Window replacement can be a messy prospect. Most homeowners don’t know what to expect when replacing windows.
Dust, old sealant, and paint chips can get everywhere. Contractors will take precautions to protect your property, but that means invasive and ungainly tarps covering your house.
You may be a homeowner who, like many others, is reluctant to replace your windows because you are worried the project, and related cleaning and preparation, will be too much hassle.
What should you expect when hiring a contractor to replace your windows?
Will the contractor keep things neat and tidy?
What’s the right way to prepare a room for window treatment in advance?
A properly done window treatment doesn’t have to involve a lengthy and difficult cleanup. New windows can add value to your house both in terms of visual appeal and energy efficiency and is easily worth the mess. Find out in our blog how to prepare your rooms for their window replacements, what to expect from the contractor, and how to minimize the mess that window replacement might cause.
How Do I Prepare for a Window Installation? (The Right Way)
Before your installers get to your house, there are a few steps you should take to ensure the job will be easy to complete and manage.
Go through this list before the work begins:
1. Find Some Storage Space
There is a lot of debris that will be flying around the room your windows are being replaced in. Ideally, you can move all of your furniture out of the room before work begins. If you have it, utilize the extra storage space to hold your furniture for the duration of the job.
2. Know Where You’ll Dispose of Waste
There will be plenty of waste to dispose of during the job. Contractors may cover this part for you, but it also may be necessary to have your waste management company bring a dumpster in. Make certain before work begins so you don’t have to scramble later.
3. Make Space for the Workers
Try to keep the room clear of any clutter. If possible, empty the room of any furniture or belongings. This will create more space for the workers to move around freely and also prevent any debris from piling up on your furniture.
If emptying the room isn’t feasible, at least ensure the areas immediately around the windows are clear by pushing any furniture off to the side.
4. Clear a Path to the Room
The route that the workers take to the room is also important to consider. The workers will be covered in debris and dirt and may be coming in and out of the house frequently. Just like the room getting the treatment, any paths used to access the room should be relatively free of clutter and any furniture.
5. Ensure No Pets or Children Can Access the Work Area
Keep pets in a closed-off room away from the workers and ensure that any children in the home are supervised and kept away from the workplace.
Precautions Your Installation Team Will Likely Take
An experienced installation team will be aware of the mess that this type of job can make. Here are some precautions you should expect them to take:
1. Drop Cloths
There should be drop cloths covering your floor around the window treatment to collect dust and other debris.
2. Tarps
Tarps can serve the same purpose as a drop-cloth in a disposable way. The installation team should use it to cover any exposed belongings either inside or outside the window.
3. Plastic Wrap
Additionally, your installation team may want to install some temporary plastic wrap on the outside and inside of your window. This can help control dust, especially on windy days.
How to Minimize the Mess
The key to minimizing the mess that a window replacement will cause is to prepare for any eventualities.
A few things to remember about minimizing the mess from your window replacement:
- Consider Buying Your Own Tarps or Plastic Wrap: The installer should be prepared with these, but they are not guaranteed to have enough to cover all of your belongings. If you know you have something nearby that is especially large or requires special attention, purchasing your own tarp and securing it yourself might be a good idea.
- Prepare the Outside of Your Home: Window replacements will spread debris everywhere, both in and outside your home. Consider spreading tarps on your lawn, especially around any waste bins or dumpsters.
- Know Where Waste Will Be Traveling: Plan the route that the workers will take when disposing of debris. Placing tarps along this path can prevent dust build up in these areas.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Let the Fear of a Mess Stop You from Replacing Your Windows
A window replacement is a messy job, there’s no getting around it. As long as wood needs to be sawed or broken off and replaced, sawdust and paint chips will find their way into the air and settle onto the ground inside your home.
The best way to prepare for this mess is by understanding what you’re up against.
Speak with your contractor in advance about the precautions they take to protect your home and belongings.
However, don’t just take their word for it: consider if you have any highly valuable items in or around the room and do your best to remove them completely. If they can’t be moved, then take it upon yourself to ensure they are covered and protected.
Lastly, keep clear of the workers so they have the space and time necessary to complete their job. A good contractor will do their utmost to minimize the mess their work will cause, but be realistic: some dust and messes are unavoidable.
By preparing in advance, you can minimize this mess and make the cleanup a lot easier.
Ready to add value to your home with new windows? Contact us today to schedule a free estimate.