My next remodel job requires the retrofitting windows in a vinyl sided shed – builder’s felt underneath and no wall sheathing. Having no vinyl experience but an understanding of the fundamentals, I could use a few pointers with this little challenge. If the quickest/best way is to just unzip and strip the wall down to the bottom of the window, I’ve got it covered.
If not, my question deals with cutting the opening to the desired size while being able to nail J-channel and slip the siding in. Does one peel back the siding enough on either side of the opening in order to nail window flanges and J-channel, then bow pieces into the J-channel and re-lock them? I can visualize a wrestling match in trying to nail the undersill in this scenario, too.
Or, is there an acceptable way to avoid J-channel using other flashing techniques?
Replies
un zip it..
easiest and fastest by far....
least amount of trouble too...
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Take the siding off the wall until you get below the bottom of the new RO.
Frame in your windows and cut out your hole. Repair any felt they may have gotten damaged.
Nail in your window, leave the bottom nail loose and put a piece of flat aluminum stock underneath it, long enough to drain down onto the next piece of siding without interfering with locking the following piece in. Then nail off the bottom of the window.
Ice and water shield the side fins then the top fin.
Some vinyl windows come with the J-channel already molded into the unit. Worth looking into.
If you get one without J-channel, get some 1/4" foam and cut 3" wide strips for each of the four sides of the window and nail them on. Makes putting on the j-channel easier, if you don't put the foam on when you nail the J off it will pull away from the window.
When you cut your pieces of J-channel cut only the trough of the J out leaving the back as flashing.
I'm only half as dumb as I look.
Thanks guys, I'm not surprised to hear that's the way. I'm curious if you're using the flat stock in place of undersill channel, though. About the foam, too - not sure what kind of foam you mean and if it's going inside the J or between the channel and the window. I can't picture what it's doing yet. Thanks for the tips. Yes, it would be nice to use some windows with channel integrated, but these windows are a good ol' salvage effort, reusing some aluminum ones.
No the aluminum stock gives the water that leaks in past the siding at the J-channel a direct path out through the weep holes in the piece below the window. The stock will go under the bottom nailing flange.
The foam will go on after the window is nailed in. All this does is give you a flat spot to put your J-channel on. Most times the nail flange of the window is not perfectly flat, as you try to nail the J on it pulls away from the window.
I use a "fan fold" 1/4" foam made by OC. I'm only half as dumb as I look.