Vapor barrier for retrofit patio door
I am about to begin installing a patio door in place of an exterior window of the same width. The house uses traditional stucco and the existing window is aluminum framed. The plan is to cut the stucco just wide enough to be able to remove the nailing flange and then redo the stucco.
Existing stucco construction is building paper, chicken wire, and stucco over 2×4 studs. I have read some of the past posts on the subject. I will attempt to preserve the stucco and building paper but will undoubtedly need to extend the building paper into the rough opening. What is the preferred method of doing this? Use some type of peel and stick that will adhere to the existing buildig paper, or something else?
Some of the past posts have suggested cutting the stucco back to the closest stud. That would leave quite a gap. Is there a better way to support the edge of the stucco where the cut is made. This is in the mild weather S.F. Bay Area, and the wall is currently uninsulated.
Thanks.
Replies
I carefully cut the outside stucco just about 1/8 to 1/4 of an inch bigger than the flange on the new door. In stucco I always work from the inside of the wall. It will save you a lot of trouble having to patch stucco.
In pulling out the window I work from the inside as much as I can. I also take out the glass and pull the old frame inwardly toward the center of the old window away from the stucco so it does not chip the stucco. Do not pull the window directly in or out because there is a lip on the flange of the old window.
It is quite easy to patch drywall and make it look nice but stucco patches almost always show. If you have colored stucco it is especially important to think through the job before you start.
When I go to put the door in I have the studs and everything else ready to go then I assmeble the studs, etc and then fix the door to the studs before I put them in. That includes all of the flashing. The stucco may be rough insidxe of the wall and you may need to trim the stud to fit inside of the wall.
Edited 9/28/2006 9:20 pm by gb93433