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Shop Class

How-To

Shop Class: How to Install Nail-Fin Windows in 5 Common Wall Types

Builder Jake Bruton demonstrates trusted window-flashing details for walls with the following water-resistive barriers: Zip System sheathing, exterior rigid-foam insulation, housewrap, peel-and-stick membrane, and fluid-applied WRB.

By Jake Bruton

There are many ways to build exterior walls that reliably shed rainwater and stop air infiltration, but they all have two things in common: durable water-resistive barriers (WRBs) and well-executed flashing details. We’ve invited home builder Jake Bruton into the Fine Homebuilding video studio to show us how to get the window-flashing details right for five of the most common WRBs in this edition of the Shop Class video series.

We’ve created four episodes for each wall type, covering everything from preparing the window rough opening to the final air-sealing after the window is installed. Choose the video below for the wall system you’re using for your project, or watch the entire series to help you choose the WRB and flashing details that best fit your needs.

install and flash a window over Zip System sheathing Installing a Nail-Fin Window
Over Zip System Sheathing
Install and flash a window in a wall with rigid foam sheathing Installing a Nail-Fin Window
Over Rigid-Foam Insulation
Install and flash a window over housewrap Installing a Nail-Fin Window
Over Housewrap
Install and flash a window over peel-and-stick housewrap Installing a Nail-Fin Window
Over Peel-and-Stick Housewrap
Install and flash a window over a liquid-applied WRB Installing a Nail-Fin Window
Over a Fluid-Applied WRB

 

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Videos in the Series

  • Part 1: Prepare a Rough Opening for a Nail-Fin Window Over a Fluid-Applied WRB

    Use the liquid WRB and a piece of bevel siding to build a sloped sill before liquid-flashing the entire surface.

  • Part 2: Install a Nail-Fin Window Over a Fluid-Applied WRB

    Dry-fit the window, then run a bead of liquid flashing that provides an extra layer of protection against water intrusion.

  • Part 3: Flash a Nail-Fin Window Over a Fluid-Applied WRB

    Mask off the window to keep things clean when you flash the window flange to the wall.

  • Part 4: Air-Seal and Insulate a Nail-Fin Window Over a Fluid-Applied WRB

    Spray foam and high-quality sealant bridge all of the gaps between the framing, shims, and window for a durable and energy-efficient installation.

  • Have a different type of wall? Check out the full video series

    See additional window-flashing details for walls with Zip System sheathing, Exterior Rigid Foam, Housewrap, and Peel-and-stick Membranes

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About This Video Series

As we add thicker insulation and more water-sensitive materials to the walls of our houses, it becomes increasingly important to detail our exterior walls to keep water out. Window flashing is one of the parts of a house where this matters most. Getting flashing details right for the common nail-fin-style window means making leakproof transitions between the water-resistive barrier (WRB) and the flanges that fasten the window to the wall. In this Fine Homebuilding Shop… More about this Video Series

View Comments

  1. Periodcraftsmen | Mar 23, 2020 12:40pm | #1

    All,

    This was a great video series and very informative. Thank you for taking the time to educate us.

    Cheers!

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