Greetings all,
First post as a new subscriber!
My wife and I are looking to build our own house this year and I am trying to find information on window depth. I have no problem finding information about width/height. My studs are going to be 2×6 with 1/2″ exterior sheathing before siding installation. I may or may not add a layer of rigid insulation on the interior of the walls.
My question is what depth of window can I, or should I, consider when ordering windows? Is there a range or a specific depth that is required based on these factors.
Thanks,
Chad
Replies
You can order many windows for pretty much any depth wall from a good lumber yard, but I'd just order the windows for a standard 2x4 wall, and install my own extension jambs to the finished wall depth. Plus, doing the extensions on site will most likely be cheaper than from the factory.
I kind of figured I could go that way but wanted to be sure. It makes total sense what you're saying...thanks for the feedback!
What kind of windows are you looking at installing. Unless you are going with wood windows, you will be casing out the opening after installation, so depth is irrelevant if you are installing vinyl or fiberglass windows. Also, the foam goes on the outside of the sheathing and the thickness you need depends on your climate zone. 1/2 inch is good for climate zone 2. Also, you might want to consider Zip R-sheathing with the thickness of foam for your climate zone.
Definitely going with vinyl/fibreglass. I kind of figured I could with the shallow window. It makes total sense what you're saying...thanks for the feedback!
You're jumping way ahead of yourself. Start with the plans... The complete wall details--sheathing/insulation/studs/drywall, etc will be there. From the finished wall thickness, order your windows with the required extensions. Doesn't matter,... wood or vinyl they both need extensions to match the finished wall thickness.
Why would one order extensions for 2x4 walls only to extend them further on-site? Window extensions built on site are cheaper? What decade are you living in? Assembly-line, factory made, complete windows with extensions will always be cheaper. It's one of the reasons why people are able to afford larger homes than in previous generations. Factory built kitchen and bath cabinets v on-site construction, pre-hung doors from a factory with holes for hardware, prefinished hardwood floors, factory built stairs and railings, factory built roof truss systems (used almost exclusively here in Canada), pre-primed trim, a factory made roll of plastic tubing v elbows and lengths of copper tubing. SS jacketed flexible supply lines v tubes and compression fittings. Even drywall has become an almost finished "plaster" wall in the minds of the consumer. For low cost homes there are even more factory-made cost savings.--plastic tub and shower surrounds, vanities, counter tops and sinks in one stand-alone unit, interior doors complete with pre-cut trim.