previous
  • An Introduction to Thermal Imaging
    An Introduction to Thermal Imaging
  • Replacing a Roof : Installing a Ridge Vent
    Replacing a Roof : Installing a Ridge Vent
  • Fine Homebuilding: The Digital Issues
    Fine Homebuilding: The Digital Issues
  • Top 10 Videos of 2011
    Top 10 Videos of 2011
  • Seven Steps to Choosing the Perfect Circular Saw
    Seven Steps to Choosing the Perfect Circular Saw
  • Tool Test Preview: Compact Compressors
    Tool Test Preview: Compact Compressors
  • VIDEO: Stop Paint from Bleeding
    VIDEO: Stop Paint from Bleeding
  • 7 Small Bathroom Layouts
    7 Small Bathroom Layouts
  • 10 Basement-Remodeling Tips and Techniques
    10 Basement-Remodeling Tips and Techniques
  • How to Avoid Complicated Fractions
    How to Avoid Complicated Fractions
  • 7 Solutions for Kitchen Layout and Design
    7 Solutions for Kitchen Layout and Design
  • The Inspector Game: Goofs on a Roof
    The Inspector Game: Goofs on a Roof
  • Roofing articles, videos, tools, and materials
    Roofing articles, videos, tools, and materials
  • Buyer's Guide to Insulation
    Buyer's Guide to Insulation
  • Your Guide to Energy Smart Homes
    Your Guide to Energy Smart Homes
next

Building Skills

Building Skills


BUILDING SKILLS: How To Cut Housewrap For Window Rough Openings

comments (3) July 30th, 2010 in Blogs        
JFink Justin Fink, Senior Editor
6 users recommend

Video Length: 1:16
Produced by: John Ross


Wrap first, cut later

The easiest way to apply house wrap is to go right over the window and door rough openings. Then, you have to come back and cut through in order to install the windws and doors. For this opening, I'm going to cut what I call an "upside-down wine glass." That's just a term I've made up to help me remember the right places to make all of the cuts.

Smart cuts protect your walls

First, make an angled cut above each corner, and then a straight cut underneath the entire header, connecting those first two angled slits. That's basically going to make a flap that gets tucked up out of the way that will eventually cover the top window flange. Then, you're going to cut straight down the middle to about 5 or 6 inches above the bottom of the rough opening, and you're going to go straight across and down at an angle at each side. What that's going to do is give you the right pattern of housewrap in the right directions to shed water to the outside of the wall. Once all the cuts are made, you can fold the flaps in, cut off all the excess, and staple everything to the inside of the rough opening. Now, after the window is in, and the peel-and-stick flashing is on, everything will be nice and weathertight.


Windows and Doors
Windows and Doors
Hands-On Advice for the Homeowner $19.95 more info...


posted in: Blogs, framing, water and moisture control, siding

Comments (3)

lettusbee lettusbee writes: www.Stingercapstapler.com
Posted: 10:42 pm on August 3rd

woody13050 woody13050 writes: I'd like to know what type of nailer he was useing for securing the tyvek
Posted: 1:07 pm on August 3rd

MikeGuertin MikeGuertin writes: The "upside down wine glass" method was state of the art 5 - 10 years ago. The method most window and housewrap manufacturers are moving to is a full 'I' cut where the bottom cut is straight across the rough sill.

The problem with the method shown in this video is the sill flap interfers with the sill pan flashing when you are using a self-adhering flashing tape. The flap prevents the flashing tape from bonding to the rough sill and can lead to bunching up of the membrane that may leave water puddled beneath the window.

I go one step further when cutting the housewrap from an opening. Instead of a single vertical cut in the center of the opening, I gauge in from the jack studs about 4 in. (for 2x4 walls) or 6 in. (for 2x6 walls) and make vertical cuts at each side. This leaves a large piece of housewrap that can be used in any one of a number of other value-added housewrap upgrades like a 'high pressure wind skirt' or double wrapping inside and outside corners. Very large pieces from door openings are often big enough to wrap dormer walls or spaces between windows elsewhere.
Posted: 9:07 am on July 30th

You must be logged in to post comments. Click here to login.