DIY Replacement of a Basement Window With a Brick Foundation

Replacing a basement window is not as difficult as it might sound, even if your house has a brick foundation. In fact, a brick house tends to “move” less than wood-frame houses or other styles, which means you are less likely to run into problems keeping the new window square. It's important that you measure carefully before ordering your new window, as there is nothing you can do to fix it if it turns out that it is too big when it arrives.

Tape measure
Pry bar
Hammer
Basement window unit
Reciprocal saw
Level
Shims
Screw gun
Installation screws (with the window)
Fiberglass insulation
Finish nails
Caulk

Instructions

- 1
  Measure the basement window opening with the old window still in place, along the height and width, from the furthest points out along the inner edge of the frame that’s inside the brick perimeter. Order the replacement window with those dimensions. Leave the old window in place while you await the delivery of the new one.
- 2
  Pry off the trim around the interior edge of the window opening with a hammer and pry bar. Don't break it. Set it aside. The trim removal should reveal a small space between the edge of the casing and the wood frame inside the brick perimeter.
- 3
  Cut through any screws or nails that are holding the window in place, by running a reciprocal saw inside the exposed space, cutting through anything in there. Pull the window out.
- 4
  Place the new window in the opening, pushing it back until it rests against the border of trim around the exterior edge of the opening.
- 5
  Slide shims under and alongside the window unit until a level shows the unit is straight and level. Secure the unit with the provided installation screws, shooting them out through the sides of the unit and into the wood frame along the perimeter of the opening.
- 6
  Tuck fiberglass insulation into spaces around the window unit.
- 7
  Reinstall the interior trim around the perimeter of the window, covering the spaces. Nail the trim in place with a hammer and trim nails.
- 8
  Caulk around the trim where it meets the wall and the window.

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