Thread: Aluminium window where there isnt one already

Hello to all from a newbie. I am no tradie, just your everyday home handyman. Anyhoo, I want to install an aluminium window into a weatherboard clad wall that has studs spaced 450 apart. This is where it all goes interesting for me. I have not attempted this before and would appreciate some tips. I know there is no plumbing or electricity where the window has to go. I have purchased a second hand allie window 600 by 1200 that still has the sill attached. Can someone give me some tips on what to expect and what materials I will need as well as how big to cut the holes in both the exterior and interior walls? I keep looking at it and feel like its the chicken or the egg scenario . What is my first step. Any advice is great advice

Cut out from the plaster side first. You will need to cut through 2 studs and fit a lintel, however the roof load needs to be supported to do this....

If you start from the inside, you will have to cut away enough of the internal lining around the proposed window, to install the lintel timber, the sill timber, and probably a dummy stud. That requires patching up the lining afterwards. If the outside is easily acessable, you may find it easier to remove enough weatherboards to prepare the opening. It will be easier to cut and re-fit weatherboards, than trying to patch up around the inside. To fit the lintel, cut notches in the studs before you cut them away. (Asuming 50mm wide lintel in 75mm studs) this will provide enough roof support over the narrow distance, before you cut the studs away.

Is ti 600mm wide and 1200mm high ? and how close to the ceiling is the top of the window?

Originally Posted by Ken-67

If you start from the inside, you will have to cut away enough of the internal lining around the proposed window, to install the lintel timber, the sill timber, and probably a dummy stud. That requires patching up the lining afterwards. If the outside is easily acessable, you may find it easier to remove enough weatherboards to prepare the opening. It will be easier to cut and re-fit weatherboards, than trying to patch up around the inside. To fit the lintel, cut notches in the studs before you cut them away. (Asuming 50mm wide lintel in 75mm studs) this will provide enough roof support over the narrow distance, before you cut the studs away.

I'd personally rather replace/repair some plaster at $17 a sheet than an external cladding at bucketloads more than that. Fair enough for a tradie but a tradie this guy aint so at your own peril.....

Originally Posted by stevoh741

I'd personally rather replace/repair some plaster at $17 a sheet than an external cladding at bucketloads more than that. Fair enough for a tradie but a tradie this guy aint so at your own peril.....

I would think that you would re-use the board that are removed. That's what I would be doing, anyway. So, no cost, and easier for a non-tradie to do than trying to make a good job of patching up plasterboard.