House Wrap/Windows

INSTALLING HOUSE WRAP AND WINDOWS:

Window Flashing combined with Weatherstop Housewrap Installation (This video demonstrates the proper way to install house wrap around a window. The key driving what you see is to remember that water runs downward do to gravity.)

How to install a Window -- 10 things you should know. (This video shows the installation of a window. Notice that in this window, house wrap is already installed and the flange tape is place on the top of the house wrap.)

Problems with House Wrap -- Common Installation Problems with House Warp (Things you do NOT want to do with house wrap, especially around a window opening.)

Waterproof Window Installation with Rick Arnold (Another means of installing and flashing a window.)

Insulation

Insulation is not installed by us. It is helpful to have a timeline and stick to it because certain things must be complete before Home Insulation (the insulation contractor) comes. To be ready for insulation (and rough electrical, which must be done BEFORE the insulation, but also permormed by contractors -- Northside Electric), all interior plywood sheathing must be complete, and rafter blocking must be finished.

House Wrap

The house wrap is usually stored in the finishing room, you will need two people to install it. Use the black hammer tacker with the scorpion on it to install the wrap.

To install the house wrap one person will be holding the wrap tight, so that there are no wrinkles or air bubbles under the wrap. the other person will use the hammer tacker. On a normal house, it isn't important where you attach staples. However, on these shelters, to save weight, there is no exterior sheathing. Therefore, you must be careful and aim for studs when stapling. Extra material at either the top or bottom of the wall is normally cut away after the house wrap is complete. Install wrap completely over all the openings (door, heat pump, window). These will be cut open later. When they are cut open, make sure to leave at least four inches of the wrap around the window and AC openings so the wrap can be wrapped in and around the framing.

Evenually, all wrap seams should be sealed with tape to maintain the vapor barrier integrity.

Flashing

Install flashing after the house wrap but before installing siding and decking. Use the yellow house wrap tape to secure the flashing if necessary. On a normal house, the moisture flashing (the white tape-looking stuff in the pictures below) goes right onto the wall sheathing and does a great job at sealing openings against moisture. Unfortunately, we don't have exterior sheathing so we are left to try and get the flashing to stick to just wrap and framing -- which doesn't always work. Use sheathing tape to hold it in place temporarily as needed.

Window

When flashing an opening, always remember -- WATER RUNS DOWNHILL!! This principle governs how you need to lap pieces of tape over one another.

1) Cut upward diagonally at 45 degrees above the window opening in the house wrap to make a flap that flashing will go under.

2) Install a piece of flashing a bit longer than the bottom of the window. Put this piece halfway on the wall so that half of it can be folded over the edge.

3) Install a smaller piece on the corners (see Example #2)

4) Add flashing to the sides of the window, make sure that the top of the flashing installed is underneath the flap of house wrap.

5) Add a final piece of flashing on top. You want this to cover the tops of the side flashing AND be under the flap of housewrap.

Heat Pump

Flash around the heat pump opening in a similar fashion as the window.

1) Cut upward diagonally at 45 degrees above the window opening in the house wrap to make a flap that flashing will go under.

2) Install a piece of flashing a bit longer than the bottom of the window. Put this piece halfway on the wall so that half of it can be folded over the edge.

3) Install a smaller piece on the corners (see Example #2)

4) Add flashing to the sides of the window, make sure that the top of the flashing installed is underneath the flap of house wrap.

5) Add a final piece of flashing on top. You want this to cover the tops of the side flashing AND be under the flap of housewrap.

Door

Install flashing at the door in a similar fashion. Be sure the flashing along the bottom of the door wraps down over the front edge of the subfloor and floor insulation.

Example #1

Example #2

Example #3

Example #4

Installing Window

Do not put too much weight on the flange of the window -- you do not want it bent or damaged. Set the window on a temporary shim that is approximately 1/4" high so that the bottom of the window IS NOT IN CONTACT WITH THE WALL FRAMING. Ideally, there will be some gap between the window and the wall framing all the way around the window. Use a 1" roofing nail in every other nail hole in the window flange. This does require multiple people to install, ideally 1-2 people on the outside adjusting with the level and nailing and 1 on the inside putting shims to make sure the window stays. Be sure to make sure the window is level before proceeding with nailing.

This is what the outside should look like when nailed in. Nails should be one every other hole. Triple check that the window is elevated, level and plum.

The inside person's job will be to put in temporary shims as needed until the window is level. Once the window is secured with nails, the shims can be removed.

Finally, install non-expanding spray foam insulation around all edges between the window and the wall framing.

Flashing for outside of window

The flashing for the outside of the window is the same. Bottom then sides then top covering the top of the sides, while being underneath the fold of house wrap.

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