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Storing and Installing Wood Windows

Storing and Installing Wood Windows

Wood windows are sensitive products. If you treat them roughly you can damage them. They may rack out of square. Weatherstripping that fit tightly at the factory can shift out of place creating drafts. In other words, make sure your contractor takes care when installing the beasts.

Always store windows in a well ventilated space. Cover them to keep them dry and clean. Beg your contractors to handle them with soft, clean cotton gloves. Oil and dirt from hands can cause blemishes when the painter shows up 2 or 3 months from now with stain and urethane!

ALWAYS install the windows exactly according to the written instructions provided by the manufacturer. It takes only 5 to 10 minutes to read these. Windows MUST be installed level and plumb.

Wood windows must also be square after they are installed. This is easy to check. Simply take a tape measure and check the diagonal measurements (upper left corner to lower right corner - upper right corner to lower left corner) of the outer frame that projects beyond the rough framing inside the house. The measurements should be exact or within 1/8th inch.

Flashing details and shimming windows is critical. Shims need to be placed under the outer side jambs and/or where two windows are mulled together. The weight of the sashes and frames is concentrated at these points. Windows with built-in nailing flanges and flashings need to be installed so the top flange slides under a house wrap or felt paper. This will require you to make a precise slice in a water barrier. Tape the slice when finished.

The sides and bottom of the window must also be flashed. The flashing order resembles that of a chimney going up a roof. The bottom flashing work is done first and then the sides. The side flashings overlap the bottom flashing. Finally the top flashing is done and it overlaps the side flashings. This allows gravity to pull the water over the overlapping flashings, not under them.

Related Articles:  Wood Windows, NWWDA Certified Windows, Certified NWWDA Manufacturers, Buy Certified Wood Windows

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