FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter Instagram Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe

In every issue you'll find...

  • Expert insights on techniques and principles
  • Unbiased tool reviews
  • Step-by-step details to master the job
  • Field-tested advice and know-how
Subscribe Now!
Subscribe
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
  • Join
  • Log In
Subscribe

Discussion Forum

Discussion Forum

Window flashing in furred out rainscreen wall

captainjohn | Posted in Construction Techniques on July 6, 2021 03:26pm

I am trying to figure out what the best practice is for window replacement in a rain screen wall.  I am replacing windows and siding in a remodel.  The siding will be James Hardie over a rainscreen created by using 1/2 inch furring strips.  My question is should the windows be installed with nail flanges nailed to the sheathing, or should I furr the windows out 1/2 inch to match the furring strips for the rain screen? it would seem  that attaching the windows to the existing sheathing is easier and does not cause issues with existing interior trim, but does this create problems on the exterior if the siding sticks out past the windows?  I really wanted to run the siding into the window rather than picture frame heavy trim around them.  Furring out the windows makes tying into the WRB more difficult but Peel and Stick flashing should make it workable.

My research seems to indicate nailing directly to the sheathing is the way to go, but why would furring them out not be just as good?  I haven’t done windows in a long time.  Are the new units made with deeper jambs to accomodate rainscreens?

I’m sure some of you that do a lot of siding and windows have very good opinions on this.  Thanks in advance.

Reply

Replies

  1. sdking | Jul 06, 2021 08:07pm | #1

    You could do it either way as long as it is waterproofed properly behind the cladding. With rainscreen systems you always need to assume that the sheathing (or membrane on sheathing) behind the cladding can get wet and needs to drain downward - so the window opening and flashing needs to be detailed to accommodate this.

    Going directly to the sheathing is easier because you would just flash the bottom pan of the opening, install the window and use peel-and-stick flashing over the flanges and you're done. With furring, you would need to make sure the flashing waterproofs the furring to the sheathing joint as well, which would require more flashing and work on every window. If it makes the exterior alignment easier it may be worth it, but the 1/2" size you have is not very much - you could likely make it up with a thin trim or angle around the window that the Hardie board can butt into if a wide trim is something you don't want. It's perfectly fine for the window to be recessed back a bit - it just requires a little more depth of trim.

    If you haven't ordered the windows yet, you may be able to get deeper flange depths to accommodate the cladding thickness as well - but that might be a custom cost.

  2. marv | Jul 30, 2021 05:21pm | #2

    I'm a little late but I will put in my 2 cents.

    I vote for putting 1/2" furring strips on top of wall cladding and then attach windows. I use a 3" wide piece of furring, I also prime the furring so it will grab the sealing tape. This will leave the full 1" of window casing available to catch the Hardy siding. If you put the furring over the window flange, you will only have 1/2" left to catch the siding.

  3. User avater
    tfarwell | Aug 01, 2021 12:19am | #3

    I did 1/2 plywood furring on my siding (new lap siding over existing plywood T-111). I framed out the window openings with 1/2" plywood strips as well and attached the nailing flanges to that. It worked really well. This allowed me to cover the plywood edges with peel-and-stick over the furring into the openings. Since I went over existing plywood siding, I added building felt as my WRB, strips over that. Drip edge was a normal installation. House has been painted for 7 years (Oregon - wet) and it still look new - so there's no moisture issues.

    I pulled out the old aluminum windows and put in new vinyl. This left about a 3/8" gap between the new frame and existing interior trim (painted white). I fabricated some 1/4" by 3/4" trim strips to cover the gap - caulked and painted, and they are basically invisible. I filled the gap with foam backer rod.

    A couple of other points:

    The house was built in 1977, so there was no seismic strapping. I added it between floors and up at the trusses. Since I have wood lap siding (light weight spruce), I put the furring next to the straps, which are nailed into the studs.

    I extended the door frames, including the garage with 1/2" Doug Fir strips, then trim over that. Rather than trying to make them perfectly blend in, I added a 1/8" reveal and caulked them. They look like a trim feature.

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Video Shorts

Categories

  • Business
  • Code Questions
  • Construction Techniques
  • Energy, Heating & Insulation
  • General Discussion
  • Help/Work Wanted
  • Photo Gallery
  • Reader Classified
  • Tools for Home Building

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

Will Insulating a Crawlspace Save Me Money?

A crawlspace doesn't have to be the exact same temperature as the rest of the home. Instead, focus on controlling moisture accumulation.

Featured Video

How to Install Cable Rail Around Wood-Post Corners

Use these tips to keep cables tight and straight for a professional-looking deck-railing job.

Related Stories

  • Podcast 533: Missing-Middle Housing, Collateral Damage From Demo, and Midwest BS Symposium
  • Podcast 533: Member’s only Aftershow — Training for Tradework
  • Insulation Project Guide
  • Insulating a Roof: Getting Higher R-Value

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

BOOKS, DVDs, & MERCH

Shop the Store
  • Pretty Good House
    Buy Now
  • 2022 Fine Homebuilding Archive
    Buy Now
  • Code Check Building 4th Edition
    Buy Now
  • 2023 Tool Guide
    Buy Now
  • Shop the Store

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 313 - Feb/March 2023
    • Practical System for a Seismic Retrofit
    • Fine Homebuilding Issue #313 Online Highlights
    • Practical System for a Seismic Retrofit
  • Issue 312 - Dec 2022/Jan 2023
    • Tool Test: Cordless Tablesaws
    • Gray-Water System for a Sustainable Home
    • Insulate a Cape Roof to Avoid Ice Dams
  • Issue 311 - November 2022
    • 7 Steps to a Perfect Exterior Paint Job
    • Options for Smarter Home-Energy Tracking
    • The Fine Homebuilding Interview: James Metoyer
  • Issue 310 - October 2022
    • Choosing a Tile-Leveling System
    • Choosing Between HRVs and ERVs
    • Custom Built-in Cabinets Made Easy
  • Issue 309 - Aug/Sept 2022
    • 10 Steps to Install Crown Molding on Cabinets
    • How to Get Sturdy Walls Without OSB
    • Choosing the Right Construction Tape for the Job

Fine Homebuilding

Follow

  • twitter
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • pinterest

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences

Taunton Network

  • Green Building Advisor
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Fine Gardening
  • Threads
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Copyright
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2023 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved.

X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Shop the Store

  • Books
  • DVDs
  • Taunton Workshops

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • twitter
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • pinterest

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in