Frame replacement is a process that, with the right preparation, can be done quickly, cleanly, and without hassle. How to prepare your home, what repairs will arise, how long the house will remain open, what is the best period for frame replacement, these and everything else you need to know before, during, and after the installation of new frames – windows.
Preparation of the area before frame installation
Before the installation crew arrives, there are a few basic steps that help avoid delays and damages:
- Discuss exactly what will happen with the alarm traps and if a technician needs to be present for the alarm. See more in alarms and contacts on frames.
- Discuss several days in advance with the installation crew supervisor whether you will need the assistance of other crews, such as an electrician for electric roller shutters, a plasterer for the old wooden roller shutter boxes, a plasterer for repairs, a painter or a marble worker, and when they will be needed.
- The new frames may be delivered to your home even the day before, so find out when the frames will arrive and where they will be stored.
- Ensure there is available parking space for a crane, hoist, or the installation crew’s truck.
- Remove curtains, furniture within a 2-meter radius, as well as fragile items that risk breaking or being damaged due to the work, from the frames to be replaced.
- Clear shelves and walls near the work areas.
- In case of dismantling wooden frames, cover surfaces or sensitive appliances as dust will be generated.
- Check if the crew protects your space by covering the necessary surfaces. If the crew does not have the appropriate means, lay down cardboard or floor plastic in front of the frames. Fenestral, in every project it undertakes, brings all the necessary means to ensure maximum protection of your space.
- Agree in advance who will be responsible for the removal of old frames and debris, and if a recycling bin is required.
- If the house does not have electricity, discuss how the frames will be installed.
- Inform the apartment building that work will be carried out.
Proper communication and preparation before frame installation save us time, money, and potential disruption.
Frame Transport – lifting with a crane or hoist
The lifting and transport of frames is the responsibility of the manufacturer. However, in some projects, additional actions may be required:
- Coordination with neighboring apartments.
- Securing parking space for the crane or hoist
- Access from balconies or common areas.
- Temporary removal of obstructing items, raising awnings if they interfere, etc.
The crew assesses the conditions and guides you, ensuring that the frames arrive intact without straining their mechanisms or glass.
Does the house remain open during the days of frame replacement?
A question that concerns anyone deciding to change their frames is whether the house remains open (without frames – windows at night) during the work days and if it will be habitable.
The answer is that in 99% of cases, the house does not remain open and without windows. Frame replacement is done gradually, room by room. So, upon finishing one room, we move to the next, and in no case do we leave the installation of any frame unfinished. If we cannot install all frames in one day, we stop at noon (quiet hours) and continue the next day. Therefore, the house is not entirely exposed and does not remain open at night. In total, each room will be without windows for a maximum of 1-2 hours!
What hours do frame installation crews work?
The hours that frame installation crews work are usually morning hours that are not considered quiet hours by law. So, frame installation work usually takes place between 08:30 – 14:30, as after that, the crew will not be able to drill due to the noise caused by the drills. At 14:30, work stops and continues in the afternoon or the next working day.
Can the frame installation crew work on Saturday?
With proper arrangement, frame installation work can be done on Saturday but not on Sunday, which means that if the work is not completed on Saturday, the installation will continue on Monday.
The damages and repairs that arise during the dismantling – replacement of old frames depend on the type of frames to be replaced (wooden, aluminum) as well as the age of the casings and plasters. Some of these are covered by the new energy-efficient frames, some are undertaken by the aluminum workers, and some require the assistance of other crews (electricians, marble workers, etc.). Read more in our article repairs during frame dismantling.
Logically, aluminum frame manufacturers do not undertake the repairs that arise during frame replacement, as most of them (painting, electrical work, drywall installation, etc.) require specialized knowledge and should be handled by professionals. Nevertheless, and for the convenience of consumers, many frame manufacturing and installation companies undertake part of these or recommend their partners. It is essential to be informed before choosing an aluminum frame manufacturer about what kind of repairs will arise in your project and what exactly your manufacturer undertakes.
What permits are needed for frame installation?
In case of simple frame replacement (without demolition – construction or opening modification), no permit or small-scale permit is required.
Are false frames needed during frame replacement?
False frames are not needed for frame replacement, except in some special cases of recessed wooden frames (read more on false frames – pre-frames).
Do we need new marble sills when replacing frames?
In most cases, new marble sills are not required when installing new energy-efficient frames. Exceptions include the following cases:
- if they are broken, short, or problematic
- if they are completely missing
- in cases of recessed frames, if the marble sills are missing inside the tunnels (hole – gap) of the sliding frames, because problems will arise with recessed frames that leak water.
What and how to check for correct frame installation?
Correct frame installation alone is not enough. It is important to perform specific checks to ensure their proper functioning and durability over time. See how you can check all types of frames and shutters in our article checking installed frames. Alternatively, see how to check if you received energy-efficient glass.
Cleaning the area and removing debris
After the completion of the work, a basic cleaning of the area is carried out. This includes sweeping around the frames and removing residues from tracks and surfaces. Fenestral’s crew always brings the appropriate equipment to leave your space clean and tidy.
Protective materials are removed from the frames and glass, while for final cleaning, suitable products such as mild cleaners or alcohol can be used where necessary. Read more about frame maintenance and cleaning in this article https://fenestral.gr/katharismos-koufomaton-parathyron-rolon-siton-pantzourion/.
Finally, Fenestral’s crew removes the resulting debris and, depending on the agreement, either takes it away or deposits it in debris bins that you have provided. In any case, old frames should not be thrown into garbage bins, as in addition to being prohibited, various dangers lurk for the residents of the area (e.g., broken glass, hazardous pigments, etc.).
What documents should the frame manufacturer provide you after installation?
When you purchase and install frames, the manufacturer is legally obliged to provide you with specific documents. These prove both the transaction and the quality and performance of the frames.
- Delivery Note of the frames
- Cash register receipt or invoice.
- Declaration of Performance for Frames, with data such as thermal insulation, air permeability, watertightness, wind resistance, and sound insulation of the frames (see more on what should be stated in the declaration of performance for frames).
- Declaration of Performance for Glazing Units, with information on the type of glazing units, their properties, and their technical characteristics (see more on what should be stated in the declaration of performance for glass).
- Declaration of Performance for Shutters for roller shutters or blinds (see more on what should be stated in the declaration of performance for shutters).
- Warranties for the proper functioning of aluminum frames and for each of their parts separately (mechanisms, locks, accessories, glazing units, roller shutters, screens, electrostatic painting, see more about the frame warranties we offer).
- The CE marking, which indicates that the final product complies with European standards
Which are the appropriate months for someone to proceed with replacing their frames?
Most people believe that spring and summer are the ideal periods for frame replacement. In reality, however, the smartest choice to proceed with replacing your frames is during the autumn and winter months.
From November to April, demand is lower, which means better prices, more immediate service, and greater attention to your project. Frame manufacturers and installation crews have more time to deal with every detail, thus ensuring a higher quality result.
There is no reason to worry about weather conditions and cold. The replacement is done quickly and organized, with each old frame being replaced immediately. The house is exposed for a minimal time, usually not more than 2-3 hours. If the replacement lasts more than one day, the house does not remain open, so it is fully habitable without any problem.
