New or Used? We Explore the Differences between New Construction Windows and Replacement Windows

Posted: Jan 16, 2013
Author: Crown Builders

Whether you’re considering a new build house or simply an upgrade to your existing home, if you’re talking about windows you’ll probably hear the manufacturer or your contractor talk about either new construction windows or retrofit windows as your option.  What you may not know is that you can use either window for either scenario, whether it’s a new home or not, and that each option has its advantages and downsides.

New construction windows often have a nail fin attached to them, which you use to attach to the outside of the stud before nailing the entire window into the frame of the home.  Other exterior materials, like siding, are then installed around the window to accommodate its placement.  You can also use new construction windows in a replacement home – you simply remove the exterior materials around the window and install the new window accordingly.  Obviously the downside to this is the higher cost of the renovation.

Replacement windows are often referred to as “flush fin” windows, and are basically a new window with the nail fins removed.  If you have a house exterior that would prove problematic to remove in order to accommodate a new construction window, these types of windows may be your best option.  There are two types of these windows, the first being “flush fin,” which is generally used in stucco exteriors, and “block frame,” which is typically used in homes made of brick.  Your window dealer and contractor can take you through the options you have for your new window purchase and help you make the right choice for your home.