Window Installation on Cape Cod
Replacement and new construction windows, flashed and sealed right
Murray Construction handles window installation on Cape Cod, from swapping out a few tired sashes to fitting every opening in a new addition. Owner John Murray, a master carpenter with more than 20 years in the trades, is personally on every project.
Murray Construction is an Andersen Certified Contractor based in Sandwich, MA. This page covers the window work John takes on, insert versus full-frame replacement, what the coastal climate asks of a window, and how a project runs.
Window installation and replacement on Cape Cod
Most window jobs fall into two groups. Replacement windows go into an existing house where the old units are drafty, rotted, fogged or hard to operate. New construction windows go into fresh framing, such as an addition, ADU or garage, and are flashed into the wall before siding goes on.
Replacement work itself comes in two forms, and John chooses between them on the site visit.
- ✓Insert (pocket) replacement: The new window fits inside the existing frame and the trim stays put. It works when the old frame is square, solid and dry.
- ✓Full-frame replacement: The old window comes out to the rough opening, so John can repair rot, replace damaged sills and flash the new unit to the wall. Better when water has been getting in.
- ✓New construction installs: Windows for additions, ADUs, garages and rebuilt walls, framed, set and flashed as part of the build.
Window types John installs
John installs the common styles found on Cape houses and helps you match each room and the look of the home.
- ✓Double-hung: The traditional Cape window, with two sashes that slide up and down.
- ✓Casement: Hinged at the side and cranked open, good for catching a breeze.
- ✓Awning: Hinged at the top, so it can stay open in a light rain.
- ✓Picture: A fixed window for a view or light, often flanked by operating units.
- ✓Bay and bow: Units that project from the wall, with framing and roof work that suits a carpenter-led install.
What matters for replacement windows on Cape Cod
Flashing and air sealing. A window is only as good as the way it ties into the wall. John layers flashing tape and sill protection so water that gets behind the siding is directed out, not into the framing, then air seals the gap between the window and the rough opening.
Salt air and wind. Near the water, salt and wind-driven rain are hard on hardware, finishes and exposed wood. Frame material, cladding and hardware choices matter more here.
Energy performance. Every new window carries an NFRC label showing how well it insulates and how much solar heat it lets in. ENERGY STAR certification is set by climate zone, so look for a unit certified for the northern zone.
If your current windows have specific symptoms, these guides go deeper: what to do when windows start fogging between panes and why windows suddenly stop opening.
How a window project with John works
- ✓Consultation and site visit: John checks each window, frame and sill for rot.
- ✓Written quote: Spells out the windows, the method for each opening and any repairs.
- ✓Permits: Where your town’s building department requires a permit, John handles the paperwork.
- ✓Installation: Openings are repaired as needed and new windows set, flashed, air sealed and trimmed.
- ✓Walkthrough: John checks operation, locks and finish work with you.
Coordinating windows with siding and what affects cost
If you are planning new siding, doing the windows at the same time lets every unit go in full-frame and flash directly to the new weather barrier. John also handles siding installation on Cape Cod, so one person is responsible for how the windows and walls work together.
Every window project is priced individually. These are the main factors:
- ✓Number and size of windows, and whether any openings are being enlarged or added.
- ✓Insert or full-frame replacement, since full-frame involves more trim and flashing.
- ✓Window style and material, including frame, cladding, glass options and hardware.
- ✓Condition of the framing, since rotted sills or headers need repair first.
- ✓Access, such as upper-story windows or bay units that need staging.
Areas served
Murray Construction is based in Sandwich and installs windows across Cape Cod, including Sandwich, Bourne, Falmouth, Mashpee, Barnstable, Dennis and nearby towns. As one East Falmouth homeowner put it: “He is honest and does a very good job.” (M.J., East Falmouth, MA)
Frequently asked questions
Are you an Andersen Certified Contractor?
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Yes. Murray Construction is an Andersen Certified Contractor. Before you settle on a product, John will talk through the window styles, materials and hardware options that fit your house, your budget and your exposure to wind and salt air.
Should I choose insert or full-frame replacement?
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It depends on the condition of the existing frames. If they are square, dry and solid, an insert replacement keeps your trim and is less disruptive. If there is rot, a history of leaks or the siding is coming off anyway, full-frame replacement lets John repair the opening and flash the new window properly.
Do you handle permits for window replacement?
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Yes. Requirements vary by town and scope, so John checks with your town’s building department and handles the permit paperwork when one is needed. Historic districts can add review.
Can you replace just a few windows?
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Yes. Many homeowners replace the worst windows first, the fogged, rotted or stuck ones, and do the rest later. John helps plan the order so new windows match the style of the ones that stay.
How do I get an estimate?
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Call John at (508) 648-3215 or send a note through the contact page with the number of windows, the town and what is going wrong with the current ones. He will set up a site visit to measure and look at the frames before writing a quote.
Do you work in my town?
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Murray Construction is based in Sandwich and works across Cape Cod, including Bourne, Falmouth, Mashpee, Barnstable, Dennis and nearby towns. If you are just outside that area, call and ask whether your project is a fit.
Related guides
- WindowsEnergy-Efficient Window Installation on Cape Cod: What to Look ForHow to choose energy efficient windows for a Cape Cod home: NFRC labels, ENERGY STAR's Northern zone, glass and frame options for salt air, and why installation matters.
- WindowsFoggy Windows Between Panes: What It Means and What to DoFog trapped between the glass means the window's seal has failed. How to confirm it, whether it's urgent, and how to choose between new glass, a new sash or a new window.
- WindowsWindow Won't Open? Why Windows Suddenly Stop Opening and What to DoA window that won't open usually has a simple cause: a latch, paint, swelling, a dirty track or worn hardware. How to diagnose it by window type, what's safe to try, and when to call a pro.
Plan your window project
Call John at (508) 648-3215 or send a message to set up a site visit for your windows.
