods, drapes, blinds and other window treatments before the day of the installation. You can put them back up later – or this may be the perfect opportunity to get new window treatments.

5. Protect Your Belongings and Home

Window installation can create dust, which can then settle in the cracks and crevices around your home. Take down any paintings and hanging art around your windows to protect them from dust. This also prevents your hanging art from getting in the way of the window installers.

Cover furnishings and other objects in the room with plastic sheets to prevent them from being affected by dust. This is especially important for the furnishings that are the closest to your windows, but even furnishings that are far away from your windows can benefit from being covered.

6. Make Arrangements for Kids and Pets

Window installation can be very loud, and that can be disturbing to children and pets. Make arrangements to keep pets out of your house – and away from your yard, since your window installers will be found in the inside and outside parts of your house. This is especially important if you have kids who need to take naps during the day, or pets who feel anxiety around strangers and loud noises.

You don’t even have to be in the house during your window installation, but if you plan to be gone while your installers are doing their work, make arrangements with your installers before the day of the installation. You may need to give your installers access to a key so they can let themselves in to your house. If not, you’ll have to plan to be at the house at the very beginning of the installation, and at the very end.

7. Improve Accessibility In Your Home

Security systems and alarm systems can make problems during your window installation. Make arrangements to have these systems disabled while your window installation is taking place.

Ensure that your window installers will be able to access your house. Gates and other obstacles should be opened, or your installers will need instructions to get past the gates when they arrive.

FAQs About the Window Replacement Process and How to Prepare

1. What should I do to prepare the exterior area around my windows?

Before your replacement window installation, it’s important to clear the area around the windows outside your home. Your installation crew will need easy access to the window exteriors, so any landscaping, patio furniture, planters, or garden boxes near the windows should be moved or pruned back. While installers will do their best to work around existing landscaping, some adjustments may be necessary to ensure a smooth installation. Be sure to confirm with your installation team whether any specific landscaping needs to be trimmed or relocated.

2. How do I prepare the interior space for window replacement?

Inside your home, furniture and personal items should be moved away from the windows to create a clear workspace for the installation crew. This usually means pushing furniture toward the center of the room and keeping walkways to the windows free of obstacles. A clutter-free area allows the installers to work efficiently and reduces the risk of accidental damage to your belongings.

3. How can I protect my floors and furnishings during the window installation?

Window replacement can generate dust and debris, so protecting your floors and furnishings is essential. While the installation crew will typically wear booties and may bring floor protection, it’s a good idea to lay down tarps or drop cloths yourself, especially if you have delicate hardwood floors or rugs. Additionally, covering nearby furniture with plastic sheets helps prevent dust from settling on your belongings. Removing wall hangings and artwork near windows is also recommended to avoid dust accumulation or accidental damage.

4. Should I remove window treatments before the installation?

Yes, all window treatments (including curtains, blinds, drapes, and curtain rods) should be taken down before the installation day. These can get in the way during the window replacement process and may be damaged if left in place. Removing them beforehand also gives you a fresh start to consider new window treatments after your new windows are installed.

5. What arrangements should I make for pets, children, and home accessibility?

Window replacement can be noisy and disruptive, so it’s best to arrange for pets and children to be out of the house during installation. Pets should be kept away from both inside and outside work areas for their safety and to avoid stress. If you won’t be home during the installation, coordinate with your installers ahead of time to provide access, such as a key or gate code. Also, remember to disable any security or alarm systems that might interfere with the installation crew’s access. Clearing gates or other obstacles will help the team work efficiently without delays.

Have More Questions to Prepare for Window Installation? Call Today

At FAS Exteriors, we help homeowners like you prepare for window installation. We want your window installation to be a success, so we’ll naturally do everything we can to give you the information you need. Our team is fully dedicated to ensuring your complete satisfaction throughout every step of the window replacement installation process. We stand behind the quality of our products and workmanship with a comprehensive warranty, giving you peace of mind long after the project is complete. If you have any additional questions or need further guidance about preparing for your window installation, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Our knowledgeable and friendly team is here to help you make the best decisions for your home and ensure a smooth, hassle-free experience from start to finish. Please contact us today. We’re happy to help!