Window Wrap 2

Window Wrap, part two.

Left-I particularly like that the wall was partially sided allowing the Vycor flashing to shed any water that may come down/through/around the window (don't forget about condensation) well out over the moisture barrier to the weather face of the shingles.


Before I ever place a window, I like to make sure the sill and the framing are protected. On commercial projects quite often a soldered pan is used with an up return on the inside, positive slope to the outside and appropriate counter flashing.

Considering the 52" overhang just 4' above on Lois's house, I thought this combination of tar paper (30#) and Vycor was more than sufficient.


Left-The 'butterfly'. A simple strip (cut from scrap or end of roll) that is stretched out to seal up the pinhole in the corner left, no matter how carefully you did your tar paper and flashing.
Right-Joe demonstrates his excellent eye sight and attention to detail as he places the Milgard aluminum window.

Once the window is installed and level, we nail or screw it off, depending on siding/trim details. Don't nail the top because when the building moves/settles, you don't want your glass to break.

Then, the primary waterproofing is applied to the bottom first, then the sides. This is a piece of tape that seals to the continueous flange of an aluminum or vinyl window and goes beyond the holes that will be made nailing up the trim. Then the top flashing would be installed-however in this case (see part 1) there was no need.

Right-Joe applies the primary waterproofing, pealing back the paper as he goes and working in the direction of gravity.

The shingles will be fit directly up to the aluminum window which has about a 1- 1/4" protrusion from the sheathing. The shingles at their thickest are only 7/8".

I wouldn't normally use shingles (never on a roof) as I prefer my old growth cedar standing. But in small amounts, in the right places (here matching existing), they can be very effective. With the overhangs, these shingles will look good and protect the wall assembly for 50 years easy.

Left-Joe performs two tests simultaneously. One, demonstrating how to peel the paper off the Vykor, the other looking directly at the flash so we could test the red eye on my new Panasonic Lumix.