Replies

1. 
   RW | May 11, 2003 06:29pm | #1

   1/8" gap is sufficient, if everything is square as can be. That's a little snug for slipping a window unit in for my tastes. When I replace them, I measure the opening looking for the closest points, and take 3/8" to 1/2" off the total. That's your outside unit dimension, which includes your brikmold. If Pella is saying 3/8 each side, you're still probably fine, albeit with room to spare. You want it snug as you can and still get it in without having to use a rubber mallet or something on it. Done right, you shouldn't have gaps wide enough to necessitate backer rod. You also don't want it so tight you can't shim it square.

   "The child is grown / The dream is gone / And I have become / Comfortably numb "      lyrics by Roger Waters

2. 
   geob21 | May 11, 2003 07:52pm | #2

   The gap is for a reason. Bricks don't shrink but the house framing will. If you set the brick too close as the interior framing settles and shrinks the window will get caught on the brick and fail to operate properly.  The only fix is removing bricks which is expensive and ugly when it's not done correctly the first time.

   _________________________________________________________

   If you were arrested for being a quality builder would there be enough evidence to convict you?
1. 
   RW | May 11, 2003 10:50pm | #3

   good point. I suppose we ought to find out if this is new or if things already settled 50 years ago."The child is grown / The dream is gone / And I have become / Comfortably numb "      lyrics by Roger Waters

3. 
   Piffin | May 12, 2003 05:25am | #4

   1/8" might be sufficient on sides but I want 3/8" under that sill.

   Pella's have some of the worst fitting units I have ever used so they will be looking for any reason to void warrantee back at you if you havea complaint. Will bricklayer warrantee it and put it in writing with a surety bond?

   I didn't think so.

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   Excellence is its own reward!