Nailing windows

Unfortunately, a poorly installed window that lacks proper flashing can be a gateway to these unpleasant phenomena. Flashing is an essential component of proper window installation.

It's safe to assume that most window installations need some form of flashing, and most residential building codes require it. What type and size of nails should you use for installing Windows?

The length is also important. What is a nailing fin? A nail or nailing fin is a thin piece of metal extending from the window itself that goes all the way around the perimeter of the window frame. This piece adds to the window's permanence and is nailed directly to the house's frame studs , hidden between the interior and exterior of your home. What's the difference between a replacement window and a new construction window? Replacement windows are defined as windows installed into a pre-existing window opening, while new construction windows are designed for homes that have yet to be constructed or used in the instances where an existing window has to be removed down to the studs of the walls before it can be replaced.

Can Windows be installed from the inside? Insert or Pocket Replacement Windows Some replacement windows can be installed from the interior or exterior. Check the manufacturer's documentation to get specific instructions for your windows. What is a flush flange window? Fins also work in conjunction with flashing and the weather resistant barrier WRB to prevent wind and water infiltration.

Replacement windows are fastened through the window frames into the sides of the window openings. Commercial windows are often installed into block or steel rough openings where a nailing fin would be impractical.

There are two types of window nailing fins, integral and non-integral. Integral fins are only found on vinyl windows. Non-integral nailing fins are added to wood, metal and fiberglass window frames during the assembly process. Both the area where the fins meet at the corners and the seams between the fins and the frames needs to be sealed during the window installation. Non-integral nailing fins have several advantages.

They can be folded down which makes them less susceptible to damage during storage and transport. The stiffness of integral fins forces a window to follow the plane of the sheathing even if the wall is severely twisted or out of plumb.

This can cause weather strip misalignment, poor operation, and put stress on glass, which could cause seals to fail prematurely. The flexibility of non-integral fins provides more adjustment options during the installation and creates a buffer when a house settles.

Nailing fins do add structural integrity to a window, but proper shim location and the frame-screws are as, if not more, important than the fins. In fact, many manufacturers consider nailing fins nothing more than a guide to the installation process and a way to hold the window in place while the shims and screws are being installed.

The back side of all nailing fins should be sealed to the wall with an exterior-grade, non-shrinking sealant that will remain flexible. Replacement windows are fastened through the window frames into the sides of the window openings. Commercial windows are often installed into block or steel rough openings where a nailing fin would be impractical. Over the past five years I have not built a home with walls that were less than in.

Having this thick wall gives us an opportunity to make choices about how our Euro-style, flangeless windows are installed. One option is to push the window outward in the assembly, but this presents more challenges for water management because the window is closer to the weather. Moving the unit to the interior face of the wall better protects the unit from the elements, but in doing so, also moves the unit away from the sunlight and the breezetwo reasons why we have windows in our houses in the first place.

The other factor that must be considered when positioning a window unit is the potential for creating a microclimate. If the window is placed all the way to one side within a deep wall , you limit airflow in the window well on the opposite side, and this raises the risk of creating a zone that is different than the surrounding areas. This microclimate can create the right conditions for moisture accumulation in areas where you dont want it. For this reason, I typically locate the window in the middle.

This limits the microclimate effect and maximizes the connection to the light, breeze, and views, all while limiting the windows exposure to the elementsby which I mean primarily water, mostly in the form of rain.

Window manufacturers offer a variety of window frames for the variety of different new and retrofit window installations. Choose the right window frame. In most types of window installation, exterior window trim is an unnecessary and expensive extra to be avoided. Ideally, the rough openings were flashed in such a way than any water that gets into the rough opening is directed to the exterior.

This requires a sill pan , as well as jamb flashing to protect the rough opening jambs. Once the rough openings have been properly flashed, you can reinstall the windows. How to flash the gap between the window frame and the siding depends on your siding choice and trim details. The windows are wood but with no flange. The opening has not been flashed properly so the windows will be removed for that to happen.

They were installed flushed with the sheathing. There will be a rain-screen and fibre cement siding. So back to my question. Once the opening has been properly flashed and a back dam added, how do you seal a flangeless window to create the drainage plane? I see all the examples of adding a bead of sealant or tape but there is no flange on these windows. Hope that is enough info.

Maybe I am using the wrong terminology. If you are installing New Construction Windows in a house that already has windows in it, the installer must remove the siding, then the insulation , then remove any ice and water shield and cut back the house wrap, before he even gets to the window. Then, hell remove the nails that hold the existing window in place through the nailing flange, cut out any caulk or sealant and remove the existing window.

In preparation for installing your new window, the installer then adjust the window opening framing to return it to square and slide the new window in from the outside. Then, he will plumb and level the new window in the opening, nail it to the framing, install the ice and water shield, replace the house wrap, and replace or repair the old siding. To get a good fit for your replacement window , youll need to measure the pocket opening. Take your time to carefully note the exact height and width of your window.

Correct measurements now will save you from sanding the frame and adding filler strips later.