Replacing windows is significantly more challenging than installing them into new homes, yet the work is often performed by contractors who lack the necessary training and experience. It is not uncommon for replacement products to be installed in ways that leave the walls more vulnerable to air leakage and moisture problems than they were before.

To address this challenge, the Fenestration Association of BC and BC Housing jointly published the industry guide Best Practices for Window and Door Replacement in Wood-Frame Buildings (the Guide) in 2013.

As it is often not practical to install replacement windows in the same way as the original products, the Guide provides a variety of robust installation methods from full removal of existing windows to installations that safely leave part of the existing frame within the wall.