How to Replace Windows in a Brick Home | Helpful Guide

Brick homes are beautiful and sturdy, but they can be difficult to maintain. One of the most common maintenance issues is broken windows. In this blog post we show you How to Replace Windows in a Brick Home!

Fortunately, replacing a window in a brick home is not as complicated as it may seem at first glance. 

In this blog post we will discuss how you can replace your existing windows with new ones that fit the style of your house perfectly!

Window Installation on a Brick Home

If you are thinking of doing some home remodeling, replacing the windows in your brick home is one of the cheapest and easiest ways to give your house a new look. 

But before you race out to your local building supply store, take a moment to consider what type of installation will work best for you.

For example, each window has its own methods of installation and removal, so you must determine which type of window you need to replace the old ones.

Types of installation

The two main types of installation are inside and outside. 

When you install windows inside the house, there is no need for any exterior work like removing the brick or wall and replacing it with insulation and header boards and then re-building the brick wall. 

When you choose to install your window from the outside, however, there is additional work that must be done.

Window Installation in an Exterior Wall

The majority of windows installed in brick homes are installed into exterior walls, which is probably why most people believe that these are the only type that can be used on a brick house. 

Depending on the size of each window opening, there are two ways to do your installation.

For a single window with a larger opening, you can simply use a brick chisel and hammer out the mortar between each brick until you get to the header. 

Then pry the bricks apart enough for your header boards to fit, install them and put in your new window.

Window Installation from Within the Brick Opening

For smaller openings, there is another method of installation. This requires you to remove some or all of your brick, depending on how large the opening is. 

Once you have removed enough bricks for the thread boards (headers) to fit, install them and place them in new window(s).

Installing Replacement Windows in an Exterior Wall

For single replacement windows with an exterior wall installation, there are no real concerns. 

Choose your new windows and go to work removing the mortar in between the bricks.

Then install your headers, insulate and replace bricks using an adhesive brick patching compound. 

Once you have finished this project continue with whatever type of home improvement you were planning on doing.

Installing Windows in Two or More Exterior Walls

If you are planning on doing more than just replacing your windows, then consider what the installation will be for all of them. 

Sometimes it’s best to remove all of the bricks from each window opening to put in the headers and insulation throughout the house at once.

This is a good idea if:

• You plan on finishing the exterior of your house soon.

• Your windows are not that old and you do not need to replace them, just remove and reinstall.

This is a bad idea if:

• Your finished brickwork around your windows will be destroyed in the process of installing headers.

• You are not sure if you want to finish your exterior because it will be too much work.

How to Install Replacement Windows in an Exterior Wall

To do the job correctly, start by choosing your windows and measuring your window openings. 

On a brick home, you will have to take into consideration that the mortar joints are in your way, so you must choose windows that are the same thickness as the mortar joints.

Now go to work removing all of the old window trim and brick around each opening. 

The next step is to get rid of the mortar between each brick by chiseling it out. Be careful not to damage or crack any bricks when doing this step.

The last step is to install the headers and insulation, which should be enough for a single window. 

Then re-brick around your window openings using an adhesive brick patching compound.

Once you have finished this project continue with whatever type of home improvement you were planning on doing.

Installing Replacement Windows from Within a Brick Opening

This is the best option if you are only replacing one window at a time. 

First, choose your new windows and measure each opening to make sure that they will fit. 

Once you have done this, go ahead and remove all of the old brick from around the header boards.

You can use a chisel and hammer or a grinder with a carbide blade to carefully cut the mortar away from between each brick. 

Be careful as you do this not to crack any bricks as you will need them all in place after.

Once you have removed enough brick for your new window header boards, install them, then put in your new window(s) using the same mortar bed that was used previously.

After this, you are finished!

Keep in mind that the best time to do this project is when your windows are not too old, because if they are they may no longer be available.

FAQs

Q: How much does it cost to replace windows on a brick home?

A: Windows can vary greatly in price depending on size, quality and type. Replacing windows on a brick home is an average of $500 – $600 per window installed.

Q: Do I have to remove my brick window trim?

A: No, you don’t have to if the replacement windows are the same size as your old ones so that they fit behind the brick and go into the openings. 

If you do not remove your trim then you will need to replace it as well.

Q: Can I install new windows from within the wall?

A: Yes, this is an easier job for one window at a time, but if you are doing more than one, it’s best to remove the brick from around the entire opening.

Q: What is a good type of window to install in a brick home?

A: It’s best to choose replacement windows that are the same thickness as your existing bricks, or can be cut down to fit into your window openings. 

Ask professional advice if you are unsure.