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Fixed Windows

factotam | Posted in Construction Techniques on July 26, 2009 05:06am

Looking for suggestions as to details on fixed window frame construction and interior and exterior trim out. I will be taking out 3, 3×4 aluminum widows and replacing them with 3, 3×6 fixed windows using insulated glass, the outside glass having a low e coating and the interior glass having a light tint.

The existing windows are in a 6″ stud wall with ½” sheetrock on the inside and ¾” cedar siding on the outside. The interior window trim is just a sheet rock return, with about 7″ between windows. Since I have to reframe the rough opening to for the larger windows, I am thinking about taking out the sheet rock between the widows and removing what looks like may be 3 or 4 2×6 studs and placing the widows closer together with only 1 stud between them and trimming them out as one unit with wood molding. I believe my window jamb width will be about 7 ¼”. I guess my question is what is the best way to make the window frame and what size width, should I use jamb extensions and if so should they be on the inside. About how far from the outside should I place the glass and what would be the best interior apron detail and exterior windowsill detail. FHB No.51, 76-78, has a fixed window detail, but since the exterior siding is natural cedar and the window frame will be painted on the inside, I wanted the outside to match the rustic cedar, so the window sill detail will have to be different. I was thinking about using cedar for the exterior glass stops the cover the glass stops with 1×4 cedar trim leaving a ¼” reveal so the new window installation would match the rest of the house and looking from the outside just cedar would be seen. Thanks for any insight or design or construction detailing you might have to offer.

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  1. User avater
    Sphere | Jul 26, 2009 05:26pm | #1

    Them 3 or 4 studs might be holding a header or two, so I'd be checking that before anything else.

    Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

    Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations

    "If Brains was lard, you couldn't grease much of a pan"
    Jed Clampitt

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    1. factotam | Jul 26, 2009 06:54pm | #3

      thanks for your comment, yes i thought about that, i was going to check the size of the header and change it out if i need to, more then likely i will reposisition the studs so i can divide the space into 3 equal sizes, since the two outer windows are situated against brick and have no wood trim on the sides in contact with the brick, the brick is butted against the aluminum window frame and hiding the nailing flange, i planed on moving the new outer windows in a little to make room for 1x4 cedar trim

  2. Danno | Jul 26, 2009 05:38pm | #2

    To get you started--look at the discussion titled "Window Installation" in the folder "General Discussion."

    1. factotam | Jul 26, 2009 08:29pm | #5

      thanks, just went and read the messages posted there

  3. DanH | Jul 26, 2009 07:03pm | #4

    You want the glass close enough to the outside to discourage birds from roosting.

    As I stood before the gates I realized that I never want to be as certain about anything as were the people who built this place. --Rabbi Sheila Peltz, on her visit to Auschwitz
    1. factotam | Jul 26, 2009 08:34pm | #6

      good suggestion, i use to be a carpenter at a local college many years ago, the worst job they gave me when i was there was to clean the pigeon nests from the window ledges on a high rise, the nests were full of eggs, and newly hatched pigeons, never know why they thought carpenters should be given the task

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