Andersen 100 Window Best Practice Install Method

[HappyBeeb]

Matt! I found you while learning about replacement windows. Do you have a video / advice on replacement windows. Looked at big stores - thinking of going with a local that does Marvin wood with fiberglass clad. Installers have some longevity - at least installing vinyl. Concerns: cavities for bugs - is there a real good reason to go with a complete tear out?

[HappyBeeb]

Nice!  Thank you. Now clone and help me with all my projects!

[myalencephalous]

i don't see J-channels on this window; what is this house finished with? siding/stucco/shake shingle....???

[MattRisinger]

@myalencephalous We don't see many windows with J-channel pre-installed here in Texas. This market has alot of Stucco/Stone/Cement Siding. None of those require J Channel so it's not seen much. When I worked in the North East alot of homes had Vinyl siding that used J Channel. This particular house was a mix of stone & stucco. -Matt Risinger

[myalencephalous]

The gap that is created by th 1/8" shims - won't this allow cold air in the winter and hot air in the summer to get in? What do you use to insulate this 'escape gap' for any potential water? Or is this simply an exterior storm window install, and the interior window is yet to be installed?

[MattRisinger]

@myalencephalous Great question! Best practice is to use low expansion foam on three sides of the inside window jamb to wood framing. This insulates and air seals. At the sill we use backer rod and latex caulk to air seal and create a back dam at the sill. Matt Risinger

[BigBomber44]

Umm. People like you have not had to case the inside of window before. I am a finishing carpenter in high end homes and shiming the window out from the walls makes it way harder to case and we usually have to bash drywall to make it look good. Other than that I agree with everything! lol

[MattRisinger]

@BigBomber44 Good Point. These windows don't come with jamb extensions so if you're not doing a drywall return you have some extra work for the finish carpenters. By the way, I think a good finish carpenter is worth his weight in GOLD. A well built home can look bad with a poor finish carpentry job, or a decently well built home can be amazing with a great finish carpenter at the tail end. -Matt Risinger

[gary4498]

Nice work.Everyone has their wn thoughts.Mine is that your tyveck is great.But puting peal and seal stfuff over it does not seam right.I think the tyveck should be cut about 2 inches away from opening then do with peal and seal kinde of like what you did with the tyveck by wraping it in but now it is stuck to the tyveck,and to wood.

[slomotrainwreck]

It's always great to see tips and tricks of the trade from the pros, thanks for the video.

[MattRisinger]

@slomotrainwreck Thanks! -Matt Risinger

[TheChompeepe]

Great job!! one of the best videos Ive seen on window install. Thanks

[MattRisinger]

@TheChompeepe Thank you! Always nice to hear positive feedback. Matt Risinger

[mendozawilson123]

I preferred marvin sill pan and the way you cut the Tyvek is not the best, see marvin installation for .......................

[iamaGod357]

how to repair a spiral balance?

[niggerlovver]

Why doesn't every contractor do it your way? What a much better world this would be...

[MattRisinger]

@niggerlovver Thank you! I like to think I'm building a better world one home, one detail at a time. -Matt Risinger

[jwbrenna]

have you made the video that includes flashing and stucco yet? this is one of the best videos I've seen! good job

[MattRisinger]

@jwbrenna Thanks for the complements! Yes the stucco video is posted too. Goto my MattRisinger user page on YouTube and you can scroll through all the video's I've posted. Matt

[specialks1953]

Cool, They understand English. I guess they are some of the legals. - Sorry but their are a bunch that are not. - I hope we get a handle on that problem soon. - Nice Job Done. It's a shame more installers don't do this quality work. Thanks for the video.- In cold weather you could use a hair drier on high or heat gun may be better (but not too hot) to warm & dry himidity on surfaces. That works GREAT without the need for the spray. - I do support LEGAL Immigration. I support STOPPING ILLEGALS.

[marc12020]

Too Bad all contractors don't take the time you do to install windows correctly1 Nice Job!

[MattRisinger]

@marc12020 Thanks for the complements! Window installs are super important and taking the time to do them correctly is the right thing to do. My hope is that my blog and videos will help my fellow builders know the steps to doing things the "best practice" way. Matt Risinger

[FASWindowsandDoors]

this is very popular request for Andersen

[lor332]

thanks guys good job

[MattRisinger]

@lor332 Glad to do it! There's only one way to do it, the right way!

[Maritza1204]

Gracias Matt,

muy amable =o)

[MattRisinger]

@Maritza1204 De Nada

[Maritza1204]

Where do I get this Flexwrap product? I've looked at almost every Lowes in the Houston area....

[MattRisinger]

I don't believe this is a stocked item at the big box stores. Try calling local lumber suppliers. I think that Stock Building Supply is in Houston, or possibly BMC Lumber, or McCoy's Lumber. All three of those in Austin stock FlexWrap. Hope your project goes well. Matt

[mckenziemillermusic]

this is not best practices lot of mistakes

1. your SAM is not complete on the sill pan detail you have an improper over lap

2. you used siding nails to install windows and if you read the fastener requirements those are not allowed

3. the caulking used is not a prefered product

4. your nailing as i saw is not in holes and that is not allowed

5. in the specs it is required to have all fasteners six inches away from corners and you put nails through the cheverons which is also not right.

[divisioneight]

@mckenziemillermusic; As i recall, Andersen recommends either threaded fasteners or roofing nails (not siding nails) for their window products. I didn't catch what caulking they used. Usually any window or door caulk is doable. THe lapping of the subsill flashing was wrong - I caught that but didn't comment about it.

[divisioneight]

Why shim the sill in the middle of the window?

BTW - I think the AW100 product is made with Fibrex, not fiberglass. Fibrex is an Andersen made product composed of recycled wood and vinyl shavings bonded together under heat and pressure with a resin.

[MattRisinger]

@divisioneight Yes FIBREX. My mistake. Marvin Integrity is Fiberglass. I got a tour of the Andersen facility and got to see them make Fibrex, it's amazing. Basically a window version of Trex decking.

[MattRisinger]

@divisioneight Yes It's Fibrex. My mistake. Amazing product, I got to see it being extruded at the Andersen plant tour I took last year. Great product.

[DeathZero4]

i was about to ask if the flex wrap was butyl based but as i was typing it you said as the polybutylene dries... so anyways can i get this at my local home depot? and what sizes do they come in?

[DeathZero4]

@DeathZero4 oh and how thick is the flex wrap?

[MattRisinger]

Butyl based is the only way to go. Asphalt based product will fail in this hot climate. I don't believe Home Depot sells Flexwrap, you'll likely need to buy from a contractor's lumber yard. BMC, McCoys, Stock, ProBuild are all Austin lumberyards that stock it. It comes in sizes for 2x4 or 2x6 walls and I think in 75' lengths. Worth every penny of it's price to avoid water leakage into your house. Windows can & do leak, this sill pan is VERY important.

[phatty1978]

Would you recommend this method of installation for all parts of the country/climates? I live in the Northeast and would like to use this installation method.

[WindowInstallation]

Andersen 100 Series Windows may also be installed using installation clips or through the jambs depending on the application. See the Andersen Windows website under 100 Series installation guide for details. Thanks for the video.

[cowtrippin10]

Hi i'm doing some windows at my house, and i notices that they only secured the window with the flange, is there no mounting brakets to mount to the house.

[MattRisinger]

yes, the nailing flange is the only way to secure these windows. Best of luck with your project. Matt

[ingelside]

thanks...very helpfull