Think like a rain drop.

Here is a link that might be useful: clickable link

contractors are still 'flashing' windows by cutting an X in the tyvek, folding the top flap into the window frame and calling it good.

Actually, the frequently used method here involved that, following by foaming the space between the window and the frame and then using building tape to seal the WRB to the window frames. Combined with a rainscreen wall, it worked pretty well.

Now, from what I see, many builders have at last heard of flashing, pans etc.

Here is a link that might be useful: Building Science on Flashings

working pretty well doesn't make me comfortable.

I show each client how to properly flash one window
leave samples of the materials and a handout or link
for them.
Most of my clients do their own, because builders
'have always flashed this way' or simply won't take
information that doesn't agree with their methods.

that is just the way it is.

not to argue with you worthy, just trying to get the info to the homeowners who actually have to live in these houses long after home warrenty has expired and builder is busy building another house.

Choosing the right flashing approach is not always as simple as using manufacturers' instructions.

Tyvek provides instructions for installing HomeWrap either before or after the window is installed and flashed.

Grace strongly recommends the latter.

Many window companies prefer one rather than the other.

ASTM E2112 - 07 Standard Practice for Installation of Exterior Windows, Doors and Skylights describes both approaches.

No approach is perfect but usually one works best for a given window, wall system, and climate.

anyone notice how homeowners don't reply to this thread?

I had hoped that instead of the things that show
that some home owners would be interested in
things that are important for the life of the house.
rather that things that impress.

could be wrong, but to date...no homeowners have
commented.

oh well, best of luck to you all.
leave it to most builders and windows will leak.
I base this observation on 11 years of seeing it happen.

How many times have you seen wrongly flashed pictures of builds on this forum and it was brought to the homeowners attention when it would have been too late. That's assuming that they took action and brought it to the builders or installers attention to make the fix. Good heads up, Energy Rater. Hopefully it will help someone who is at that stage of their build.

anyone notice how homeowners don't reply to this thread?

What did you want homeowners to say?

energy_rater- I always read your posts and appreciate your contribuitions! I may not comment on the posts, but chances are they are saved in my Construction folder.
Nan

Hi Energy rater,
I am a lurker on this site and wanted to thank you for this important information.....we are building a home right now and are installing our own windows because of what you are talking about right now....our framer looked at us like we were silly when we said we were going to do it....

My husband and I have been around construction sites and know how alot (not all) of the subs cut corners/just don't care or just don't know any better.....so us (being anal and all) will be do it with the information from the manufacturer/ from people like you and I have asked skydawggy from this site for information also (he was very helpful).....so I wanted to thank you (energy rater) again! Lea ;)

Based on you and a few other helpful people on this forum, I had my contractor re-flash my windows three times. I gave him all the printed material to flash correctly and it still took his guys three tries to get it right.

That was four years ago and no water intrusion what-so-ever. Of course, it doesn't really rain in Central Texas anymore . . .

Thanks for the info.

From watching "Holmes on Homes" and "This Old House", I had the basic idea of proper flashing theory (if not the actual technique) and can say that I haven't seen a properly flashed residential window in a few years as I've observed new homes go up. They all do the 'slash-X-in-Tyvek' install.

Heck, even the windows in our addition that was put in 6 years ago were not flashed correctly (didn't know better then). That won't happen again.

A neighbor of our just had full window replacements done on their house and, surprise, at least two are leaking. I forwarded them that PDF so they could get educated and talk to their installer.

Thanks!

Yeah! homeowner's input!
I don't always have time to make my posts as nicely worded as they could be. but am just trying to get the point across that flashing is overlooked and not properly done by
so many contractors nationwide.
and that it is a very important thing, easily addressed during building.

so pull your window instructions off the windows
read them and get er done right.

have a good weekend everyone.

based on this site, I had copied the 'proper flashing techniques' pdf, and emailed it to my contractor, before the windows went in. I never mentioned it, and he never did, but hopefully he at least looked at it, and conformed to it. I always feel uncomfortable with these things, since I feel like if someone told me how to do my job without giving me a chance to do it first, I'd be resentful too.

I did mention that I'd haunt him for the rest of his life if anything in my house leaked...I think he got the idea.

I tell my clients to take a water hose and hose down the walls above the windows, the windows and areas surrounding the windows and doors before cladding goes on.

I looked through the youtube site the other day and saw the technique of using the Dupont Flexwrap, straightflash and caulking (Dupont makes the Tyvek also) to see how windows are installed correctly....my husband and I will be doing our windows the correct way!! (no I am not a representative of Dupont.....just a homeowner that will have her Simonton windows flashed and installed correctly) ;) Thanks again energy rater! Lea

I always feel uncomfortable with these things, since I feel like if someone told me how to do my job without giving me a chance to do it first, I'd be resentful too.

--

Don't look at it as telling someone how to do their job. Think of it as setting expectations.

Consider the following:

You are requesting quotes to get new windows installed. You can state is as:

(a) "The job consists of installing 10 new windows."

or

(b) "The job consists of installing 10 new windows ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDED INSTALLATION PROCEDURE."

Chances are, if you tell them (a), you won't get (b). Like it or not, you should set your expectation that a contractor will quote to meet the minimum requirement of your request and perform in the same manner. In other words, how cheaply can he or she get it done? Yes, there are some that will do it the right way without being told. The rest will say "That's the way we've always done it". In their defense, it is unfair to tell the installer (a), but then expect (b). By making sure everyone is on the same page from RFQ through completion, you can substantially reduce the unexpected.

By laying out the performance parameters you expect a job to be completed to, not only do you give the contractor the information needed to produce an accurate quote, you give them the metric by which their work will be judged. No longer is it opinion whether the job was done right as there is a checklist of steps that can be referenced. "That's the way we've always done it" is no longer an acceptable justification as that is NOT what was agreed.