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Air Sealing Window and Door Rough Openings

Guide describing how to air-seal the rough openings around doors and windows.

Fully Flashed Window and Door Openings (1)

Publication Date

July, 2015

Video describing how to properly flash window and door openings.

Application of window and door nonexpanding foam sealant

Protect Your Windows & Doors from High Winds

Publication Date

September, 2008

Video showing damage that can occur during high wind times from poor window and door installments that lead to a weak points in the home's envelope and how to fix these problems per FLASH Strong Homes guidelines.

Wrong – The rough opening around window is not air sealed.

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Caulk applied against the backer rod to seal a window rough opening

Windows Have Impact-Rated Glass, Fire-Resistant Glass, or Protective Coverings

Guide describing how to strengthen or protect windows against wind and wind-borne debris during high-wind events including hurricanes and tornados.

Failure of Roof Structure from Pressurization Due to Window Failure During a Hurricane.

Publication Date

Tue, 09/01/2020 - 12:00

Air-seal the rough opening around doors and windows to minimize air leakage.

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Closed-cell backer rod is installed for air-sealing window and door rough openings.

Right – The rough opening around window has been filled with backer-rod to air seal.

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Air seal door and window rough openings with backer rod, caulk, or nonexpanding foam

Reference

Retrofit Techniques and Technologies: Air Sealing, Volume 10

Author(s)

Baechler Michael C,

Gilbride Theresa L,

Hefty Marye G,

Cole Pam C,

Williamson Jennifer,

Love Pat M

Organization(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

PNNL,

Oak Ridge National Laboratory,

ORNL,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Report identifying the steps to take, with the help of a qualified home performance contractor, to seal unwanted air leaks while ensuring healthy levels of ventilation and avoiding sources of indoor air pollution.

Publication Date

Mon, 04/12/2010 - 12:00

Right – The rough opening around the window has been filled with low-expansion foam to air seal.

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Right – Backer-rod is a foam product available in various diameters that can be used to air-seal openings around doors and windows.

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

A metal storm panel is installed in a track permanently mounted above and below the window frame and secured with wing nuts to studs mounted on the track.

Publication Date

Wed, 12/01/2010 - 12:00

Hurricane force winds that breach external windows and doors can then cause failure of the entire building due to internal pressures on walls and roof.

Publication Date

Tue, 12/01/1992 - 12:00

In areas prone to high winds and hurricanes, double vertical “jack trim” and horizontal “header” and “sill” studs are recommended on all sides of window and door openings.

Publication Date

Tue, 01/01/2019 - 12:00

New Whole-House Solutions Case Study: Imagine Homes: Stillwater Ranch, San Antonio, TX

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Organization(s)

PNNL

Publication Date

April, 2012

Case study describing a new home builder that strives to address health, safety, and durability issues in a hot and humid climate.

How to Perform a Wind Mitigation Inspection #1

Publication Date

August, 2015

Author(s)

International Association of Certified Home Inspectors

Organization(s)

InterNACHI

Video from the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors on how to inspect your home for wind resistance, including door and window impact ratings.

Air Sealing Doors Adjacent to Unconditioned Space

Guide describing how to air-seal doors that are next to unconditioned spaces.

Exterior Doors Are Insulated, Impact Rated, and Fire Rated

Guide describing the use of doors that are insulated and are impact rated or have protective coverings for resistance to hurricane, high winds, wildfires and thermal losses.

New Whole-House Solutions Case Study: Nelson Construction: Hamilton Way, Farmington, CT

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Organization(s)

PNNL

Publication Date

April, 2012

Case study describing the design and testing of 10 high-performance homes in Farmington, Connecticut.

Accordion-type hurricane shutters protect sliding glass doors from high winds and wind-borne debris.

Publication Date

Fri, 01/01/2021 - 12:00

Panel Closures

Publication Date

November, 2016

Video explaining how to prepare a home for flood conditions using temporary panel closures recommended by LSU AgCenter.

Wrong – Fibrous insulation is not an air barrier and cannot be used to air-seal openings.

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Protect Your Home in a FLASH - DIY Plywood Hurricane Shutters

Publication Date

August, 2011

Video showing how to make DIY high winds/hurricane shutters to prepare for severe weather per FLASH Strong Homes guidelines.

How To Evaluate Opening Protection Systems

Publication Date

March, 2008

Video showing how to evaluate openings in homes in hurricane and high wind prone areas per FLASH Strong Homes guidelines.

Hurricane Emergency Board Up Animation - FLASH, Inc.

Publication Date

April, 2007

Video showing how to board up a home properly in preparation for high wind or hurricane events per FLASH Strong Homes guidelines.

Air Sealing Window and Door Rough Openings

Fully Flashed Window and Door Openings (1)

Application of window and door nonexpanding foam sealant

Protect Your Windows & Doors from High Winds

Wrong – The rough opening around window is not air sealed.

Caulk applied against the backer rod to seal a window rough opening

Windows Have Impact-Rated Glass, Fire-Resistant Glass, or Protective Coverings

Failure of Roof Structure from Pressurization Due to Window Failure During a Hurricane.

Air-seal the rough opening around doors and windows to minimize air leakage.

Closed-cell backer rod is installed for air-sealing window and door rough openings.

Right – The rough opening around window has been filled with backer-rod to air seal.

Air seal door and window rough openings with backer rod, caulk, or nonexpanding foam

Right – The rough opening around the window has been filled with low-expansion foam to air seal.

Right – Backer-rod is a foam product available in various diameters that can be used to air-seal openings around doors and windows.

A metal storm panel is installed in a track permanently mounted above and below the window frame and secured with wing nuts to studs mounted on the track.

Hurricane force winds that breach external windows and doors can then cause failure of the entire building due to internal pressures on walls and roof.

In areas prone to high winds and hurricanes, double vertical “jack trim” and horizontal “header” and “sill” studs are recommended on all sides of window and door openings.

New Whole-House Solutions Case Study: Imagine Homes: Stillwater Ranch, San Antonio, TX

How to Perform a Wind Mitigation Inspection #1

Air Sealing Doors Adjacent to Unconditioned Space

Exterior Doors Are Insulated, Impact Rated, and Fire Rated

New Whole-House Solutions Case Study: Nelson Construction: Hamilton Way, Farmington, CT

Accordion-type hurricane shutters protect sliding glass doors from high winds and wind-borne debris.

Panel Closures

Wrong – Fibrous insulation is not an air barrier and cannot be used to air-seal openings.

Protect Your Home in a FLASH - DIY Plywood Hurricane Shutters

How To Evaluate Opening Protection Systems

Hurricane Emergency Board Up Animation - FLASH, Inc.

The unprotected glazing in this door was broken by roof tiles dislodged by wind.

Right - These homes have hurricane shutters to protect against high winds and to provide solar control.

Anchorage failure in sliding glass doors due to negative pressures from hurricane force winds.

Garage Doors are Pressure Rated