American Craftsman Resistant Nailing Fin Windows User Manual

American Craftsman Resistant Nailing Fin Windows User Manual

Project Requirements

• Read the guide before starting installation. Read all warnings and cautions during installation.
• Check with your local building code official to identify and confirm compliance with local building code requirements.
• These instructions show images of a single-hung window installation into a wood frame wall construction with weather protection in place unless otherwise noted.
• Instructions may not be right for all installations due to building design, construction material or methods used and/or building site conditions. Consult a contractor or architect for recommendations.
• The existing window frame, wall and weather-resistant barrier must be adequate and the window frame and the wall must be structurally sound.
• The window must be installed to be plumb, level and square.
• Combination units must be individually supported to the rough opening.
• Anchoring screws must attach to framing members.
• Failure to follow these instructions may void the product warranty.
• Contact local authorities or waste management companies for proper recycling and/or disposal of removed windows or patio doors.
• Due to ongoing product changes, updated test results, and/or new industry best practices, this installation procedure may change over time. Visit the manufacturer’s website for current installation instructions.
• Visit the manufacturer’s website for removal instructions, additional installation information and/or guides.

Tools & materials required

Warnings and Cautions

WARNING
Use caution when working at elevated heights and around unit openings. Follow manufacturers’ instructions for ladders and/or scaffolding. Failure to do so may result in injury or death.

WARNING
Follow manufacturers’ instructions for hand or power tools. Always wear safety glasses. Failure to do so may result in injury and/or product damage

WARNING
Windows and doors can be heavy. Use safe lifting techniques and a reasonable number of people with enough strength to lift, carry and install window and door products.

WARNING
Sill weep doors are small parts and,  if swallowed, could pose a choking hazard to young children. Support window in the opening while shimming. Failure to do so may result in injury and/or product/property damage.

Caution
Unless specifically ordered, these windows are not equipped with safety glass, and if broken, could fragment causing injury. Many laws and building codes require safety glass in locations adjacent to or near doors. These windows are available with safety glass that may reduce the likelihood of injury when broken. Information on safety glass is available from your sales representative.

Caution
Do not apply any type of film to the glass. Thermal stress conditions resulting in glass damage could occur.

Caution
The use of movable insulating materials such as window coverings, shutters, and other shading devices may damage glass and/or vinyl.

Caution
Follow instructions of foam, sealant, and flashing manufacturer regarding material application and compatibility with this product.

Caution
When insulating between the unit frame and rough opening or between units when joining, DO NOT overpack batt insulation or overfill with foam. Bowed jambs will result in affecting product performance and/or proper operation.

Caution
Do not drill or fasten through the sill. Product and/or property damage will result

Caution
Do not store windows flat or in the sun or product damage may occur.

Caution
Remove or cut ventilation holes in plastic shipping wrap if windows are not installed immediately or the product damage may occur.

Cauti
Weep holes must face the exterior and must be located at the bottom of the window or product and/or property damage may occur

NOTICE
Important safety information. Leave this information for the building occupant

NOTICE
Buildings constructed prior to 1978 may contain lead paint which could be disturbed during replacement. For more information on the proper management of
lead paint, visit www.epa.gov/lead 

Fasteners

WARNING
Metal fasteners and components may corrode when exposed to preservative- treated and/or fire-retardant-treated lumber. Use approved fasteners and components to fasten the unit. Failure to do so may cause a failure resulting in injury, property, or product damage.

Fastener Chart

This fastener schedule is provided as an example of fastening requirements. Requirements may vary by product, building type, application, and region. Contact your local building code official for requirements in your area.

Finishing, Cleaning, and Maintenance Instructions

Caution
Do not stain or paint weatherstrip, vinyl, glass or hardware. Product damage may occur Read and follow the finishing product instructions and warnings on the finish material

Caution
Acid solutions used for cleaning masonry or concrete will damage glass, fasteners, hardware, vinyl, and metal flashing. Protect the unit and follow the cleaning product instructions carefully. If acid contacts unit, wash all surfaces with water immediately

Caution
Abrasive cleaners will damage glass and vinyl surfaces

• Clean glass using liquid glass cleaner.
• The clean exterior frame, sash, and insect screens use mild detergent and water with a soft cloth or brush.
• For hard-to-clean areas use a nonabrasive cleaner, alcohol-and-water, or ammonia-and-water.

• Do not apply any type of film to insulating glass. Thermal stress and glass damage can result. Shading devices (insulated coverings, shutters, etc.) may also cause thermal stress damage.
• For continued weather resistance of sealant joints, follow the sealant manufacturer’s recommendations for periodic maintenance.

Step 1
Prepare a rough opening
Check sill plate for level. Sill must be level. Shim sill plate if necessary. Check rough opening for plumb and level. If rough opening is not plumb or level, correct as necessary.
Check opening for square by measuring diagonally, upper left to lower right and upper right to lower left corner. Measurements must be within 1/8″. If rough opening is not square, correct as necessary. Inspect the opening for the correct size. Opening should be 1/2″ larger than the window size in width and height.

Step 2
Inspect unit
Remove unit from packaging. Place unit on a clean, flat work surface. Close and lock sash if applicable to keep unit rigid and square during installation.

Double-Hung, Single-Hung, Casement, Awning, Sliding, Picture & Shapes Non-Impact & Impact Resistant Nailing Fin Windows

Step 3
Windows and doors can be heavy. Use safe lifting techniques and a reasonable number of people with enough strength to lift, carry and install window and door products to avoid injury and/or product damage.

Check fit of the window
Temporarily place the window into the opening tilting in from the bottom and check for fit. Then remove the window. Adjust opening as needed.
NOTE : Exterior sheathing not shown.
NOTE: Double-Hung window shown for illustration purposes. These instructions cover Double-Hung, Single-Hung, Casement, Awning, Sliding, Picture and Shapes.

Step 4
Apply sill flashing
Apply formable self-adhering sill flashing into the opening over the sill and 6″ up both jambs in one continuous piece.

Step 5
Apply sealant
Apply a 3/8″ bead of exterior window grade sealant to the back side of the nailing fin jamb and head, in line with the installation holes.
NOTE: When using a barrier system, apply a bead of sealant to the bottom nail fin directly over the holes.

Step 6
Support window in opening while shimming. Failure to do so may result in injury and/ or product/property damage.

Place a window in the opening
Set shims and lift the window into the rough opening. Center side-to-side. Check the level of the unit from the interior. Do not set the window unit directly on sill. Make sure shims are located properly under side jambs and any vertical members.

• DO NOT set the window unit directly on sill plate. Elevate unit on shims at side jambs. Sill plate may bow and interfere with window operation.
• Unit must be properly shimmed. Failure to do so could result in product damage.
• Provide a minimum clearance of 1/2″ from top of brick masonry to the bottom of any portion of sill. Failure to do so could result in product damage.

Step 7
Check for square
Measure diagonally across unit, upper left to lower right and upper right to lower left corner. If measurements are within 1/8″, unit is square. If unit is not square, adjust by inserting shims as needed. Do not over shim.

Step 8
Check for plumb
Measure across head, center and sill of unit. Center dimensions should match head and sill dimensions within 1/8″. Check for plumb. Shim to straighten side jambs as needed. Do not over shim.

Step 9
Installation screws, nails, clips and/or gusset plates must be securely attached to the rough opening. Failure to do so will reduce the structural performance to less than published values resulting in product/property damage.

Fasten window.
Fasten the window to opening. Make sure the head and sill are not crowned up or down, or the jambs bowed in or out. If fastening through sill pan, seal at the fastener location following sill pan manufacturer’s recommendation. Failure to do so may result in product/property damage.

Check if the frame is bowed. Correct any frame bow during installation. Failure to do so may result in product/property damage.
NOTE: If an integrated “J” channel is not used, apply a drip cap into a bed of sealant at the head.If installing an impact-resistant double-hung or single-hung window, proceed to Step 10 Impact Only. Otherwise, proceed to Step 11. Double-Hung, Single-Hung, Casement, Awning, Sliding, Picture & Shapes Non- Impact & Impact Resistant Nailing Fin Windows

Step 10 Impact Only
Secure window
For impact-resistant single-hung

1. Unlock and partially raise the bottom sash. Slide tilt latches and tilt the bottom sash in.
2. Drive one approved fastener through the mid-point of each jamb securely into the framing member. Countersink fastener.
3. Tilt the bottom sash up until it engages in the frame.

Do not position the sash at a 90° angle. The sash may disengage from the frame and may cause injury. Failure to apply fasteners will affect product performance which may result in product and/or property damage. Damaging the balance cords will result in a non-usable product.

Step 11
Apply remaining flashing

1. Apply flashing over both side jamb nailing fins, overlapping the sill flashing and the head nailing fin.
2. Apply head flashing overlapping side flashing.
3. Fold the house wrap flap down over the head flashing and apply house wrap tape.

To create a weathertight seal, make sure that the flashing fully covers the entire length of the jambs and head of the window around the window opening. Pay special attention to the corners to make sure that there are not gaps in the flashing.

NOTE: When using barrier systems, apply flashing at sill first, overlapping sill install flange and existing sill flashing. Attach flashing at sides overlapping sill flashing.

Step 12
Insulate window
Insulate between the frame and rough opening on all sides from the interior. DO NOT overpack with a backer rod or overfill with foam insulation; bowed jambs may result. Insulation may expand and affect proper operation.

When insulating between the unit frame and rough opening or between units when joining, DO NOT overfill with minimum expanding foam sealant or overpack with a backer rod. Bowed jambs will result in affecting product performance and/or proper operation of the unit.

Step 13
Finish interior and exterior.
Finish interior and exterior as appropriate.A minimum of 1/4″ is required around the exterior perimeter of unit between the frame and siding. Masonry/Brick Veneer installations require a minimum 1/2″ space along sill and 1/4″ space around the remaining perimeter. The space between the masonry/brick veneer should be finished with the backer rod and sealant.888-504-0005 www.AmericanCraftsmanWindows.com Installation Instructions Non-Impact & Impact Resistant Nailing Fin Windows

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