Window installation flange under stucco. How to do it without cutting the home wrap?
Hello!
I am having windows that need somewhat urgent replacement. They´re bent out of shape wildly and the whole install 20y back wasnt done right. The frame seems not properly flashed to begin with or flashed at all and I`m somewhat worried what else I`ll find once I open it.
Now, some of my windows have a trim on the outside around em, so replacing seems reasonably straight forward. Take the trim off, remove the window, patch the home wrap and install a new window. Many tutorials on the web. I feel good about that part.
Then, some of my windows have the stucco directly up to the window and I will need to cut out the stucco to get to the nailing flange. I am planning on installing a roughly 4in pine board around it and have the stucco terminate against that and a 1/8in bead of caulk (still need to find out what is the best material for that).
So, I looked into tutorials and there´s not a lot on the web. Take a 4in diamond blade seems the consensus, but then again the stucco may not be the same thickness everywhere and I may cut not only the stucco but into the home wrap and create a whole host of new problems as I dont think this is easily accessible or fixable. That´s where I need some advise.
Will I just accept that I`ll cut the home wrap and potentially the sheathing as well and once done with the cutting try to fumble some sort of tape or try to lay over or under a strip of wrap or liquid flashing or try to somehow get this under the remaining stucco… What´s the standard approach here? Or do I try to not cut through the lath, maybe by buying a softer grinding disc, and then hammer after making a straight cut on the stucco surface? Or do I not cut and just hammer away, expecting to have a very roughly line which then a pro may need to repair? I`m thinking even this may damage the wrap…
This is a bit of a headache and I´d be happy to hear how others have done it, what works what doesnt etc.
Thanks so much!
Replies
You buy replacement windows. They are custom made to fit inside your existing window frame with an exterior fin/casing that gets caulked to your existing exterior finish. Any home improvement store can help you. Don't be frightened by the idea of "custom". It's an economical solution. Very little labor involved.
My frames have issues, so this one doesnt work for me. But thanks for offering an opinion though.
Don’t know what issues you have but the old frames are completely hidden by the new windows and trim.
I've been installing new construction (with nail fin) windows on an existing brick home. Window inserts were not an option. Like you, I had to do a good bit of research beforehand and ultimately make some of my own decisions. I also modeled the first few openings in 3D (Pella provides SketchUp models to download for their windows) to avoid any surprises. The end result is some really nice-looking windows.
It seems to me, you have two choices: 1) fur in the window opening and attach the nail fins to that furring so that you don't have to cut back the house wrap. Note that you can cut off the bottom nail fin to avoid having to raise the window off of the ledger. You then cover the bare wood and a portion of the fin with flashing tape cut to dimensions. The stuff works really well in sealing the window with the RO and providing a drainage plane in the event water gets back there. You then tidy it all up with some vinyl trim pieces. 2) Cut the house wrap back enough to secure the nail fins. Again, you'll want to overlap the fins and house wrap with flashing tape to ensure a sealed drainage plane. And, again, you'll likely need to trim out with some pvc planking and/or trim pieces. You may get away with simply ripping some brick mould down to the required width.
I think your approach depends somewhat on the RO dimensions and what window sizes are available fir that opening. That is, you may end up needing to fur in the RO's anyway.
Again, I went through this with a brick home. I very much wanted to use new construction windows. There was a set of videos on FHB for this but in general not a lot of information on the web. I watched the videos and that helped but a good bit ...still, I ultimately had to come up with how I wanted to do the job.
Note that the window installation instructions will offer ideas as well. You can download these from the manufacturer's website.
Good luck. I'll attempt to attach some pics,
Dealing with stucco can be a pain, right? I get it. So, cutting without slicing up the home wrap is like threading a needle blindfolded. What I've seen some folks do is using a grinder with a diamond blade but going slow and steady. Others try to avoid cutting altogether and just hammer away. Risky, but might save your wrap. Afterwards, it's all about patching up with tape or liquid flashing ninja moves. I'd say go easy on the toothpaste and maybe consider that baking soda trick. Good luck with the window saga!
Using a soft grinding disc might help control the depth of the cut, but it's still risky. If you end up cutting the wrap, you could patch it with tape or liquid flashing. Trying to avoid cutting altogether might leave a messy edge that needs fixing later.
It's a tough call, but being careful with the depth of the cut and having a plan to patch the wrap if needed seems like a good approach.