How to Install a Double-Hung Window in a Wood Wall, Continued

• Allen laid a bead of caulk down the center of the flange. This was the first of several moisture and air seals. Now they were ready to set the window in place.

• They began by setting the bottom of the window down on the sill and then they carefully tipped it up into place with the flange in contact with the frame.

• Ron sent Allen inside to make sure the window was centered in the opening. Ron checked for level and discovered that they were a little low on one corner. Ron lifted the corner up and Allen slipped a shim under it and adjusted it until the window was perfectly level.

• Next they drove rust resistant galvanized roughing nails through the flange and into the framing.

• For the places that were too tight for a hammerhead, Allen used a drift pin to drive the nails into place.

• They got a good seal all the way around the window with the flange securely in place except for in one corner. To cover the remaining gap, they used a self-adhesive, rubber corner seal.

• As an additional barrier against air and moisture, they put in strips of roofing paper and tucked the edges behind the siding using a putty knife.

• They applied a bead of caulk where the roofing paper met the edge of the siding. This second barrier was important since even a small water leak over time can cause significant damage.

• They filled up the remaining gaps with strips of wood. Ron showed Allen how to just drop them into the gaps and then nail the strips into place.

3. Trim and molding:

• They were finally ready to attach the trim. They started with a top piece and then used a side piece to align the end.

• They used rust resistant finish nails to attach the trim into place and then Allen added a final bead of caulk around the trim.

• Ron smoothed the caulk out using his finger to press it down into the grooves of the siding and the exterior portion of the project was complete.

• They headed inside to complete the remaining part of the project. Ron used jamb extensions to extend the jamb, the part of the frame that was flush with the wall. They attached the jamb extensions with a pneumatic pin nailer.

• The final step was to attach the interior molding and the new window installation was complete.

RESULTS:
After going through one window installation with Allen, Ron was confident that he would do fine installing the remaining windows himself. The new window was beautiful and certainly would provide much more protection from the cold and heat than the old single paned versions. Thanks to Ron!