Replies

1. 
   fingersandtoes | Aug 05, 2007 01:58am | #1

   Best practice is to line the bottom and sides of the opening with building paper or strips of wrap (there is some debate as to whether a top strip is necessary), install the window, then install the paper or sheathing over the flange. The exception is at the sill where the paper should be lapped under the bottom strip.

   Where to caulk and where the peel and stick go are another question altogether.

2. 
   davidmeiland | Aug 05, 2007 02:05am | #2

   IMO windows first is the quick and dirty method. Check the Tyvek or Typar websites for the full treatment, they are pretty much the same--wrap first.

1. 
   homedesign | Aug 05, 2007 04:13am | #3

   Here is a California detail (air Barrier Detail Video)

   http://www.energyvideos.com/bldvid.php?P=CA&A=5&S=wra

   different than FingersandToes method or Tyvek/Typar practice

    

   Edited 8/4/2007 9:15 pm by homedesign

3. 
   DanH | Aug 05, 2007 04:35am | #4

   We're talking California and Texas. Doesn't rain either place, so hardly makes a difference.

   You've got two requirements: Air sealing and rain shedding. If the window has a nailing flange then either approach is fine. A strip of sellf-stick rubber membrane or just sheathing tape can be applied to the top of the top flange to assure that rain is shed, if you go wrap-first. Otherwise you just tape (or membrane) the wrap to the nail flange all around.

   With "old fashioned" windows it's probably best to go wrap-first so that the window molding can be calked to the wrap. Metal Z flashing should be used along the top, taped to the wrap. If the wrap is installed after the window then it must be laboriously taped to the window molding.

   So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin
1. 
   davidmeiland | Aug 05, 2007 06:24am | #5

   Wait... if the window goes in first, how does the bottom flange get over the top of the wrap when it goes on? Or is it just reverse-lapped and you depend on the adhesive on the tape for your flashing?

1. 
   DanH | Aug 05, 2007 06:36am | #6

   You either depend on your adhesive or you pry the bottom flange up and slide the paper under.
   So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin

1. 
   davidmeiland | Aug 05, 2007 07:45am | #7

   I can't bring myself to do it...

2. 
   Geoffrey | Aug 06, 2007 12:57am | #8

   <<You either depend on your adhesive or you pry the bottom flange up and slide the paper under.>>

    or, better yet, you apply an 8-10" wide strip of house wrap across the bottom of the sill prior to installing the window, leaving the bottom most portion unfastened, so you can slip the rest of the wrap up under it to get your "shingling effect",  saves a whole lot of "goobering"

                                       Geoff