Window Installation in a Coastal Home: Builder Tips

Jeff Sweenor, President and CEO of Rhode Island-based Sweenor Builders, has three decades of building experience in the Narragansett coastal area. He knows that the right windows will withstand corrosion, protect the building envelope and allow the home to stand up to extreme weather.

In a recent project on a bayside residence, Sweenor chose Andersen’s A-Series windows. Those he selected were certified with a PG50 rating, a high-end performance grade ideal for conditions along the shoreline, although they’re also available up to a PG70 rating, appropriate for oceanfront residences. A-Series windows are constructed with hidden reinforcements that don’t compromise their aesthetic appeal, along with heavy-duty hardware and extra silicone glazing to be able to withstand hurricane force winds. 

Sweenor notes that A-Series windows also offer a triple-pane design that provides outstanding energy efficiency, as well as customization options that allow them to blend in seamlessly with the other elements of the home. The frames are constructed with a beautiful wood interior finish and a sturdy fiberglass composite exterior that prevents the peeling and blistering that happens not only as a result of normal weathering, but because of exposure to salty sea spray.

Installing the A-Series

Because moisture management is a key concern in every home — and particularly in waterfront ones — proper installation is key. 

Sweenor’s Lead Carpenter Adam Spink explains how to install A-series windows to ensure they are watertight:

• Before installation, wrap the home with a water-resistive barrier (WRB) that overlaps the flange of the sill pan. This should extend halfway into the rough opening where the window will go. This will ensure it adheres well to the stud, allowing any water that gets into the opening to run off the WRB and drip into the pan, but without encroaching into the home insulation. 
• Apply sealant to the window, leaving the bottom edge unsealed so any intrusive moisture can drain off.
• Lift the window into the opening and make certain it’s centered. Then check for level along the top and plumb along the verticals, making sure it’s perfectly square before nailing down the sides. 
• Add flashing tape along both sides, making sure to lap over the sill pan and extending the tape a few inches above and below the window. Make sure the tape is well-adhered, either by using a roller or rubbing it down by hand to make a watertight seal.
• Now apply the head flashing to overlap that already applied to the window’s sides. The WRB along the top should first be cut and folded up to allow for that. Once that’s done, fold the WRB back down and apply a rectangle of flashing to the corners to connect the flashing strips and cover where the cuts were made. 

High Performing and Attractive Options

A-Series windows provide both excellent form and function. Durably designed to withstand the most extreme conditions and offering options that provide high-end energy efficiency, they are also available in a wide range of colors and stains that make them adaptable to any architectural style. In this project, Sweenor notes that Andersen was able to provide a simulated check rail for a casement window to create a uniform appearance across the front elevation of the home where most of the windows are double-hung units.

In addition, Andersen offers Stormwatch® protection in their products, designing and testing them to meet the tough building codes that apply in hurricane-prone coastal areas. 

Hurricanes are intense — and becoming increasingly so. Choosing the right windows and installing them properly are essentials for secure coastal homebuilding.

For more information, visit andersenwindows.com.