Hi FHB
New construction – vertical shiplap, cedar siding – Anderson A Series Windows with pre-made frames that snap as one piece around exterior window with metal rain cap.
The window openings are very well prepared prior to the window install including
an angled to the outside window pan. The sheathing around the window and framing
are sealed with ZIP tape, window installed and chalked per instructions, then the flange is taped again to the sheathing tape (not the bottom of window on the tape) , then weather house wrap drapes over. An Anderson supplied drip edge was installed on top of the window, 3M tape seals the top after nailed into position then house wrap drapes over rain cap. Basically the window is very well sealed and there were no leaks during wind blown heavy rain even before the siding and exterior window trim went on.
So the siding is up and my carpenter said only chalk the sides – not the top or the bottom.
I’ve been chalking the sides where the window trim meets the shiplap, and it bothers me to see the top of the window with a 1/8 inch or so gap where the drip cap meets the siding. My quess is this allows water to flow out if any was to penetrate but then I think it would look better chalked and prevent water from getting between the drip cap and siding above it. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thank you FHB
Replies
You mean caulked not chalked!
You would not caulk the joint between siding and drip cap. Think of water getting behind the upper portions of your siding and running down the house wrap when it hits the drip cap it needs to get out through the gap you are leaving. If you caulk that gap you will be trapping moisture.
On a side note 1/8" of an inch gap doesn't sound like it's large enough. Refer to manufacturer of siding's requirements but it's usually larger than 1/8