- The first thing the carpenter does when installing the windows is to build the window frames with one less 2 x 4 stud on each side (figure A). This "new" design is just as strong and there will be additional room for insulation.
- Another new technique utilized for the Oberg home was the way in which the flashing was installed. Tyvek FlexWrap® (figure B) -- see Resources, below, for more information and website link) was used to cut down on drafts and water leaks. With this wrap the sill of the window is covered first, which protects the sill from any moisture. A bead of caulk then is run along the top and sides of the window opening. The window is set into place, and site supervisor Greg Allen says the biggest thing to consider is to make sure the window is plumb and square.
- Additional strips of the wrap are run down the sides of the window and across the top for added insulation and moisture protection. And the workers continue the layering of the flashing for each window.
- Window manufacturers offer a variety of options to help control heating and cooling of a house. There are single-glass, double-glass, specially glazed and coated windows and more. The Obergs went with a window with a special low-e coating (figure C), which means the windows are better at keeping the good stuff in and the bad stuff out. These energy-saving, double-paned windows on the Oberg home use a special insulating gas between the panes and the low-e coating. In the winter the coating keeps the heat in and in the summer the coating keeps the heat out.
- It's important to know what kind of window works best in your region of the country. For example, if you live in an area that has long, cold winters, your builder will recommend windows that allow more solar heat to pass through, which in turn will give your heating system much needed help. In warmer climates a builder will recommend windows with less solar-heat gain so your cooling system won't have to work as hard.
For more information on windows and their energy performance, you can visit the following websites, and for the information on the Andersen window map, see Resources, below for the Andersen website link:
The National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC)
Energy Star®
In the next segment, the window installation is continued, and Brad spots a problem!
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