Just found out that the two windows in my living room that were installed by the previous owner are the kind that are supposed to be installed vertically (dont know the official name for this).
They were, however, installed horizontally. I’m not sure why but they are. Would doing so be a risk of leaking into the walls from the exposed side facing out?
See pics
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Replies
Very interesting. I figure the previous HO probably got those windows as a cheap buy of a goof on an order or something like that....
As far as any leaking is concerned, the fact these double-hungs are installed lying on their sides shouldn't have much effect. The important thing would be whether or not the installer put in proper flashings. You'll have to check outside to find this out.
The main problem I would wonder about in this case would be wear and tear on the side of the sash that's down, since it wasn't designed to have its entire weight of itself sliding on the jamb surface. Also, I can't help but wonder what's happened to the sash weights; they probably got pulled to the 'up' position the first time each sash was slid open and have stayed there ever since with the sash cord getting yanked to and fro inside the pocket everytime the window is opened or closed. Do they slide open and closed easily?
Dinosaur
'Y-a-tu de la justice dans ce maudit monde?
Yes, I think there is sufficient flashing on the outside but i'll check. They do open rather easily. Not sure but I dont think there are sash weights in these.
We dont open them that much because of the kids so there isnt much wear and tear problem.
L
In that case, if your flashing is properly installed and caulked, don't worry about it. If you start having problems opening them when the kids grow older and the sash cord gets stuck, you can probably open up the casing and remove the weights and cords completely.
Dinosaur
'Y-a-tu de la justice dans ce maudit monde?
Many new double-hungs actually give you an option to install horizontally. They don't use weights, and the springs can be disabled for this application. Unless the installer did something wrong, the windows should be fine this way.
saul
Makes sense, I suppose. Double-hungs aren't used very often around here, so I don't see many new ones. Mostly cranked double casements with only one side opening is what we find on newer construction. In older houses and chalets we are often dealing with French windows, many of which were hand-built 50 or 60 years ago. I make a few batches of replacement storm windows for these every year as they take most of the wear and tear....Dinosaur
'Y-a-tu de la justice dans ce maudit monde?
are you guys nuts ?
you can't install a DH window on it's side .. what's going to keep the water from running into the jambs ?
once it get's into the jamb on the lower sash.. where is it going to go? into the pan and back out ?
stop and think about it .. there is no sill pitched to the ouside to shed the water back out.. so unless he's got a pan flash under the jamb piched to the outside , it's going to find it's way inside the wall..
what do you think the odds are that he installed these so they won't leak ?Mike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
Mikey--
There's lots of places up here with dual slider window units. I don't like them much, but they do work. The kind of double sliders we often see are typically installed in basements instead of awning-types, or in combo units mounted underneath big picture windows. If he's got the proper flashing on the installation--including a good sill flashing, appropriately pitched as you say--it should not be a major problem to drill weeps to drain the channels into the flashing pan.
Obviously, the whole thing isn't ideal unless the window in question was intended as a dual-use type unit. Which I can't tell from here, of course. Doesn't much look like it from the photos. But he ought to be able to make it work for less than it would cost him to replace the whole unit.Dinosaur
'Y-a-tu de la justice dans ce maudit monde?
Well, i'm not sure about the flashing. I havent been up there on the outside to take a real close look. The windows aren't "new". I'd say they are about 15 or so years old. Don't know if that makes a difference or not.
I'm having a contractor I know come out and take a peak. Maybe I'll just replace them for peace of mind.
Is this in a modular house? They may have plopped it on the wrong side! ;-)I agree with Mike Smith...it ain't right...jocobeView Image
You should be able to see the head and sill flashings by sticking your head out the window. If they are there at all (not always the case, which is the question here!) it would be unusual for them to be incorrectly installed. Someone conscientious enough to install them in the first place would be likely to get it right as it isn't that complicated.
In any event, your contractor ought to be able to spot the flashing or lack thereof, at least one would hope so.Dinosaur
'Y-a-tu de la justice dans ce maudit monde?
That's telling them!
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