Windows and doors are the face of a home, highlighting just how crucial their renovation is. For homeowners who’ve purchased a resale property and are planning to renovate or undertake a second round of remodeling, the key question on their minds is: a house typically comes with quite a few windows and doors—so which ones absolutely need to be replaced, and which can you afford to keep?
           
　　Step 1: Plan before replacing
　　The window and door manufacturing industry has relatively low barriers to entry, so you’ll find family-run workshops popping up everywhere—on every street and in every neighborhood. However, high-quality windows and doors don’t come cheap. Before deciding to replace your existing ones, homeowners should carefully consider several key factors: Which windows and doors actually need replacing? What materials should you choose for the new ones? And how do you pick the best options among the available choices? Below, we’ll address these questions one by one to help you make the right decisions for your home renovation project.
　　Identify the doors and windows that need to be replaced
　　The key issue when replacing doors and windows is whether the renovation fund is sufficient. If you have enough money, it’s better to replace all or most of them—this ensures a unified style and enhances the overall aesthetic appeal. However, if funds are limited, you can opt to replace only certain elements while making do with the rest for now. For example, if your front security door is still in good condition, you might just need to upgrade the lock. As for interior doors and windows, the decision will depend on their current state and your budget.
　　2. Understanding the materials of doors and windows
　　Currently, the main materials for doors and windows include wood doors and windows, plastic steel doors and windows, aluminum alloy doors and windows, and thermal-break aluminum alloy doors and windows. Each material has its own unique advantages and disadvantages, as well as varying price ranges. Homeowners should carefully consider their specific needs and budget to choose the most suitable door and window material for their situation.
　　Regardless of which material you ultimately decide to choose for your doors and windows, it’s essential to carefully research how to identify the strengths and weaknesses of that particular material. When shopping for doors and windows, it’s strongly recommended to head to a reputable building materials market. Of course, smaller, roadside shops aren’t entirely off-limits—but make sure to visit stores with a solid reputation, extensive experience in the industry, and a proven track record of customer satisfaction.
　　3. General Process for Window and Door Replacement
　　Currently, many property management offices in residential communities have implemented regulations stating that residents are not allowed to privately alter the material, shape, or color of doors and windows—primarily to maintain a uniform aesthetic. Therefore, when planning to replace exterior doors and windows, it’s essential to first consult with the property management office to confirm whether installation is permitted. Typically, replacing doors and windows should be done early in the renovation process, as this step must be completed before proceeding with the next phase of construction work.
　　Door and window manufacturers offer on-site measurements: After thoroughly researching and preparing in advance, choose the right door and window manufacturer. Typically, manufacturers will send technicians to your location for a detailed on-site measurement and inspection. Following the measurement, technicians will prepare drawings and provide a detailed quote. If the homeowner approves the proposed plan, the manufacturer will proceed to fabricate the products, which usually takes 20 to 30 days. Once production is complete, the installation process—removing the old windows and doors and installing the new ones—can begin immediately.
　　Step Two: Removal of Old Doors and Windows
　　As the saying goes, "Let go of the old to make room for the new." Before installing new doors and windows, you must first remove the old ones. However, it’s important not to dismantle the old fixtures too early—ideally, you should proceed immediately to install the new ones right after taking out the old ones. And here’s a tip: don’t simply toss the removed old doors and windows in the trash! Instead, they can often be refurbished or repurposed, helping homeowners save money in the process.
　　1. Selection of the method for removing old doors and windows
　　If the homeowner is experienced, they can handle the removal themselves and then sell the old doors and windows to scrap collectors. Alternatively, they can hire professionals who specialize in collecting used doors and windows—these services typically include dismantling and offer a modest refund for the materials, though the amount usually isn’t very high. Another option is to have the door and window manufacturer perform the removal, which is generally more reliable and safer. However, according to industry practice, the company will simply take the dismantled items away as part of the service fee. Whichever method is chosen, the cost of removing the doors and windows can be directly written off as an expense.
　　2. Precautions for Removing Old Doors and Windows
　　① Prioritize personnel safety
　　Removing doors and windows can be a rather labor-intensive task, and when working on high-rise buildings, extra attention must be paid to the safety of the construction workers. During the removal process, a dedicated safety supervisor should oversee all safety measures, and appropriate warning signs should be put in place to ensure the safety of both workers and bystanders.
　　② Avoid damaging the wall structure
　　When removing doors and windows, avoid using a sledgehammer to forcefully demolish them, as this could damage the wall structure. If the existing building walls are damaged, repairs will be necessary, significantly increasing construction costs.
　　3. General Procedure for Removing Doors and Windows
　　Before starting the door and window removal work, the person in charge of installation must provide all installers with a comprehensive safety and technical briefing. This ensures that every installer fully understands the various precautions to take during the door and window demolition process.
　　① First, remove the door and window frames
　　First, use tools such as a screwdriver and a hand hammer to carefully remove the door and window frames. During the removal process, one person should handle the dismantling while another ensures the stable positioning of the doors and windows. After removal, gently place the doors down—never allow them to be toppled from a height.
　　② Remove door and window frames
　　Once the door and window sashes are removed, you can proceed to dismantle the door and window frames. Typically, start by using a blade to carefully cut through any sealant or adhesive inside the frame. If the doors or windows were secured to the wall with expansion bolts, simply use a screwdriver to remove them. If the bolts have rusted, you can break them apart using an impact drill. For frames connected via brackets, an impact drill works just fine. However, if the window frame proves particularly stubborn to remove, you’ll need to use a hacksaw to cut through the middle section of the frame where it’s in contact with the wall, allowing you to carefully extract it.
　　③ Clean and repair window and door openings
　　When removing doors and windows, there’s a risk of causing some damage to the surrounding openings. If these issues aren’t addressed, it could complicate the installation of new doors and windows. Therefore, after dismantling the old fixtures, it’s essential to verify that the opening dimensions are accurate and properly aligned horizontally and vertically—and to rectify any openings that don’t meet these standards.
           
　　Step 3: Installation of New Doors and Windows
　　Once the old doors and windows are removed, you can proceed with installing the new ones. During the installation of the new doors and windows, extra care and attention are essential—pay close attention to supervision and thorough inspection—to prevent issues like leaks or drafts from occurring later in the product's lifespan.
　　1. Door and window materials must be inspected upon arrival.
　　Installation phase of new doors and windows
　　When door and window materials arrive on site, they must undergo thorough inspection and acceptance. First, conduct an **visual inspection** to check for any damage or breakage. Next, verify the dimensions—specifically, measure the four sides of the frame and ensure the sashes are square and free from warping. This step helps achieve quality control before installation. Additionally, carefully **verify the authenticity** of the materials using appropriate identification methods tailored to their specific types, preventing the risk of substitution with inferior products. Finally, inspect all accompanying components, including fasteners, hardware accessories, reinforcing profiles, and metal backing plates, ensuring that their surfaces have been properly treated for corrosion resistance.
　　2. Be careful when placing doors and windows
　　After the door and window materials arrive on the construction site, they must be carefully arranged to prevent bumps, impacts, and abrasions. Typically, doors and windows should not be placed directly on the ground; instead, non-metallic, non-slip pads at least 30mm thick should be used as padding beneath them. Additionally, both door and window frames, as well as sashes, should be stored upright at an angle of no less than 70 degrees, with measures in place to ensure they don’t topple over. Finally, doors and windows of different sizes should not be stacked on top of one another.
　　3. General Procedure for Door and Window Installation
　　① Fixed bracket
　　Method 1: Secure with a fixing clip
　　Method 2: Secure with expansion bolts
　　② Apply expanding foam
　　After the doors and windows are adjusted, it’s time to apply expanding foam to fill the gaps between the door/window frames and the walls. Once the foam has fully cured—typically taking 2–3 hours, though it may take longer in winter—carefully trim away any excess foam.
　　③ Install door and window frames along with other accessories
　　After securing the door and window frames, the next step is to install the door and window sashes along with other accessories. Remember to proceed with care during installation!
　　④ Apply sealant
　　After applying the expanding foam, evenly apply sealant around the perimeter of the door and window frames to prevent rainwater from seeping into the room through the gaps between the windows/doors and the wall.
　　The typical process for installing doors and windows involves first mounting the frame, then checking whether it’s properly aligned, followed by applying expanding foam to fill any gaps. Next, the door or window sashes and other accessories are installed, and finally, sealant is applied to prevent water leakage.
　　4. Door and Window Installation Acceptance
　　When installing doors and windows, careful inspection is also required to promptly identify and address any issues. Typically, door and window inspections focus on the following key aspects:
           
　　① Check the verticality and horizontality of door and window frames
　　It’s best to measure the verticality of door and window frames using a level, or alternatively, a plumb bob. For doors and windows up to 2 meters in height, the verticality error should be less than 2 millimeters; for those taller than 2 meters, the allowable error drops to under 3 millimeters. To check the horizontal alignment of the frames, a level is the preferred tool. Alternatively, you can fill the sliding tracks of the frame with water—when the water surface remains perfectly level, it confirms that the frame is properly installed horizontally. If the water levels differ at either end, it means the frame isn’t aligned correctly. Another method involves using a long water-filled hose: if the water levels at both ends are even, the frame is horizontal; otherwise, adjustments may be needed.
　　② Inspect the quality of glass installation
　　The glass should be smooth, free of spots and watermarks. Both the inner and outer surfaces of double-glazed units must be clean, with no dust or moisture inside the glass cavity. Additionally, the spacer bar must not curl up. For glazing units fitted with sealing strips, the strips must make full, tight contact with the glass across their entire length, leaving no noticeable gaps at the junctions between the strips and the window frame profiles. Any gaps at the joints should measure 1 millimeter or less.
　　③ Checking the tightness of the frame and sash
　　The junction between the door and window frames and sashes must be tight, with no noticeable gaps at the sealant joints of the sash seals. When the doors and windows are closed, there should be no significant gaps between the sashes and frames, and the sealing strips on the sealing surfaces should remain compressed.