Several months ago, we purchased windows to replace our existing ones. When our contractor came to put them in, he said we had the wrong kind. We had new construction windows and he said we should have replacement windows. We were dumbfounded. My husband went to Lowe's and they told him you CAN put these windows in as replacements. We are so confused. Not to mention, I don't even know if Lowe's will let us return these and order the "right" ones. Can anybody advise us, please?
New construction windows have an exterior flange that must go under molding. This requires removal of molding and possibly redoing some siding. I have done it - it can take a LOT of time! So yes, you can use the new construction windows. Replacement windows, on the other hand, fit inside the existing window opening and may be installed in an hour or less by someone good at it. This is why your contractor wants the replacement windows - to avoid the hassle with exterior molding and siding. You lose a little bit of the window opening with replacements, but otherwise they look fine. Most go with replacements.
