ADVISE: Weird Window Construction– Windows Mounted *Inside* Brickmold
There are several subdelopments around me that were all built in the 90’s to 00’s. They all have these strange windows that look like high-end storm windows, IMO.
The entire assembly is very thin, yet still double-pane glass in vinyl frames. The whole window frame is mounted not inside a rough opening within the wall framing, but within (inside) the brickmolding. It’s as if the original windows were removed *after* these windows (replacements?) were intsalled inside the brickmolding. I’m not saying it *was* donae that way, but it could’ve been done that way.
This is the first I’ve seen of this in homes this new. I’ve always seen brickmolding attached to windows on the outside of the wall, to bridge the gap between the rough opening framing and the window casing. This is the first time I’ve seem windows installed inside the brick molding, on the outside of the wall.
If you were to measure the distance between the inside edge of the brickmolding, height and width, that is the size of these windows. They were placed in the opening between the insides of the brickmold and secured somehow, through the sides of the brickmold.
Hey, that’s all fine and good. I guess it works. Only for one huge problem. All the brickmold on these houses is rotting out. It’s always been a breeze to replace rotten brickmolding– you tear off the old, and nail up new (PVC) brickmolding, caulk, get paid, and leave.
Except with this design, the brick molding is the only thing holding the wndows in place!
Has anyone else encountered this? Is it a new thing? Is it a (hopefully!) discontinued building technique?
How do I go about replacing all the rotted brickmolding on these homes without having to remove and reinstall the entire windows? Or is that my only option?
Mike
Replies
Mike
Do not recall coming upon what you describe.
I'd think you'd have to figure a way to block the opening in places you'd be able to fasten through the frame. With vinyl units that don't give you that optIon readily, you're on your own. You have a choice of working from the inside or out. You can cut out pcs. of the brickmold, leaving enough to hold the frame, insert the blocks and fasten. Yank off the remaining brickmold and re trim.
Kinda sounds like the sort of replacement window that was supposed to fit inside the old window jambs. But one wouldn't expect to find replacement windows in that age of strucure (unless the builder used them for new construction because they were cheaper).
I had the same thought about them being replacement windows. A particular home I need to repair is '96, so I don't think they'd have replacement windows, unless as you said, the builder was trying to pull a fast one.
I would guess....
...that the windows were attached with a nail flange over the sheathing or framing. This would leave them projecting slightly. The brickmold would then be attached around the windows, tight against this projection.
Interesting. You may be right. I've seen the type of flanges you're talking about.
The only weird part is how all the joints are so tight. The brickmold is tight against the brick and the windows. It's as if the windows were sized after the brick and brickmold were installed.
In any case what you descibe is a little encouraging because that means the brickmold can come off without effecting the widows-- hopefull it's attached to the widow with any fasteners.
Thanks for that insight.
i would have guessed as Mike Mahan suggests, but assumed you had verified the install. Should be easy enough to find out in an area of rot you can expose.