Skip to main content
FamilyEducation
FamilyEducation
Family Education

FE-Menu

  • Pregnancy
    • <blank>
      • Pregnancy Tracker
      • Trying to Conceive
      • Signs & Symptoms
      • Pregnancy Health
    • <blank>
      • Baby Names
      • High Risk Pregnancies
      • Preparing for Baby
    • <blank>
      • Concerns & Complications
      • Labor & Delivery
      • Postpartum
  • Baby Names
    • <blank>
      • Browse All Baby Names (A-Z)
      • Top Names for Boys
      • Top Names for Girls
      • Baby Name Generator
    • <blank>
      • Baby Name Lists & Ideas
      • First Names By Origin
      • Browse All Last Names (A-Z)
      • Last Names by Origin
  • Babies
    • <blank>
      • Caring For Your Baby
      • Baby's Health
      • Feeding Your Baby
    • <blank>
      • Your Baby and Sleep
      • Baby's Growth & Development
      • Baby Hygiene
    • <blank>
      • Baby Safety
      • Baby Products
    • <blank>
  • Toddlers
    • <blank>
      • Toddler Growth and Development
    • <blank>
      • Toddler Behavior and Discipline
    • <blank>
      • Your Toddler and Sleep
  • Kids
    • <blank>
      • Health
      • Childhood Development
      • Fitness & Nutrition
      • Childhood Safety
    • <blank>
      • Communicating with Your Kids
      • Childhood Behavior and Discipline
      • Fostering Responsibility
      • Instilling Values & Manners
    • <blank>
      • Childcare
      • Neurodiversity in Kids
      • Adopting Children
  • Teens
    • <blank>
      • Teen Health
      • Teen Puberty & Sex
    • <blank>
      • Behavior & Discipline
      • Teen Social Development
    • <blank>
      • Values & Responsibilities
  • Activities
    • <blank>
      • Printables
      • Indoor Activities
      • Learning Activities
      • Arts and Crafts
      • Performing Arts
      • Food Activities
      • Outdoor Activities
    • <blank>
      • Books
      • TV
      • Movies
      • Online
      • Quizzes
      • Games
      • Celebrities
    • <blank>
      • Parties
      • Travel
      • Toys
      • Holidays
      • Gifts
  • Learning
    • <blank>
      • By Grade
      • By Subject
      • College
      • Preschool
    • <blank>
      • Back to School
      • Study Skills
      • Learning Styles
    • <blank>
      • Homeschooling
      • Parental Involvement
      • Your Child's School
  • Family Life
    • <blank>
      • Mom Life
      • Dad Life
      • Family Relationships
      • Having a Healthy Marriage
      • Divorce
    • <blank>
      • Health & Fitness
      • COVID Resources
      • Managing Your Home
      • Moving Your Family
      • Pets
    • <blank>
      • Family Finances
      • Work
      • Families and Food
  • NewslettersNewsletters
    Newsletters

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Family Life
  3. Managing Your Home
  4. Home Improvements and Maintenance
  5. Install A Tilt-In Window In The Old Jambs

Install a Tilt-In Window in the Old Jambs

Replace those old windows! These instructions describe how to install a tilt-in window in old jambs.
  • facebook share icon
  • pin
  • twitter share icon
  • email share icon
  • Print page icon

In this article, you will find:

  • Page 1
  • Page 2

Page 1

Install a Tilt-In Window in the Old Jambs

May we talk about your leaky, clanky, clunky double-hung windows? Windows are weak spots in many houses, especially the common double-hung variety—with sashes that slide vertically. Double-hungs that once were good have turned bad. Windows that started life with a quality disadvantage have only gotten worse.

Replacing windows can be a nightmare, if you have to replace the jambs—the frame around the window. More often, it's the moving parts, not the jambs, that have failed. If you've got good jambs, you can buy a kit to cure what ails your windows. You strip out the junk, install the kit, and renail or replace one small molding. Among many advantages: You don't touch the casing molding around the window, and you leave the storm window in place.

The Marvin Tilt-Pac kit I use in these directions had insulated glass, a “tilt-in” feature allowing easy cleaning, and aluminum cladding on the outside to resist weathering. I installed the window in two hours, even though this was my first experience with these windows, and I was taking the photos seen here. Replacing the entire window would have been far more expensive, and could have taken five times as long.

Step 1: Planning the Installation

First of all, are your jambs in good shape? Is there rot, which usually starts at the bottom? Are the side jambs reasonably vertical? Are the sill and head (top) jamb reasonably horizontal? (“Reasonably” is hard to quantify, but let's say within 1⁄4".)

If your jambs pass these tests, measure your windows. Each particular company may have its own instructions, but in general, you measure the width between the jambs, the height, and the sill angle. Marvin said to measure height on the inside, from the sill to the head (top) jamb. Use a sliding bevel to measure sill angle. Transfer the angle from the sliding bevel to paper, then measure the angle with a plastic square.

Measure carefully. Measure again. Measure until your measurements agree. Then place your order. When I used this foolishly redundant but foolproof technique, the kit fit perfectly.

Next: Page 2

What's hot

  • Eye color genetic chart Family LifeWhat Color Will My Baby'…
  • 10 Signs of Divorce Family Life10 Signs Your Marriage is Over
  • woman standing on scale Family LifeWhat's a Normal BMI for…
  • Young girl eating a oatmeal with berries after a workout Family LifeCalorie Intake for Weight…
NewslettersNewsletters
Your partner in parenting from baby name inspiration to college planning.
Family Education
FamilyEducation does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Your use of the site indicates your agreement to be bound by our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Information on our advertising guidelines can be found here.

FE Footer

  • Newsletter Center
  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Editorial Policy
  • Editorial Team
  • Expert Panel
  • Cookie Policy
  • Site Map
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Terms of Use
  • Do Not Sell My Info (for CA Residents)
sandbox learning logo
Family Education is part of the Sandbox Learning family of educational reference sites for parents, teachers, and students. 

factmonster logoinfoplease logoTeacherVision logo

sandbbox logo
©2022 Sandbox Networks Inc. All rights reserved. Sandbox Learning is part of Sandbox & Co., a digital learning company.