So. . . describe the way that you handle window and door installation. I’m not sure if we do it the same way as other builders.
Our framing sub fires them into the rough openings, makes sure they are more or less level, and nails off the nailing flange. Later, we set them and foam them off.
The framers go as fast as they possibly can, the goal being (usually) to complete an entire house in a day. Our biggest problem is that the jamb doesn’t always sit a neat 1/2″ past the framing on the inside.
Setting the windows and doors is kind of a big deal, later on. Sometimes we pull all the nails out of the nailing flange to muscle the window or door to where it wants to be. This is a pain.
From a logistics standpoint, I completely understand the rationale behind having the windows and doors delivered and getting them into the rough openings. But sometimes I wonder if a more efficient method would be to install all the units sufficiently *the first time around.*
What do you do?
Replies
I think your boss needs to inforn your framers to do it right or they won't get paid!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That's pretty much what I'm thinking, the truth IS stranger than fiction.
I know that he likes to see them all in the rough openings on that day, to simplify delivery. All the windows and doors show up, and at least they're all where they belong.
I would say then you just have to deal with it.
Well, yes. I'm more interested in how other people do it.
I'm more interested in how other people do it.>>>>>>>>>>>.
Then ask!
I thought I did. :-)
Sounds like the framers are getting done quicker at your expense. If they're not going to get them square, the least the could do is use a few screws instead of a bunch of nails.
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it seems to me that windows and doors not sitting at the right depth is more a problem with poor framing than poor window or door installation.
I refuse to accept that there are limitations to what we can accomplish. Pete Draganic
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It's a combination of both.
One can overcome the other only to a degree.
But for the installers to ignore loosely nailed sheathing or grossly crosslegged door ro's is not good.
It requires a team effort.
"When the spirits are low, when the day appears dark, when work becomes monotonous, when hope hardly seems worth having, just mount a bicycle and go out for a spin down the road, without thought on anything but the ride you are taking." — Sherlock Holmes, 1896
Not usually Pete,
Most windows with the nailing flange have the type of flange that folds out when you are popping it into the opening.
They don't want to open all the way to 90 deg. without a little persuasion once the unit is slid into the opening..
It seems like unless the installers pry them in a bit before nailing off the liner is left a little short of where they should be.
Poor framing might result in an out of square window or one with a bow in it.
Of course if you use vinyl then the flange is always at 90 deg. unless they get curled from rough handling.
I worked for a number of contractors before I went to work for Joe. Joe's crew was ten times faster than any other contractor. They didn't do it by cutting corners, they did it by being efficient and not having to redo anything. We would install doors and windows correctly the first time. Measurements were taken between adjacent windows and that was carefully kept the same. We would write that dimension on the building wrap in big numbers. When it came time for the siding, the cutter could have all the pieces cut while the rest of the crew was setting up. You would never see this crew standing, waiting for the cutter. He was always way ahead of the nailers. I laugh when I see siding crews standing around waiting. I learned so much from this crew despite a 15 yr. background working for others. Prices were pretty much fixed for shelling houses. We made good money and often had Friday afternoons off with pay. Other crews working in the same development were going broke and taking much longer. You can't make money going back and fixing things.
Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
Our framer cuts corners like it's going out of style. It sucks so bad.
One really annoying habit that he's developed is standing all the walls without housewrap, no matter how inaccessible they are. But he's still supposed to do the housewrap, so his guys grab a roll and run around the first storey, once. He then neglects to do whatever's left - so we do it, and he gets backcharged.This happens consistently. Later, when we do the housewrap off ladders, our boss admonishes us to make the Tyvek as neat as possible because he hates messy Tyvek. But do it fast! Because we're in a rush.This is already a pain, but then his guys have a bad habit of also not nailing off all their sheathing, so there will be random sheets of OSB that need to be nailed first. On the last house, I had to nail off the field for the entire back side of the house. What a mess.
If you have pointed this out to your boss, quick complaining and just put in in your timesheet and forget about it.
There must be a reason the boss keeps him coming back, I would assume it is because he is so cheap. Your boss probably knows that he is getting substandard work and is depending on you, his employess to straighten it out.
As far as installing windows, of which in my life I have installed and been responsible for 1000's of installations, you need to read the instruction sheet or find the web site for the manufactorors directions on how they want the windows installed.
I know that framers are not paid much to install windows, more of a throw in that GC's want. This is slowly changing around here, but will take years.
Again I repeat, window manufactorors have their own installation guidelines and if you want to collect on warentees they must be followed to the letter.
We do all carpentry in house. The framers set the windows, install the siding, and trim the inside. It's in their best interest to do it right the first time.
Our framer wouldn't touch finish carpentry. According to him.
You didn't say anything about the most important part - the pan flashings and wrap.
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Oh man, don't get me started on that. We do that in house (i.e., I do it) because my boss doesn't trust the framers to do it.Except I wouldn't say we do it correctly.Whatever. I'm a newb and my boss is a control freak (which is fine), so I just do whatever he wants to see.