Correct window jamb alignment?

10 years ago

Was looking at a friends new house he's building and noticed several windows that don't seem seem to sit flush with the finished drywall. Some windows were so bad the upper jamb was recessed below the drywall and the bottoms were protruding beyond the face of the drywall from 1/4" to 1/2" at the most. others window seemed to be sitting level but still protruding from the drywall face evenly, yet still a few we're set completely flush or slightly recessed below drywall surface like I would expect them to be.
I always assumed that the trim was placed to cover the edge of the exposed jamb. Is there that much room for I know a good finisher can hide some level of imperfection but if the jambs are rocked that far out of plumb then is it possible to hide that kinda oops.
In case your wondering the only clue I can find is that the windows that seem to be sitting correctly below drywall face are yet to have siding installed around them. The vinyl siding installers have been complaining that the the framer hadn't used enough screws around the exterior flange (apologize for lack of correct term) so they put some more in for him. I'm thinking that as they've putting on siding and adding screws it's throwing windows out of plumb and they haven't realized it cause they haven't gone inside. The finish carpenter is from out of town and won't be here till next week so it's gone un-noticed.

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Comments (7)

User
10 years ago
What is the exterior sheathing? Is there no flashing over the nail fins?
sombreuil_mongrel
10 years ago
While this is actually typical in old houses, where studs and sheathing vary in thickness, it is a sign of poor installation in new work. You do have to "fight the fins" to get the window sitting true to the wall plane sometimes, but you can't give up the fight leaving it a-planar. We pry them then install some screws (or nails)/shims in the side jambs, then while it's held true that way, it gets permanently locked in place with the spray foam insulation.
Casey
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millworkman
10 years ago
The "nailing fins" (poor term in my opinion) are generally only used to hold the window in while the window is shimmed, plumbed and squared and properly fastened through the jambs. Sounds to me like someone screwed the pooch since this is new construction but without pictures it is almost impossible for us to tell for certain.
User
10 years ago
Nail fin is what Marvin calls them and it seems appropriate. I've never seen installation instructions for a residential window that called for screws through the jamb. You wouldn't want a window frame to be subjected to the lateral movement of the building frame.
ibewye
Original Author
10 years ago
So with the window sitting tilted in place with half sticking out of drywall and half recessed is the trim carpenter gonna be able to hide that kind of difference somehow? Or will it require the windows to be re-set which of course would be a nightmare as the siding was just installed.
millworkman
10 years ago
Without picture I will say the windows need to be reset as the walls and windows all need to be plumb level and square!
millworkman
10 years ago
Windows have been screwed through the frame for decades either directly screwed or with jamb jacks and at the very least use installation brackets or masonry clips.