Steady Set Put to the Test
This window installation system allows most of the work to be done from the inside, making the process faster and safer for one person working alone.
Pella claims its new Steady Set window installation system results in faster and safer installations because it allows a window to be installed by one person, mostly from the inside. To test this out, I recently completed five window installations using the system.
Pella was able to eliminate most outdoor installation steps with its folding flashing fins and the unique L-brackets fastened to the sides of the window that provide a positive stop to prevent the window from falling out through the opening.
The process of getting a window level, plumb, and square ordinarily requires another person to hold the window temporarily in place. Pella replaces the need for a second set of hands with a head stabilizer attached to the top of the window.
The metal prongs on the stabilizer dig into the top of the rough opening, preventing the window from tipping inward while it is being adjusted. If you need to extract a window after setting it in place, there are two options: Lift the window up, compressing the stabilizer, and slide out the bottom; or slide a stiff putty knife between the stabilizer and the framing to disengage the prongs.
Preinstalled plastic shim blocks on the bottom elevate the window off the sill pan. If you need to shim the windows level, only apply shims at the plastic block locations. Tall windows and double-hung windows come with plastic shim guides at the side jambs. You can insert your shims at the guide locations from the interior or exterior to straighten the jambs before taping the fins.
The standard bracket installation secures the windows for most regions, but in high-wind zones you may need to install additional diagonal screws through the window frame and into the rough-opening framing. Pella provides details for this. The only step done from the exterior is taping the flexible flashing fins. Pella calls for the side and top fins to be taped with flashing tape.
One consideration when using this system is that the fastening legs of the L-brackets could cause bumps in the drywall that might interfere with interior trim. The drywall hanger can avoid the bumps by back-cutting the drywall or notching around the bracket.
I like the idea of doing most of the window installation work from the inside. It is definitely faster; aside from moving and lifting heavy windows into place, one person can accomplish most of the work alone.
And it’s clearly safer to stand on the floor inside handling the window instead of jockeying the window while on a ladder or scaffolding. Another benefit is that a window can be installed on a rainy or snowy day and taped off later in better weather.
There are three sizes of L-brackets available that will accommodate 2×4 to 2×8 wall assemblies. The Steady Set installation system adds no cost and is available on Pella’s wood windows only at this point, but the company has plans to expand across other material lines.
— Mike Guertin; editorial advisor. Photos by Brian Pontolilo.
From Fine Homebuilding #329
RELATED STORIES
