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I purchased 2 pella windows from a big box store, the windows have a nailing flange around the windows. The windows will extend all the way up to the sofets on the out side of the house. The sales person said I do not need to use all 4 nail flanges to hold the window in. He said he has see windows installed with only 2 flanges work fine. Finless Window A window without a nailing fin that is secured by fastening through the head, sill and jambs. Recommended installation instructions for aluminum windows without a nailing fin (including finless, flush fin and flange). Read these instructions. “Install WInDoW.”.
Items you will need. Tape measure. Snips. Paper.
Pencil. Marker. Snap-on nailing fin New construction windows come fully equipped with a nailing fin on all sides of the window. This is there so the fin can be nailed directly into the studs. For replacement windows, installation is done through the side jambs, and no nailing fin is involved. Oftentimes nailing fins are necessary for people who are not interested in purchasing a whole new window.
The key to adding a nailing fin to a replacement window is knowing who manufactured the replacement window. From there, any homeowner can attach a nailing fin to a replacement window in no time. Inspect the window to determine who the manufacturer is. Search the glass looking for any markings usually located in the bottom corners of the window.
Write down any series of letters and numbers etched into the glass. Record any possible names of the manufacturer if they are listed. Measure the size of the window to determine what size snap-on nailing fin will be used. Write down the measurements of both the length and width. Take the window information to a window supplier to check and see if they sell that type of window. Continue until the manufacturer is found and a snap-on nailing fin can be purchased. Line up the snap-on nailing fin next to the window to see if the length of the pieces is correct.
Mark on the pieces where cuts will need to be made and cut the fins to size with snips if necessary. Line up the first side of the nailing fin running vertically along the window. Locate the accessory groove running along the outside edge of the window. Push the snap-on fin into the channel and lock it into place. Pull on it to make sure it is secure. Line up the second piece along the top of the window and lock it into place in the exact same manner. Continue with the other side and the bottom snap-on nailing fin.
Inspect the window to make sure everything is in proper working order and the fin is securely in place.
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Posts asking users to participate in a survey are no longer allowed and will be treated as SPAM posts. Best of 2018 Winners Advisor of the Year. Al Borland Award (Best Home Improvement Project).: Tim Taylor (Biggest Fuck-Up).: The Fluffer Award. kept us up reading about their Other subreddits you may like. I have a couple contractors quoting to replace my builder grade windows and the two preferred guys I want to go with each say to install the new windows differently.
They're going to use the same brand (Simonton 5500) but one contractor wants to install using a nailing flange and the other wants to use the 'replacement' installation method (no flange). I know how both installations are done, but is there a difference in the long term efficiency, maintenance, etc. Between the installation methods? When I asked the contractor who prefers using a nailing flange why he uses that method (I thought it was only used in new construction), he said the replacement method mainly relies solely on caulking to keep the windows insulated and that leads to more maintenance. For the love of god, go with flange install.
It's how windows are meant to be installed. The only situations in which a window should be installed without a flange are 1. Replacing wooden sash windows with vinyl or 2. Situations where the siding can't be easily cut, such as brick. The contractor offering the without flange option is doing it out of laziness. He is also likely to get the job because he can do it in a third of the time, and charge less. If the outside caulking were to fail on the flange free install, there would be nothing stopping the rain from going across the top of the window and fucking up your house.
There will always be a right way and an easy way. I replaced windows for nine years and would never do a flange free install unless the situation actually called for it. As long as the windows are measured correctly to be a proper fit for the opening, the nail flange is not necessary. It doesn't hurt, but if the guy is going to charge you more for the exact same window with a nail flange, it's not worth it.
Typically the spaces around the edges of the window are foamed after they are secured in the opening, which if done correctly will give you better insulation value than a nail flange anyway. You're still going to have to caulk your windows and do the standard maintenance required to keep your warranty valid either way.