Window Installation
Windows that stop the draft, not just the view of it.
Insulated replacement windows installed into repaired, flashed and sealed openings, because in a cold climate the leaks around a window cost more than the glass does.
Do replacement windows really lower heating bills here?
Replacement windows reduce heating costs in cold climates mainly by eliminating air leakage, not just by improving glass performance. Covenant Builders removes the old unit, inspects and repairs the rough opening, then installs, flashes, insulates and seals the new window so the assembly performs as rated for its full service life.
Overview
Where the heat is actually going
Modern window systems noticeably reduce drafts and improve comfort through a Minnesota winter, but most of the saving comes from stopping air leakage rather than from the glass. An old window leaks at the sash, at the frame, and through the gap between the frame and the framing it sits in. Better glass does nothing about the last two.
This matters most on the aging wood frames common in older Duluth and Superior homes, where decades of seasonal movement have opened paths that no amount of weatherstripping closes. Updated windows also bring in more light and cut outside noise, which are the benefits homeowners notice first.
Scope
What a window project includes
- Removal and disposal of existing units
- Rough opening inspection, with sill and framing repair as needed
- New units set plumb, level and square
- Flashing that directs water out of the opening
- Insulated and sealed perimeter, inside and out
- Interior and exterior trim finished
- Openings closed and weather-tight before the crew leaves each day
In a cold climate, the leaks around a window usually cost more than the glass does.
How it is done
Why the installation decides the result
The old unit comes out and the rough opening gets inspected. Water damage at the sill is common and has to be repaired before anything new goes in, because a new window set into rotted framing has no more chance than the one it replaced.
The new unit is set plumb, level and square, then flashed so any water that reaches the opening is directed back out rather than into the wall. The perimeter is insulated and sealed on both sides, which is the step that actually stops the draft.
A full-frame replacement takes the opening down to the framing and is the only approach that allows all of that. An insert replacement fits a new unit inside the existing frame, which is faster and preserves trim, but it cannot address what is behind the frame. Which is appropriate gets decided by what the opening looks like, not by preference.
Replacement approach comparison
Full-frame and insert replacement solve different problems. The condition of the opening decides which applies.
| Approach | What it addresses | When it is appropriate |
|---|---|---|
| Insert replacement | The window unit only | Existing frame is sound and square, trim is staying, no suspected water damage. |
| Full-frame replacement | Unit, opening, flashing and perimeter insulation | Frame is rotted or out of square, water damage is suspected, or the opening was never flashed. |
Materials we install
- Malarkey Roofing Products
- LP SmartSide ExpertFinish trim and siding
- CertainTeed roofing and siding products
- VELUX skylights
Recent work
Window Installation projects
Gable rebuilt after a window removal New hopper window in a block wall New sash in a century-old wall 
Custom egress box at patio level Windows in, wall still open
Where we work
Window Installation across the Twin Ports
Each service area page covers all twelve services and what makes building there different.
What homeowners say
Work that earns the referral.
Reviews left by Covenant Builders customers on Google.
“Went with Covenant Builders as they were the least expensive of 3 estimates. They did the roof on my house and garage in one 12 hour day with high quality products. Their cleanup was also great. I literally found just one nail after they were done. Roof looks great and so far has been leak free.”
Matthew ZemlerRoof replacement · via Google “Jared was great to work with. Out of all the contractors that gave a bid on doing the roof of my house, he did the best inspection to help minimize surprise costs. He is professional, polite, and respectful. I had a great experience working with him!”
Abby DuggerRoof replacement · via Google “I had an excellent experience from start to finish with Jared and Covenant builders. The estimate process was easy to understand; I new exactly what I was getting and what I would be paying for it, no pressure at all. The work crew was efficient and took extra care not to damage my garden. I look forward to saving monry on my homeowners insurance with class 4 rated shingles.”
Karen St. GeorgeRoof replacement · via Google
FAQ
Window Installation questions
What is the difference between a full-frame and an insert replacement?
An insert fits a new unit inside the existing frame, which is faster and preserves interior and exterior trim. A full-frame replacement removes everything down to the rough opening, which is the only way to inspect and repair the framing, re-flash the opening and insulate the perimeter properly. Older homes with suspected water damage need full-frame.
How many windows can be replaced in a day?
It depends on access and whether the openings need repair, but a straightforward insert replacement moves considerably faster than full-frame work. Openings are never left open overnight; anything started is closed and weather-tight before the crew leaves.
What should I look for in a window for this climate?
Double or triple glazing with a low-E coating and an inert gas fill, and a frame material that does not conduct heat readily. Just as important is the air leakage rating, because in a cold climate the leaks around and through a window usually cost more than the glass does.
Will replacing windows fix condensation on the glass?
Condensation between the panes means the seal has failed and the unit needs replacing. Condensation on the room side of the glass is different: it means indoor humidity is high relative to the glass temperature. Better windows raise that surface temperature and help, but managing indoor humidity and ventilation is part of the fix.
Does the interior trim need to be replaced too?
With insert replacements the existing interior trim usually stays. Full-frame replacement disturbs the trim by definition, so it is either carefully removed and reinstalled or replaced. Which way it goes gets decided before work starts, not discovered partway through.
Other services
One contractor for the whole house.
Roofing
Full roof replacement built for heavy snow load, ice dams and freeze-thaw cycles.
Learn moreSiding Installation
LP SmartSide and fiber cement siding that seals out drafts and resists freeze-thaw warping.
Learn moreGutter Installation
Seamless gutters sloped and mounted to carry snowmelt away from your foundation.
Learn moreDoor Installation
Insulated entry and patio doors installed square, sealed and weather-tight.
Learn moreInterior & Exterior Painting
Prep-first painting that holds its finish through Minnesota temperature swings.
Learn moreKitchen Remodeling
Full kitchen renovation with cabinetry, layout changes and finish carpentry.
Learn more
Ready to talk about window installation?
Call, or send a few details about the property and we will get back to you with next steps.
Mon-Sat 7:00 am to 7:00 pm · Closed Sunday