Window and Door Installation.

Over the past few days at Tafe we have been learning about Window Installation and the process of making the window water tight and sealed. We learnt about how to plan and prepare, how to install the window frames and doors into different walls and how these walls ties into both the footing and the roof structure.

Water Proofing: When installing a window a waterproof flashing is required both above the head and below the sill of the window, this can be a actual tray or made from flexible aluminimun sheets like alcor allowing no water to run onto the sill trimmer. The head flashing must turn up over the wall cladding and then fall down over the head, in the case of weather board wall coverings the header flashing sits above vertical flashing that follows the architrave.

Window Installation:
Usually when installing windows the window will come already made and ready to install, if this be a timber Window or a Aluminimun. The Window will sit within the Jam studs and will need to be leveled and plumbed using packers and leveled so the external cladding sits a few millimeters beyond the window sash, the timber framed window will then be nailed into these packers (however there is no need for any packing or fixing through the head into the lintel, it is also required that the lintel and head have at least ten mm of play to ensure the window has some flex).

One the Window is in you then proceed to Install the Sill, notching out for the window frame. You then Proceed to install the window jams ensuring they are flush with the final finishing. The Wall is then plastered and covered, once the plaster is on, you then Finnish the interior with the architrave, usually mitering them at 45 degrees.

Installing Door:
When installing a door frame the principles are similar, you ensure the frame is the right way around, make sure the ground is level and ensure there is no twist in the door frame.
When the Jam is installed the you ensure the head is perfectly level and if the floor is unlevel then the stiles need to be cut to two different lengths, when you do cut down the stiles it is essential to take into account the floor coverings that will be used.

Once the frame is cut and ready to be installed you nail the head and stiled together and place a spreader at the bottom. You then proceed to place the lining into the opening and nail or screw on side to the stud, ensuring is level and straight. You then work around the frame ensuring it's plumb and straight. After the lining is in place you cut in the architraves and place them around the frame.

We have also covered over the last few days Wall Cavities, Bricks, Locks and Hinges. We learnt how course heights work and how you ensure than you're internal cavity remains water tight. How wall ties are used and how often.