Shop Class

Shop Class

Trusted solutions for common construction details.

How-To

Shop Class: How to Install Nail-Fin Windows in 5 Common Wall Types

Builder Jake Bruton demonstrates trusted window-flashing details for walls with the following water-resistive barriers: Zip System sheathing, exterior rigid-foam insulation, housewrap, peel-and-stick membrane, and fluid-applied WRB.

By Jake Bruton

There are many ways to build exterior walls that reliably shed rainwater and stop air infiltration, but they all have two things in common: durable water-resistive barriers (WRBs) and well-executed flashing details. We’ve invited home builder Jake Bruton into the Fine Homebuilding video studio to show us how to get the window-flashing details right for five of the most common WRBs in this edition of the Shop Class video series.

We’ve created four episodes for each wall type, covering everything from preparing the window rough opening to the final air-sealing after the window is installed. Choose the video below for the wall system you’re using for your project, or watch the entire series to help you choose the WRB and flashing details that best fit your needs.

install and flash a window over Zip System sheathing Installing a Nail-Fin Window
Over Zip System Sheathing
Install and flash a window in a wall with rigid foam sheathing Installing a Nail-Fin Window
Over Rigid-Foam Insulation
Install and flash a window over housewrap Installing a Nail-Fin Window
Over Housewrap
Install and flash a window over peel-and-stick housewrap Installing a Nail-Fin Window
Over Peel-and-Stick Housewrap
Install and flash a window over a liquid-applied WRB Installing a Nail-Fin Window
Over a Fluid-Applied WRB

 

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About This Video Series

As we add thicker insulation and more water-sensitive materials to the walls of our houses, it becomes increasingly important to detail our exterior walls to keep water out. Window flashing is one of the parts of a house where this matters most. Getting flashing details right for the common nail-fin-style window means making leakproof transitions between the water-resistive barrier (WRB) and the flanges that fasten the window to the wall. In this Fine Homebuilding Shop… More about this Video Series

View Comments

  1. Periodcraftsmen | | #1

    All,

    This was a great video series and very informative. Thank you for taking the time to educate us.

    Cheers!

  2. SidekickArchitects | | #2

    Fantastic videos. I just wish you had one for 3-coat stucco applications.

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