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Installing Windows in New Construction
How to Install Windows to Ensure Smooth Operation
and Prevent Water and Air Infiltration
By Mark J. Donovan
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Installing windows in new construction is much easier
than installing a window in a finished home. There’s no house siding
or trim to remove and you have easy visibility to the framing members
in the wall. Most new windows today have a vinyl or metal nailing
flange or fin that wraps around the perimeter of the window that makes
window installation a breeze. The nailing flange is approximately
1-1/2 inches wide and is perforated with nailing holes all along its
length. The nailing flange also offers the additional benefit of
acting as a weather seal to prevent water and air infiltration.
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Before installing the new window, compare the window dimensions with the
window frame rough opening. There’s no sense lifting up and attempting to
install a large and heavy window into a window opening that’s the wrong size.
To install a window in new construction make sure the rough window opening is
clean and free from any debris. Also make sure that the house sheathing is flush
with the window opening framing. In addition, make sure the house wrap covers
all around the window opening and that any excess house wrap is stapled down to
the window framing.
Next place and center the new window into the rough window opening. Make sure
the nailing flanges are flush with the house sheathing around all of the window
sides.
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While another person holds the window in place on the
outside of the new construction, square and plumb the window in the opening
from the inside using a level. You may need to install a few shims to square
and plumb up the window. Also check if the window is square by measuring the
diagonals of the window. The two diagonal measurements should be the same.
Normally if the window is new, closed, and has a shipping band around its
middle it is square.
Once the window is in proper position, fasten the window to the house by
nailing it into place along the nailing flange with roofing nails.
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Place nails every 4 to 6 inches along the window. Use 1-1/2 inch long roofing
nails to ensure deep penetration into the wall studs behind the house sheathing.
After nailing the window in place cut away the shipping band usually located
around the center of the window and try opening and closing the window. It
should open and close freely with little pressure.
Finally, after installing the window, apply a 6 inch wide band of ice and water
shield over the nailing flanges for extra protection against water and air
infiltration. Install the ice and water shield by first doing the bottom side of
the window, followed by the vertical sides, and finally the top.
For more information on
Installing a New Window, see the
Installing a New Window Ebook from
HomeAdditionPlus.com. The Installing a New Window Ebook provides easy to
understand, step-by-step instructions, on how to remove an old window and
install a new one. Pictures are included for every key step in the process.
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