PNNL. 2012. Building America Case Study: Insight Homes: Deep Creek, Seaford, DE. PNNL- SA-87330, Prepared by the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory for the U.S. Department of Energy Building America Program.
Fully Flashed Window and Door Openings
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Scope
Water Managed Above Grade Wall Assembly
- Install pan flashing at sills.
- Install side flashing that extends over the pan flashing.
- Install top flashing that extends over the side flashing.
Notes:
Apply pan flashing over the rough sill framing, inclusive of the corners of the sill framing; side flashing that extends over pan flashing; and top flashing that extends over side flashing.
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Description
Windows and doors are an interruption in the wall’s housewrap or insulated sheathing drainage plane and thus are a vulnerable spot for water leakage. Many a homeowner has suffered from water intrusion around doors and windows, often not discovered until considerable damage has been done within the wall. The wall framing around windows and doors must be protected from any water that finds its way behind the siding at these locations and the water must be directed out to prevent damage to the rest of the wall. Properly installed flashing that is integrated with the other elements of the wall can help prevent this.
Flashing materials may be installed by insulators, framers, or subcontractors or vendors hired specifically to install the windows and doors. This task should be included in the contract for the appropriate trade depending on the workflow at the specific job site.
Other Considerations: When designing the home, walls and doors should be located under overhangs or porches whenever possible; these features protect against rain and snow and also minimize unwanted solar heat gain by blocking out high summer sun.
How to flash windows and doors
1. Cut the housewrap covering the rough opening in the shape of a modified "I."
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- Fold the side and bottom flaps into the window opening and secure.
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- Above the window opening, cut a head flap. Fold it up to expose the sheathing and loosely tape it in place out of the way.
Figure 1 - Cut I in housewrap 
2. Install back dam and self-adhesive flashing at sill. Tape the corners.
Figure 2 - Install self-adhesive sill flashing
For pan or sill flashing, use formable flashing, a stretchable self-adhered membrane that bends at corners so one continuous piece can be used to cover the bottom and sides of the sill.
- First install a back dam consisting of a strip of wood or beveled siding nailed along the back (inside) edge of the rough opening (over the flap of housewrap). Sloped pans are required if the sill depth is greater than 6 inches according to ASTM E212207.
- Cover this with the membrane. Begin pressing in the middle of the sill and work toward the sides, removing adhesive covering strips as you go. Make sure to press the membrane tightly into the corners to avoid tears later when the window is installed.
Other options for pan flashing include self-adhered non-elastic membrane, which must be cut and patched at corners, and two-piece rigid manufactured pan flashing, which comes with a built-in back dam that must be protected from breakage during window installation.
Figure 3 - Formable pan flashing and back dam for window
3. Caulk the outside edges of the head and side jambs and install the window.
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- Do not caulk across the sill.
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- Install the window plumb, level, and square following manufacturer’s specifications.
Figure 4 - Caulk top and sides of window
4. Install jamb and head flashing.
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- Install self-adhesive jamb flashing extending 4 inches above the top of the head flange and even with the bottom of the sill flashing.
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- Install self-adhesive head flashing extending 1 inch beyond the jamb flashing.
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- Unfold the housewrap and lay over the head flashing. Tape bottom edge of housewrap across the top window flange and tape down corner seams of housewrap.
Figure 5 - Flash sides and top of window
Figure 6 - Tape down housewrap head flap
5. On the interior side of the window, seal the gap between the window and the rough opening with backer rod or non-expanding foam and caulk.
Figure 7 - Air seal rough opening from inside
6. Install trim that has been painted or primed on all sides. Above top trim, install cap flashing that extends past trim. Cover top edge of cap flashing with adhesive membrane strip. Cover top edge of membrane with sheathing tape.
Figure 8 - Install trim and cap flashing
How to Flash a Door
1. Flash door head and jambs as described above for windows or in accordance with door manufacturer’s instructions.
2. For sill flashing, see door manufacturer’s instructions.
a. For houses with concrete slab floors, form a seat in the concrete slab to act as a “pan flashing”.
Figure 9 - Concrete slab pan flashing for doors
b. Install pan flashing that is integrated with the housewrap. ASTM E2112-07 recognizes several flashing materials and methods including single-piece sill pans formed from rigid sheet metal or plastic, multi piece sill pans formed from rigid sheet metal or plastic, flexible membrane, or combinations of rigid corners connected by flexible membrane.
Figure 10 - Sheet metal pan flashing for doors
Ensuring Success
Visually inspect the window and door flashing before siding is installed to ensure that flashing is correctly installed and correctly integrated with sheathing and housewrap to direct water out and down away from wall cavities.
Climate
No climate specific information applies.
Right and Wrong Images
Presentations
None Available
Videos
None Available
CAD Images
None Available
Compliance
ENERGY STAR Version 3, (Rev. 6)
Water Management Checklist, Water-Managed Wall Assembly. Apply pan flashing over the rough sill framing, inclusive of the corners of the sill framing; side flashing that extends over pan flashing; and top flashing that extends over side flashing.
Exhibit 1: Mandatory Requirements. Certified under ENERGY STAR Qualified Homes Version 3.
FMA/AAMA 100-07. Standard Practice for the Installation of Windows with Flanges or Mounting Fins in Wood Frame Construction. Available from AAMA’s online store from the link above. The standard covers the installation of windows in new construction using a membrane/drainage system and the installation process for windows from pre- to post-installation and windows that use a mounting flange or fin attached and sealed to the window perimeter frame and designed as an installation fastening appendage. Minimum requirements for window installation based on current best practices are also provided.
ASTM E-2112-07
ASTM E-2112-07. Standard Practice for Installation of Exterior Windows, Doors and Skylights. The standard covers fenestration product installation from pre-installation through post-installation procedures in new and existing construction.
Section R703.8 Flashing. Approved corrosion-resistant flashing to be applied shingle-fashion to prevent water from entering into wall cavities or from penetrating into building structural framing components. Self-adhered flashing must comply with AAMA 711. Flashing at exterior window and door openings must extend to the surface of the exterior wall finish or to the water-resistive barrier.
Section R703.8 Flashing. Approved corrosion-resistant flashing to be applied shingle-fashion to prevent water from entering into wall cavities or from penetrating into building structural framing components. Self-adhered flashing must comply with AAMA 711. Flashing at exterior window and door openings must extend to the surface of the exterior wall finish or to the water-resistive barrier. Flashing must be installed in accordance with one or more of the following:
- In accordance with fenestration manufacturer’s installation and flashing instructions or in accordance with the flashing manufacturer’s instructions. Where instructions or details aren’t provided, pan flashing is to be installed at the sill of exterior window and door openings and must be sealed or sloped to direct water to the surface of the exterior wall finish or water-resistive barrier. Openings using pan flashing must also incorporate flashing or protection at the head and sides.
- Per the flashing design or method of a registered design professional.
- Under other approved methods.*
*Due to copyright restrictions, exact code text is not provided. For specific code text, refer to the applicable code.
References
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Building America Best Practices Series Volume 12: 40% Whole-House Energy Savings in the Cold and Very Cold Climates
Baechler MC, TL Gilbride, MG Hefty, PC Cole, and PM Love. 2011. Building America Best Practices Series Volume 12: 40% Whole-House Energy Savings in the Cold and Very Cold Climates. PNNL-20139. Prepared by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory for the U.S. Department of Energy, Building America Program.
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ENERGY STAR Qualified Homes, Version 3 (Rev. 06) Inspection Checklist for National Program Requirements
EPA. 2012. ENERGY STAR Qualified Homes, Version 3 (Rev. 06) Inspection Checklist for National Program Requirements. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C.
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Pan Flashing for Exterior Wall Openings, Information Sheet 302
Building Science Corporation. 2009. Pan Flashing for Exterior Wall Openings, Information Sheet 302. Building Science Corporation.
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Water Management System Builder Checklist Guide
EPA. 2011. Water Management System Builder Checklist Guide. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C.
