Install window drip cap

Any window trim that has the potential to be exposed to moisture—either from inside or outside—has the potential to succumb to wood rot.

Each day, our editors assemble the latest breaking industry news, hottest trends, and most relevant research, delivered to your inbox. Drip caps are an essential component of a waterproofing system that includes properly installed exterior cladding , trim, a weather-resistive barrier WRB , and flashing tape. They should be used wherever water can get behind the horizontal edge of an exterior finish material or assembly to help mitigate water intrusion. Such latent consequences take the form of rotted sheathing, trim, and siding, or perhaps deeper structural degradation and mold growth. When it comes to drip caps, what we see done right and wrong is consistent among builders , and avoiding mistakes is simply a matter of paying attention to a few key details. Most siding installers today fabricate their own drip caps to ensure these qualities, and you should include and verify those standards in your construction guidelines and details.

Install window drip cap

Even when a window is properly sealed to prevent water from reaching the sheathing, it still makes sense to direct bulk water away from the building. But water can still flow off the sides of the flashing, where it soaks the joint where siding meets the casings. It takes about 5 minutes to do both ends, and all you need is a pair of snips, a wide-mouth sheet metal clamp, and a hammer. Make sure the piece of flashing is 4 inches longer than the trim it will cover, then pencil in the cut lines. Scribe a line across the face of both legs of the flashing 1 inch in from the end, then a second 1 inch away. Pencil in the other lines as shown [1]. For clarity, the drawing shows dashed lines used for layout purposes, but you will cut only on the red lines. Now comes a series of bends to build the end dam. Start by positioning the sheet metal clamps at a degree angle, with one corner tight into the inside bend of the flashing [3A]. With a firm grip, bend the metal upward, creasing it along the pencil line you made across the face [3B]. To bring the corner together, work from the back to pinch together the V-shaped pouch created by the first bend [4].

But water can still flow off the sides of the flashing, where it soaks the joint where siding meets the casings. To install the flashing, cut pieces of building paper and self-adhesive flashing to fit and install them in the correct order bottom, sides, top around the opening.

Protect your home from the elements with this guide on the different types of flashing material and how to install it around doors and windows. Flashing refers to thin sheets of material installed around a home's exterior to prevent water from seeping inside. Helping to direct water down and away from your home, this waterproofing technique is especially important to use on roofs and around windows and doors. In many areas, installing building wrap and pieces of drip-cap flashing over the tops of windows and doors is acceptable. However, some manufacturers and building codes call for more elaborate door and window flashing to protect the sheathing, studs, and interior walls. Whether installing new windows and doors or adding siding to existing units, check your local codes first, then follow these instructions for installing door and window flashings that provide maximum protection against moisture. Door and window flashing helps prevent any moisture which can collect due to condensation or small gaps in the siding that flows downward from infiltrating behind the house wrap, where it can do damage.

Protect your home from the elements with this guide on the different types of flashing material and how to install it around doors and windows. Flashing refers to thin sheets of material installed around a home's exterior to prevent water from seeping inside. Helping to direct water down and away from your home, this waterproofing technique is especially important to use on roofs and around windows and doors. In many areas, installing building wrap and pieces of drip-cap flashing over the tops of windows and doors is acceptable. However, some manufacturers and building codes call for more elaborate door and window flashing to protect the sheathing, studs, and interior walls.

Install window drip cap

Any window trim that has the potential to be exposed to moisture—either from inside or outside—has the potential to succumb to wood rot. A window trim drip cap can help avoid this costly problem by directing moisture away from the window from the top down. Preformed window trim drip caps are easy to find and install as a quick and easy project that will pay dividends in window maintenance costs down the road. Since the window trim drip cap will serve as a sort of awning over the top of your window, the main measure that must be taken is the width of the window. While measuring, be sure to check to see whether wood rot is already present in your windows.

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View our Privacy Policy here. Advertisement boombox1 -. Sign up today! John F. Sign in. To reinforce the end dam, use the metal clamps to grip the top half of the end dam along the pencil line, then bend the metal back on itself [5]. First name. Advertisement boombox2 -. But water can still flow off the sides of the flashing, where it soaks the joint where siding meets the casings. Develop and improve services. Add new comment Drip caps are an essential component of a waterproofing system that includes properly installed exterior cladding , trim, a weather-resistive barrier WRB , and flashing tape. Create Account. The bookmark icon allows you to save any story to your account to read it later. Converting a crawl space to other uses can upgrade a home and add significant value, but when done incorrectly, it can also be disastrous.

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Use profiles to select personalised advertising. You may accept or manage your choices by clicking below, including your right to object where legitimate interest is used, or at any time in the privacy policy page. Galvanized Nails. Sign up with Facebook. In a remodeling job , apply self-adhesive flashing strips in this order: along the bottom, then the sides, then the top. How to Varnish Wooden Sash Windows. Best Practices. Just about the window, apply flashing tape, then slide the drip cap against the flashing tape and under the siding above it. Subscribe to Pro Builder Subscribe Learn more. To Vent or Not to Vent: A Discussion In an attempt to strike a middle ground between high-performance and attainable, these three remodelers engage in a candid conversation. Advertisement native2 - default. If you have vinyl- or metal-flanged windows, for instance, you can install drip-cap flashing over the window itself or over a trim piece that you install.