Custom build wood casement window question
Hi all, to start, I am new to the Fine Homebuilding forum so I am excited to read, search and learn.
We purchased a 1920’s cabin and plan to fully rebuild the cabin to be our year round home. The original cabin had wood casement windows that we absolutely love but were beyond repair, we are replicating the original windows with sapele wood windows with single pane glass and true divided lite muntins and removable wood storm/screens. The windows will be expensive and our biggest “splurge” but it is something we really want for our cabin.
I am hoping for advice on window jamb thickness. Our cabin build will be 2×6 framing and since we will be using wood siding, I am hoping to use Cor-A-Vent SV-3 rain screen siding vent which is 7/16″ thick so I am wondering if a 6-9/16″ jamb will be thick enough if we use the Cor-A-Vent SV-3 rain screen siding vent or if a thicker window jamb would be needed?
Thank you in advance for any comments, suggestions or information.
Replies
Many if not all window companies will offer extensions that you cut down to fine tune the necessary depth needed.
Or, you can make your own to fit.
The beauty of the supplied extensions are that one edge is usually rabbeted to “lock in” to the window frame. This helps with deep jamb extensions.
One thing you’ll find with all window installs is that when it comes to extending the jamb, there is no consistent depth to deal with. So, get it close without going over and size the extensions (or scribe) to fit. Try to get it too close on order and you might be messing with the backside of the casings, way less fun.
https://www.finehomebuilding.com/?s=Jamb%20extension&es%5Bchannel%5D%5Band%5D%5B0%5D=how-to
Hi Calvin,
Thank you for your response, it was really helpful. This is our first home, and first home build so with ordering custom built wood windows, I was concerned that I would get them and realize that I made a mistake and should have ordered thicker jambs, but knowing that jamb extension can be added is really helpful.
I’m not familiar with your window brand. When you talk to them they hopefully will steer you in the right direction. Some/most will offer different sized extensions to be able to build one depth of frame that accommodates several wall thickness configurations.
They often are sized in length for the window. This means you don’t need to cut to length but you can still rip to depth. (Or scribe to fit).
Any depth more than a couple inches becomes harder to fasten but does work. I like to assemble the extensions head and sides (and sill if used) together, then place into the opening, adjust to the window frame, and then fasten.
But you are still able to make your own. That and other articles here should help you fully understand (or pretty damn close) the process.
Remember, perfect is close enough for this job (yours)!