Repair or replace broken and missing window flanges
[Long story] so I ended up with three windows for an addition that have never been installed, but have lost their flanges on several sides.
Is there anyway to repair or replace a missing flange? Where do you get the material?
Replies
jp
the easy answer is from the manufacturer of the window. Some of these flanges (if not all) are peculiar to the window for proper fit.
If they were not the snap in kind, but integrated into the frame itselt-you might be screwed..................
however, for mounting these you can seek out some of the accessory mounting "tabs" from one of the suppliers that has them for their windows.
Some slip into (snap, barbed bead like on the fins) a groove in the frame, you do add screws to this tab fo secure them to the frame. They lay flat and point to the inside-you bring the strap in and bend it around your wall framing on the inside-screw or nail it off to hold the window in place. Take a look at Marvin, Andersen or Pella for a better explanation of the install using their "clips".
Nail fins are just an "installation assistant". Thay are not structural and most if not all manufacturers would say that the nail fin can not be the only installation method used. That being said, you can use these units and install them with clips or nailing through the jambs into the framing (my preferred method). As far as weatherproofing the unit, nail fins help but, the tape used to seal the unit should lap up onto the frame of the unit beyond the nail fin anyway.
Yep, nail fins have only existed for maybe 25-30 years. Before that you fastened through the jamb somehow, and sealed around the edges as best you could. I'd recommend screws through the jambs -- easier to pull the jamb exactly straight. Wrapping the sheathing tape or rubber flashing up onto the edge of the jamb takes time, but it's not that hard.
As others said ... may not be an issue. I've ordered windows w/out flanges before (e.g. for a retrofit in existing old wood window frames) and they simply just cut them off before delivery. Nail or screw them through the jambs into the framing (after shimming and plumbing them, of course). Flash and caulk as appropriate.