I am torn between standard depth exterior walls vs 5.5 inch walls in cottage that will be on Lake Erie exposed to cold winter and high wind loads. The obvious is the high R values being a huge advantage. The reality is there are massive groups of slider windows on first and second floor and it looks to me wood windows are only option with deep walls. The reason I say that is the wood windows have 4..5 inch jamb depth. I am planning on a craftsman type of inside trim which will result in about 2 inch extension jamb with about a 3.5 inch sill. Vinyl windows look to be about 2 inches in jamb depth, distance from nailing fin. That would result in 4.5 inch extension jamb and sill of 6 inches. My opinion, not good. Higher quality wood windows, Marvin Ellevate and Anderson E series, will cost about 33 k and do not have the air infiltration or energy scores seen with the comparable vinyl windows that may be 8 k less expensive. Is an option of standard depth walls with less R values but better window performance as well as better looking interior trim something to consider? I am working from the assumption that better quality vinyl windows, which will include sliders that are 5×5, are clearly more airtight in this scenario. Thanks
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Remember your walls will have sheathing on the outside and drywall on the inside.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYCkjXOs_lA
This person is installing craftsman type trim on a 2x6 nominal wall.
I would think to meet codes in Ohio, you need the 2x6 wall or another layer of insulation someplace.
Are those all double hung windows, or horizontal sliders? What kind of vinyl windows are you considering?
Wow loved that video. In my mind, the deep sill would not look good but seeing is believing. The front first and second floor windows are sliders. Those are about 5 wide, cannot find double hung that wide. Am I on solid ground that a high quality vinyl window will be more resistant to air infiltration?
These days you should be able to find specifications for the windows you are considering.
The devil is in the details, but everyone wants windows that do not allow the wind to blow in.
I am not current on ratings of windows on the marketplace today.
I have 10” walls on the first floor and 6” on the second. For the view and for the passive solar gain, we flared the interior sides. Most of the sash are pretty wide but from the shadows cast inside we did increase the amount of sun entering in the winter.
As far as view, that has increased as well. Easily a couple extra feet per opening on the thick walls. We’re in the woods so there is something to see. Unless you’re on a peninsula or outcropping, there’s a lot of lake (no solar gain) that you might open up for viewing. We have nature and the Maumee to hold our interest.
Not that splaying the window openings will fit into your design stile and it’s sure to pisoff the drywaller, but it does add interest.
Best of luck on your build!
And perch fishing!
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Thanks to all for input. Feel much more comfortable with the craftsman trim with a deep sill. Did in past with white washed clear pine against white vinyl windows and it looked great. Got bid on Polaris, Sunrise vinyl windows as well as Marvin Essential that are clad windows on exterior and interior. Had to stain and varnish 30 double hung windows with grilles and 2 sliders on current house. Was younger and stupid. Seemed like a good idea at that time..never again.