Replies

1. 
   Davo304 | Apr 27, 2004 09:09am | #1

   As a carpenter in a steel mill, we used to frame openings for window box air conditioners all the time. Don't remember what brand the AC units were, but they all came equipped with stands that were attached to the exterior, just below the opening, and the AC units bolted down to these stands.  Actually, the units  had a metal sleeve jacket that bridged the wall  cavity opening. This sleeve was bolted down to the stand, and then the AC unit slid inside this sleeve jacket whereby , once inside and in place, it  was attached to the jacket with a few sheet metal screws.

   Since I doubt your window unit came equipped with it's own box sleeve and stand, just cut out your opening to size, and box in the wall cavity with exterior grade plywood. Make a stand consisting of a plywood top and 2 drop legs that will angle back at 45 degrees to the side of the house. The plywood top is screwed down to the sill area of the boxed in opening, and the 2 drop legs are attached to both the top and  the exterior wall. This type of stand will adequately hold your unit. Attach a couple of "L" shaped brackets to your AC unit and fasten these to the plywood top to hold your unit in place. Make sure the entire unit, stand and all, are tilted slightly forward ( away from the house) to facilitate rainwater runoff.  

   No cricket is needed, a can of spray foam works wonders in sealing all mnor gaps and water proofing the area between unit and wall opening.. After foaming has cured, trim off excess and install molding around box perimeter to hide unsightly foam or...as we have done, forget the trim, live with the foam, and when winter comes around, just remove unit, and board up opening till next year.

   Whatever...just my 2 cents...all depends on whether this is to be a "utilitarian project" or a "Fancy Dan"....get as creative as you want to be. You could bend a piece of flashing and tuck this under your siding head piece and this would deflect rainwater away. You could stick on a piece of EPDM flashing or use a similar asphalt type flashing tape to keep out rainwater...million ways to accomplish this task...all depends on your needs and looks.

   Anyway, whatever style you want, just be sure no wires or pipes are inside wall cavity you plan to cut through...after that, rest is "piece of cake."  Job should be one good afternoon for you to start and finish.

   LOL.

   Davo

1. 
   OneofmanyBobs | Apr 27, 2004 12:21pm | #2

   Thanks.  Forgot I asked about that.  Well, if there aren't any ready-made ones I'll build one.  Metal sleeve is a good idea.  Taking it in and out every winter is not for me.  I'll just box it out a little and put a little door on the inside.   Studs are open right now so its easy.  Need to add a dedicated AC circuit anyway. 

2. 
   IronHelix | Apr 27, 2004 02:03pm | #3

   For a number of years (1972-1987) part of my job was selling and installing window A/C unit by Frigidaire.

   Most were installed as intended...in a window, but on occasion we did a "thru-the-wall"(TTW).   Cut the hole, add header, pull electrical insert the metal outside casing with some modifications, add brackets from the manufacturer as an extra part number,  tilt the casing to outside, secure casing to frame work an dheader with screws, insert the unit, caulk interior crack, cut and fit trim, on the exterior caulk the crack, add top of case flashing wider than the unit & trim and usually inserted under the clapboard.

   As soon as we had the unit in the hole we would plug it in to check for the condensate flow to the outside pan as we would complete the trim, caulk and flash.

   Some models were not suitable for TTW installs as the ventilation slits in the side of the metal case would be mounted inside the wall frame. Other units had brackets permanently attched to the case to hold it to the sash and would not allow for a good install TTW. 

   Small BTU quicky install windo a/c's were not very adapatable to TTW.

   Usually it would be a 17k BTU ot larger unit that would be TTW and those units had a bolt on exterior bracket with tilt adjustment bolts that could be ordered out of parts.  The bottom of the case had a series of holes both left and right to receive the brackets according to the set of the wall thickness.

   Into the 80's as the units were cheapened they became less adaptable to TTW.

   Exterior flashing is important in climates with lots of rain, or where the roof empties on the unit.  Never did have to do a cricket, but did have to go back and  enhance flashing set up to shed heavy water loads.

   Ask the sales rep what is available, ask to see the components of the case, ask if there are mfg. specs on wall install.  Be creative.

   Flash to opening as they now wrap window & door rough openings with water shield prior to the insrall of the units.....except use coil stock.

   ........................Iron Helix

1. 
   OneofmanyBobs | Apr 27, 2004 02:56pm | #4

   I have an extra AC that I was planning on using.  Around 20,000 or 24.000 BTU.  This one is only maybe 5 years old.  I know it was not made for TTW and it didn't come with any special mounting stuff.  What it did have is long lost.  I'll check the brand and see if any brackets are available.  If not, something can get figured out.  I hadn't thought about the vents on the side.  I'll check and see if they'll get covered up and figure some way around it.  This is going in a long skinny room without a lot of windows and I'd rather not waste a window for the AC.  I'll put the unit below one of the windows. Exterior is clapboard so should not be hard to flash.