FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter X Instagram Tiktok YouTube Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Restoration
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In

Discussion Forum

Discussion Forum

flangeless window install

| Posted in Construction Techniques on February 27, 2002 11:36am

*
i am thinking of using a type of window, that has no nailing flange, and normally fit’s inside the RO. this is usually done in a concrete block house, but mine is going to be stick frame.
any suggestion’s on how to work this problem with regard to waterproofing and air tightness.

any help appreciated

good luck

Reply
  • X
  • facebook
  • linkedin
  • pinterest
  • email
  • add to favorites Log in or Sign up to save your favorite articles

Replies

  1. Ron_Teti | Feb 26, 2002 06:17pm | #1

    *
    Are you talking about "Block windows". if you are install the stucco mold insert, the windows shim, level/plumb and screw into the stucco mold. then caulk. If im understanding what your asking correctly.

    1. Gabe_Martel | Feb 26, 2002 11:41pm | #2

      *Eddie,Is the window wood or pvc?Gabe

      1. eddie | Feb 27, 2002 01:52am | #3

        *Gabe, the windows are pvc.why?

        1. Gabe_Martel | Feb 27, 2002 02:32am | #4

          *Eddie,Sometimes pvc windows have a dovetail to add flanges and brickmolds, does yours have any kind of grove? If it doesn't, you can always weld an L mold around the perimeter and make your own flange. Use the same pvc glue used for piping and it will weld forever.Gabe

          1. Jerry_Hill | Feb 27, 2002 03:40am | #5

            *Sounds like replacement windows.Contact the mfgr. and get some nailing flanges.They should just snap in.....or as Gabe said make your own.What type of siding are you going to install ? This would dictate what method of installation you would need if you don't want to go with nailing flanges.

          2. Tn...Andy | Feb 27, 2002 04:38am | #6

            *You can install them just like a replacement window. 2 screws in the upper part of the inside sash track and 2 in the lower outside track....in fact, if you look, there are probably holes already predilled there.....pop the sash stops...the little covers and look behind them for the holes. Use 3 inch galvanized deck screws.You can set the window any where you want in the RO...I set 'em flush with the outside sheathing if I'm putting up vinyl siding, and run the J channel over the window a 1/2" or so, then silcone the joint.Or you can install a 2x2 and cover with coil stock for a "brickmould" look if you want to fancy it up a bit.

          3. eddie | Feb 27, 2002 10:43am | #7

            *Gabe, there are no grooves in the windows, in ireland, most windows are set-up to go in block houses, so they get set in place then the plasterers plaster up to them on the outside and inside.then they add a line of caulk to seal in completely. and this work's. so a similar treatment with wood is what i'm looking for.there is no possiblility of adding nailing flanges-jerry.

          4. Gabe_Martel | Feb 27, 2002 03:53pm | #8

            *Eddie,Is the window narrower than the wall thickness?How much difference is there between the window dimensions and the rough openning?Sorry about the questions but I need to know this to suggest the best alternatives.Gabe

          5. Ralph_Wicklund | Feb 27, 2002 05:54pm | #9

            *eddie,If you are going to use a masonry style window, install it as you would a masonry style window. When you build a masonry wall, you use block in the window opening that has a groove in the end to set the wood buck. You can frame a buck. Masonry windows come with a face flange that is about 1/2" wider than the body of the window so it is a natural stop against the buck when installed from the outside. Then a few screws through the body of the frame and into the buck and you are installed. With masonry, a bead of caulk seals the flange to the block.You will need to frame to the tolerances normally natural with block, given the standard sizing of block, and your standard masonry window will fit right in. You can also have custom sizes built if you decide you want a wider or taller window than stock. Depending on your supplier that could be a little extra or a lot.You will need flashing wrap around your framing, but you knew that. The plasterers can then do their thing to the outside of the flange and you can then run the final bead of caulk to seal that to the window flange.Are Irish windows fabricated differently, compared to U.S.?

          6. eddie | Feb 27, 2002 08:57pm | #10

            *absolutely Ralph, but we have access to american and canadian windows, but the cost's are through the roof.Gabe - the walls are 2*6 with 1/2" sheathing and shingles on the walls. the units come 4" deep.the R.O.'s are 1/2" bigger all around the window.thanks and good luck

          7. Gabe_Martel | Feb 27, 2002 09:54pm | #11

            *Not a lot of choice and you're using wood shingles.Install the windows flush with the outside sheathing. Use the standard installation with shims and screw through the frame. Add a drip flashing down the face of the sheathing all the way down to the bottom edge of the top window frame and a reverse drip edge.Use a low expanding single component foam and seal the gap completely.Trim the outside with wood and butt your shingles to it.Inside add a wooden extention around the entire prerimeter to be flush with your interior finish. A nice feature would be an extended window sill at the bottom for plants and such.Case as you would normally.It would have been nicer if you would have had more room between the window and the RO. This would have allowed you to box the window with 1/2 plywood first.Gabe

          8. eddie | Feb 27, 2002 11:05pm | #12

            *it's a new build, not yet started. so i can expand the R.O. explain the other method you mentioned, please.

          9. Gabe_Martel | Feb 27, 2002 11:36pm | #13

            *Eddie,It's simply a box you make out of 1/2 or better GIS plywood to fit snuggly over the window. The box is the full width of the wall as opposed to the width of the existing window. You attach the window frame to the plywood frame over a healthy silicone bead. Then you nail all your trim to the plywood instead of the pvc window.Gabe

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Video Shorts

Categories

  • Business
  • Code Questions
  • Construction Techniques
  • Energy, Heating & Insulation
  • General Discussion
  • Help/Work Wanted
  • Photo Gallery
  • Reader Classified
  • Tools for Home Building

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

Mortar for Old Masonry

Old masonry may look tough, but the wrong mortar can destroy it—here's how to choose the right mix for lasting repairs.

Featured Video

How to Install Cable Rail Around Wood-Post Corners

Use these tips to keep cables tight and straight for a professional-looking deck-railing job.

Related Stories

  • Old House Air-Sealing Basics
  • A Drip-Free, Through-Window Heat Pump
  • Insulation for Homes in the Wildland Urban Interface
  • An Impressive Air-to-Water Heat Pump

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 332 - July 2025
    • Custom Built-ins With Job-Site Tools
    • Fight House Fires Through Design
    • Making the Move to Multifamily
  • Issue 331 - June 2025
    • A More Resilient Roof
    • Tool Test: You Need a Drywall Sander
    • Ducted vs. Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 330 - April/May 2025
    • Deck Details for Durability
    • FAQs on HPWHs
    • 10 Tips for a Long-Lasting Paint Job
  • Old House Journal – August 2025
    • Designing the Perfect Garden Gate
    • Old House Air-Sealing Basics
  • Issue 329 - Feb/Mar 2025
    • Smart Foundation for a Small Addition
    • A Kominka Comes West
    • Making Small Kitchens Work

Fine Home Building

Newsletter Sign-up

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox.

  • Green Building Advisor

    Building science and energy efficiency advice, plus special offers, in your inbox.

  • Old House Journal

    Repair, renovation, and restoration tips, plus special offers, in your inbox.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters

Follow

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2025 Active Interest Media. All rights reserved.

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

  • Home Group
  • Antique Trader
  • Arts & Crafts Homes
  • Bank Note Reporter
  • Cabin Life
  • Cuisine at Home
  • Fine Gardening
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Green Building Advisor
  • Garden Gate
  • Horticulture
  • Keep Craft Alive
  • Log Home Living
  • Military Trader/Vehicles
  • Numismatic News
  • Numismaster
  • Old Cars Weekly
  • Old House Journal
  • Period Homes
  • Popular Woodworking
  • Script
  • ShopNotes
  • Sports Collectors Digest
  • Threads
  • Timber Home Living
  • Traditional Building
  • Woodsmith
  • World Coin News
  • Writer's Digest
Active Interest Media logo
X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Online Learning

  • Courses
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • X
  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

Enjoy unlimited access to Fine Homebuilding. Join Now

Already a member? Log in

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in

Privacy Policy Update

We use cookies, pixels, script and other tracking technologies to analyze and improve our service, to improve and personalize content, and for advertising to you. We also share information about your use of our site with third-party social media, advertising and analytics partners. You can view our Privacy Policy here and our Terms of Use here.

Cookies

Analytics

These cookies help us track site metrics to improve our sites and provide a better user experience.

Advertising/Social Media

These cookies are used to serve advertisements aligned with your interests.

Essential

These cookies are required to provide basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website.

Delete My Data

Delete all cookies and associated data