Flashing A Window Before Vinyl Siding

Protect your windows vinyl siding with flashing.

Flashing a window before vinyl siding.

Cut a piece of flashing out of felt paper and install it at the bottom corners of the windows before you install the side j channels. The first half of window flashing occurs when you or your builder preps the rough opening for the window s installation. For a wood window unit drip cap flashing can be installed over the trim piece often called brick molding that comes. Beveled siding creates a sloped sill.

Ensure that the flashing along the bottom of the window overlaps the nailing hem of the last complete course of siding beneath the window. Speak with someone in the building department in your town to make sure the flashing on the windows with vinyl siding is up to code you will also want to try as best as you can to plan this project during a two to three day period where rain or snow is not. If the top of the window is near an eave but the bottom is exposed to the elements strip off the siding and focus on flashing the bottom half of the window but ignore the top. Before the siding itself can be hung a number of accessories must be installed first including starter strips corner posts window flashing trim and j channels over the roof lines and around openings.

Typically flashing a window is a two part process. Self adhesive flashing tape goes on next. The type and location of the flashings will vary depending on the type of windows and doors. Be sure to add the thickness of the siding to the window s height when framing the rough opening.

Window flashing is installed at the same time as the window unit. The second half of window flashing occurs once the window unit is secured and squared within the rough. Inspect the flashing and building wrap around the window. After wrapping the opening we nail a piece of siding along the rough sill with 13 4 in.

If the window s deep in an entryway and has zero exposure you can skip the weatherproofing and just caulk around it. Prepare windows and install accessories. If you have vinyl or metal flanged windows for instance you can install drip cap flashing 4 the home depot over the window itself or over the top trim piece that you install. Follow these simple steps to help the installation process go smoothly.