Why windows are a siding job
Windows are the most common place for water to enter a wall. Dave has spent about 40 years siding houses, and a good share of the rot he repairs starts at a window or slider. So a window is a flashing and weatherproofing job first, and a glass job second.
A pretty new window set into a poorly flashed opening will rot the wall around it. A well flashed one will outlast the siding. That is the difference our work aims for.
When to replace
- Fogged glass between the panes, which means the seal has failed
- Water stains or soft wood on the sill, interior or exterior
- Windows or sliders that stick, drag or won’t lock
- Drafts, or condensation that runs down the glass
- Aluminum or wood-framed units from decades past with worn frames
- A sliding glass door that leaks at the threshold or rolls rough
- You are re-siding, and it makes sense to flash new windows into new wall protection
Options we’ll talk through
Every house, budget and style is different, so we keep the choices plain:
- Vinyl windows. Usually the lowest cost and low upkeep. Frames are narrower in some lines and wider in others.
- Fiberglass windows. Stable and strong, and many can be painted.
- Wood-clad windows. A wood interior with a protective exterior cladding, for homes where the look inside matters.
- Sliding glass doors. In different frame materials and panel configurations, to fit existing openings or to widen them.
We’ll go over energy ratings, glass options and styles during your estimate. If you are choosing between brands, Dave can tell you what he sees in the field, and you can compare any manufacturer’s warranty on its own terms.
Replacement or new construction style
- Insert (replacement) windows. The new unit goes into the existing frame. It is less work, but it can reduce the glass area and does not let us re-flash the opening.
- Full-frame replacement. The old window and frame come out, the opening is inspected, flashed and rebuilt as needed, and the new window goes in with proper tape and flashing. It costs more, and it is the better answer when there is any rot or leak history.
Dave will tell you which fits your wall. When rot shows up in the opening, we repair it before the new window goes in. See siding and dry rot repair.
How the install goes
- Measure and plan. Dave measures each opening, checks the sill and framing, and writes up the job. Free estimate.
- Order. Windows and doors are ordered to size. Lead times vary.
- Remove the old unit. Careful tear-out, then inspection of the rough opening.
- Repair as needed. Rotted framing or sheathing gets replaced.
- Flash and set. Sill pan or flashing, window set level and plumb, flashing tape lapped in the right order into the weather barrier.
- Trim and seal. New trim, caulk where it belongs, and the interior finishing coordinated with you. See trim, soffit and fascia.
When you are already planning to re-side, window replacement combined with James Hardie or cedar siding means the flashing, wrap and trim get done as one system.
Sliding glass doors in particular
A slider is a big, heavy opening, and the threshold is where trouble starts. Water that gets under the sill can soak the subfloor and the framing without any sign inside the house until the floor is soft. When we replace a slider, we check the sill, the subfloor edge and the framing, build a proper sill flashing, and make sure the door sits level so the track drains. If you want a wider opening or a different style of door, we can talk through what that means for the header and framing.
What affects cost
- Number and size of windows and doors
- Frame material and glass package
- Insert versus full-frame replacement
- Rot or framing repair found in the openings
- Second-story and hard-to-reach locations
- Trim, interior finish and any siding work around them
Dave gives a free estimate. For general cost ranges on exterior work, see our cost guide.
Why Six-Point
Six-Point Siding, Inc. is a small family business run by Dave Shaffer, a second-generation sider with about 40 years of hands-on experience. Oregon CCB #153635, bonded and insured, and Dave is on every job from start to finish. Because he is a sider first, he looks at the whole wall, not just the hole in it. Read about Dave or see the places we work, like Gresham, Fairview and Happy Valley.
Get a free estimate
Call or text Dave: 503-260-7647.
Questions homeowners ask
Can you replace windows without redoing my siding?
Often, yes. The question is how the window will be flashed and trimmed into the wall. Sometimes siding has to be opened up around the window, and Dave will tell you what he sees before work starts.
What window types can I choose from?
We will talk through options like vinyl, fiberglass or wood-clad windows, and what each means for cost, upkeep, frame size and appearance. Vinyl windows are fine; it is vinyl siding that Dave doesn't install.
How long does a window or slider replacement take?
A single window or slider can be done in a day, but custom-ordered windows can take weeks to arrive. We'll give you a realistic timeline when we write up the job.
Why do some windows leak even when they are new?
Usually because of how they were installed, not the window itself. Missing sill flashing, tape that was never lapped correctly or caulk used instead of flashing can let water into the wall.
Do you handle sliding glass doors?
Yes. Replacing a sliding glass door means re-flashing the opening, setting the new door level and square, and tying it into the weather barrier. That can also be a good moment to fix rot at the threshold.