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Window and Door Flashing Guide

This collection of articles and videos will help you find the materials and construction details you need for a leak-free installation of doors, windows, siding, and more.

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Flashing is crucial to a house’s weather resistance and long-term durability. Unfortunately, it is often overlooked and installed carelessly. Flashing may be largely hidden to the naked eye, but it is one of the most important things to get right when building a home. Without a successful installation, water intrusion and subsequent rot and decay prevail.

To help you install flashing correctly, we’ve compiled a collection of our most helpful articles, videos, tips, and how-to guides on the topic. We’ve covered everything–from the basic process, recommended tools, and common errors, to explaining why flashing is more important in the present day than in the past. However much experience you have with flashing, this collection will help you learn how to flash windows and doors like a pro.

  • How-To 1
    Shop Class: How to Install Nail-Fin Windows in 5 Common Wall Types

    Builder Jake Bruton demonstrates trusted window-flashing details for walls with the following water-resistive barriers: Zip System sheathing, exterior rigid-foam insulation, housewrap, peel-and-stick membrane, and fluid-applied WRB.

  • How-To 2
    Liquid-Flash a Windowsill Pan

    Liquid flashing offers a seamless alternative to flashing tape.

  • 3
    adding head flashing
    Adding Head Flashing

    You won’t necessarily find head flashing on windows and doors that have integral flanges because some manufacturers call for it and some don’t

  • How-To 4
    How to Replace a Window: Flashing the New Window

    The most important defense against water infiltration is flashing.

  • How-To 5
    How to Solder Copper Cap Flashing

    Watch a pro shape and solder copper cap flashing, which is installed atop the head casing.

  • 6
    Flashing for Hose Bibs – QuickFlash Review

    We as builders are so diligent about using flashing boots on our roofs but when it comes to wall penetrations we're so lax about holes! In this video we'll show…

  • How-To 7
    window flashing
    Watertight Window Flashing

    Q: When installing new windows, I believe it is considered good practice to allow the head flashing above the window trim to overhang a little bit on each side. This…

  • How-To 8
    How to Make a Decorative Window Cap Flashing

    A few additional bends of your copper piece turn this functional window cap flashing into a decorative detail.

  • 9
    window flashing
    Don’t Forget the Flashing

    Easily overlooked and sometimes installed incorrectly, flashing keeps water out and rot at bay.

  • How-To 10
    Video Vault: Homemade Pan Flashing

    Protect the subfloor from rot by directing errant water from leaks out and away from the building.

  • How-To 11
    flashing on a curve
    Flashing on a Curve

    With modern flashing tapes, a metal head flashing isn't needed on an arched window—but there are ways to make one if you want to.

  • How-To 12
    Install a Full-Frame Replacement Window: How To Flash a Window Rough Opening in an Existing Brick Wall

    Remodeler Mike Sloggatt demonstrates a reliable method for managing water when installing a replacement window in a masonry wall.

  • How-To 13
    How to Flash a Window Sill

    Learn how to use flexible self-adhering flashing tape to waterproof the rough sill.

  • 14
    Flashing A Recessed Window using Liquid Tyvek

    Flashing a recessed window is tricky, this new product from DuPont Tyvek called Fluid Applied (Liquid Tyvek!) makes the process much simpler. In this jobsite video we will take you…

  • How-To 15
    Flashing Walls

    Keeping water moving out and down is the key to effective sidewall flashing.

  • How-To 16
    Flashing Brick-Veneer Walls

    Good masonry work blocks most rainwater, and proper flashing details expel what does get through.

  • How-To 17
    Flashing for Old Windows

    How do you get a good weathertight seal on old windows that don’t have a flange?

  • How-To 18
    cantilevered-joist flashing
    Cantilevered-Joist Flashing

    The balcony I’m repairing has cantilevered joists extending into the framing. The siding and some of the wall sheathing around the joists have decayed. I’m afraid the rot may extend…

  • How-To 19
    Replacing an Entry Door: How to Flash the Rough Opening

    Builder Manny Silva demonstrates how to weatherproof the rough opening before installing a new entry door in an old home.

  • How-To 20
    Flashing Replacement Windows
    Flashing Replacement Windows

    This method prevents future leaks and avoids finger pointing.

  • How-To 21
    Flashing

    Anticipate the flow of water to keep it outside your house, where it belongs.

  • How-To 22
    flashing window and door bucks
    Flashing Window and Door Bucks

    Preflashing the window and door bucks allows us to completely install the exterior insulation and rain-screen furring.

  • 23
    window flashing
    Flashing a Window: Debating Best Practices

    Window flashing is crucial, but when we get into the murky waters of remodel is there only one best way?

  • How-To 24
    Installing and Flashing Windows Correctly

    If you don’t include housewrap, use a sill pan, and flash the flanges, the work is far from watertight.

  • How-To 25
    z flashing retrofit
    Z-flashing Retrofit

    Living in North America’s northernmost rain forest has forced me to become good at repairing rotten rim joists. One part of the job that always gave me a hard time…

  • How-To 26
    common flashing errors
    How to Avoid Common Flashing Errors

    Building paper and adhesive-backed bituminous tape are vital ingredients in protecting a building from water damage.

  • How-To 27
    Waterproof Your Windows with Liquid Flashing

    Learn how to install liquid-applied flashing to thoroughly seal a rough opening while also leaving a path for water to escape when it does get in.

  • Design 28
    Sill Pan
    Flashing Windows in Rain-Screen Walls

    Foam sheathing and furring strips make the wall thicker; Make sure the sill can drain and the head is tight.

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