How to know a good window wrap from a poor wrap?

11 years ago

How can I tell a good window wrap job from a poor one? Is thin aluminum acceptable? Should there be air space between the old wood and the aluminum, and if so how much? Should it be caulked at the edge that meets the brick? Caulk at the corner seams? Where should nails be placed? Anything else I didn't think of?

Featured Answer

HomeSealed

11 years ago

I can't speak for others, but aluminum wrapping (much like vinyl windows and siding) gets a bad rap (pun intended ;)) due to how prevalent it is and its relatively low cost. There are a lot of hacks out there that do poor work and will actually direct water into the window opening rather than shed it away. A proper wrap job will 1) remove any rotted/soft wood prior to wrapping, and 2) be flashed/lapped in such a way that will not retain moisture, while accomplishing the goal of reducing maintenance.
All that said, some people prefer the richer look of wood brickmold or cedar trim, and will sacrifice the fact that it needs a bit more attention and often comes with a higher cost if it is being replaced. There is nothing wrong with that option either, just depends on your goals for the project.
To say that either method when executed properly is "junk", is just plain wrong.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (10)

PRO
Windows on Washington Ltd
11 years ago
That is a pretty broad based question.

There are no requirements for an air space behind the cladding and it would normally be sealed at the junction of cladding to brick.

It does not need to be sealed at the corners.

Nails are out of necessity and depend on the window details, size, and capping style.
salsrod
Original Author
11 years ago
So, normally it is sealed at the junction of cladding to the brick. So, if an installer doesn't do that is it wrong?

Also, if you can take your finger and press in aluminum somewhat, does that mean there is too much space, or just the aluminum is thin? Or is vinyl covered aluminum preferably.

Everybody doesn't seem impressed with Window World's windows, but I liked their wrapping best so far, as it just seemed clean, sealed, and I think was vinyl covered.

Or am I just being picky?
Related Discussions
Decorating vinyl wrapped windows
Q
Comments (4)
My apologies, Millworkman. I didn't know how things work here. Thanks for the posting advice. Unfortunately, I don't have pictures. These are not full replacement vinyl windows. The casings, etc, are wood. But the contractor wrapped the exterior faces at the tops and sides in vinyl sheeting. At the top of the windows and doors, there was (and are on what is remaining) crown moulding. This was sheared off so that the sheeting would go over the wood frames flat. I hope I explained this properly. The suggestion you gave for the window tops was really good. I thought I could add decorative pieces to the sides of each window as well - nailing thru the vinyl sheet to the wood? Or, would this attract moisture problems. Thanks, again.
...See More
Countertop options for wrap-around kitchen with "window"
Q
Comments (14)
Yes I plan to do it myself - I installed the flooring in those pics, had never done that before (watched youtube vids!) and I made over my stairs with new treads. So I am very handy and I have the basic tools. I just thought butcher block would be very hard wood/glue and thick to cut and likely need a table saw? I priced out the laminate and I could definitely do this kitchen for less than $500 using either preform or sheet. I'm leaning towards the sheet laminate option, I watched lots of youtube vids on how to and I found these edging products that match the Formica and Wilsonart laminates, I could use this to trim the edge along the window as well as the front edges... or I could use preforms with attached edges and backsplashes and then cut away the backsplash where the window is and use this edging along there to finish it... and then maybe disguise/call attention away from the seam by putting in a raised bar. Re the tile - to re-tile I'd have to remove the existing tile or remove the whole countertop anyway and then install a countertop platform to tile on. At that point I may as well put on something I like. Sheet laminate can't be more difficult than laying tile well, and I like it better as a kitchen surface. As for the dishwasher position, I like it there actually - and it had to be close enough to the sink plumbing. I don't know what you consider sub-optimal about it but it works for our space. That particular dishwasher came with the home and has been replaced with a Bosch since this pic was taken. Here is a link that might be useful: Edging This post was edited by tinan on Mon, Dec 17, 12 at 16:19
...See More
How do you wrap gifts?
Q
Comments (17)
Does this happen to anyone else? No matter how organized you are or how big your work surface, there's never enough room and you always lose the dang tape and scissors! One year I bought a tape dispenser that fits on your wrist like a bracelet, that worked great. I wonder where it wandered off to? lol I used to wait until I had everything purchased and did them all at once. The prettiest year we ever had I did all the wrappings in variations of green and silver. As I was boxing up gifts to mail, I remember thinking that those were the nicest ones I had ever done. Probably because of the 2 color theme.... I just know that was my best year, wrapping-wise. And I carried it over too, to the dining room, green tablecloth, white and silver china (my mom's set) silver deer candleholders and matching napkin rings. Man, it was pretty. Usually it's a mass of color around here, but that simple combo really worked. It kind of got lost though as people arrived on Christmas morning and stuffed all their colorful packages under the tree, but I enjoyed it up until then.
...See More
Stone Veneer Height/Amount. How to wrap the sides of the house?
Q
Comments (36)
Its interesting that the OP would think half-story-height masonry on only the front of a house would look like a tract house. To me, half-story-height masonry on any side of a house would look like a tract house and full-story-height masonry on only the front is not uncommon on historic colonial era houses where its obvious the masonry is actually supporting the floors of the house. These days, with the growing supremacy of imitation, when little is what it apears to be, it is often impossible to identify a material until you get close enough to see an embossed texture and/or the awkward transitions between dissimilar simulated materials. Perhaps its not obvious to some that a real masonry wall below window sills would not be stable. The most basic fact about a house structure is that exterior walls span vertically from floor to floor and transfer wind & earthquake loads to the horizontal floor plates where they are distributed to the side walls and then to the foundation. Ignoring this most basic building principle tends to rob a house of its integrity, if only at a subconscious level, and creates a vague sense of disrespect for the past and reality in general.
...See More
PRO
Windows on Washington Ltd
11 years ago
It is normally sealed at that junction. Can't say for certain if it being unsealed is wrong without seeing it.

Most capping will not be tight to the trim and will have some air behind it as you describe.

I don't prefer the vinyl trim coil stock but that is a personal preference.
HomeSealed
11 years ago
The capping job has nothing to do with the windows and everything to do with the specific installer's skill level.
As WoW said, it is really difficult to answer those questions as every home is different, and the areas that require caulk will vary by installer, method, and home. For instance, often times installers will back-caulk some trim so you don;t even see a bead. Nails should be used sparingly and hidden when possible.
On the trim types, the PVC coated aluminum is a nice product and offers a more "rigid" feel. The only complaint that I see with it is that the texture can retain dirt more easily than the smooth trim coil.
Jumpilotmdm
11 years ago
No wrap with coil stock is a good wrap. Junk. Maybe not now, but in the future....
HomeSealed
11 years ago
I guess metal flashing and wood/aluminum windows must be "junk" as well... Please elaborate.

Here is a link that might be useful: bad call
PRO
Windows on Washington Ltd
11 years ago
Is all the rake and fascia wrapping junk took?

Is another cladding better? Are clad windows bad as well?
salsrod
Original Author
11 years ago
So, Jumpilotmdm. What makes coil stock junk? Is it because it's 'old school'? Not necessarily a reason not to use it. I just want it to look clean and keep the water from getting to wood, therefore am asking what to look for in order to make sure I get that.
toddinmn
11 years ago
Some feel that wrapping with aluminum will eventually lead to rotted wood and you won't notice it untill it's to late because the damage is hidden.Pictures of the wrap before they caulk will often reveal the quality.

How to know a good window wrap from a poor wrap?

HomeSealed

Comments (10)

Windows on Washington Ltd

salsrod
Original Author

Related Discussions

Windows on Washington Ltd

HomeSealed

Jumpilotmdm

HomeSealed

Windows on Washington Ltd

salsrod
Original Author

toddinmn

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

How to know a good window wrap from a poor wrap?

Comments (10)

salsrodOriginal Author

Related Discussions

salsrodOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

salsrod
Original Author

salsrod
Original Author