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Building Enclosure: Window Installation

Air Sealing Window and Door Rough Openings

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

Advanced Framing: Minimal Framing at Doors and Windows

Guide describing how to minimize framing around doors and windows to reduce heat losses and gains through structural framing.

Application of window and door nonexpanding foam sealant

Retrofit Improvements - Improve Window & Door Flashing/Sealing

Author(s)

Home Innovation Research Labs

Organization(s)

HIRL

Publication Date

February, 2012

Fact sheet describing methods for flashing and air-sealing windows and doors.

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

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Advanced framing details include minimal framing at windows and doors.

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Wrong – Window has additional non-structural king stud

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Right – Window framing has appropriate number of king studs

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

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

Advanced framing details include insulated headers over windows and doors.

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 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

Right – Appropriate use of framing members to support double windows and additional cripples for drywall purposes

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

Conceptual stack framing drawing

DWG

PDF

Manufactured insulated header

DWG

PDF

Site-built insulated header

DWG

PDF

Mini truss header - section

DWG

PDF

Outset header with head plate

DWG

PDF

Vinyl Siding with Integrated Rigid Foam for Existing Walls

Guide describing the design and installation considerations for recladding of above grade walls using insulated vinyl siding.

Air Sealing Doors Adjacent to Unconditioned Space

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

Advanced framing showing open headers

Publication Date

Thu, 02/16/2012 - 12:00

Right – Appropriate door framing installed

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Right – Verify continuous rigid insulation is installed

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Right – Verify SIP headers are installed

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Wrong – Excessive and structurally unnecessary framing at door

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Advanced Framing: Insulated Headers

Guide describing how to insulate headers over doors and windows to reduce heat loss and heat gain through solid wood framing.

Right – Verify two member headers with rigid insulation between are installed

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Right – Verify single member headers with insulation on one side are installed

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

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

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Enclosure Leakage Test

Guide describing how to use a blower door test to determine building envelope air leakage.