First Floor Additions: More Room More Happiness
(Part Six: Windows and Doors )

by: Liz Roberts

Now that you have your addition up, it’s now time for its’ finishing touches. Two of the most important are windows and doors. They are the least complicated process of any addition as well and can be installed in a day or two. All you need are good materials and a good amount of care.

Windows come in many different styles. You can choose from the durable double hung to the freewheeling casement and/or slider styles. However remember to match them to your home’s existing windows, for a more uniform look. You may want to change over the entire house if the entire set is more than twenty years old.

Start the installation process by sandwiching two pieces of 2 ply stock around a thin sheet of oriented stand board. This is a composite wood material that usually comes in plywood like sheets. This will form your beam or header which will be across the top of your window’s opening. Now use a 2’ by 2’ for cripples (vertical framing) which will support the header. Take this assembly and place it against the window opening. Make sure it’s plumb before securing it to the existing wall frame. Use a 2’ by 4’ stock for the rough sill which is the horizontal framing member across the face of the window opening. Secure the rough to the existing wall frame. Fasten the paper and plywood sheathing to the newly installed framing members on the addition’s exterior. The rough opening is now prepared.

Before installation add a bead of caulking around the framed opening. Set your window in place. Always use a level to make sure the window is aligned. If it’s not, then employ a shim (or wooden strip) to raise one side if necessary. Then add the fasteners to both in the exterior and interior , starting at the center of the frame. Work you way around until done.

A sliding glass door is installed in relatively the same way. The door frame should have been constructed very much like the window frame. Run a bead of sealant along the foundation. With assistance, lift the door into place and fasten the frame to the existing wall studs.

It’s best for your addition to have entry door since it will be the gateway into the backyard and play area. You don’t have to match it to the entry door and you can buy something simple yet durable. Options can range from steel to wood to fiberglass. Most homeowners these days are opting for the cheaper fiberglass. It can be painted to look like wood yet has the long lasting power of steel.

Your addition’s rough opening should be at least 12” wider than the outside frame dimensions. Apply two large beads of butyl caulk along the subsill one inch inside the front and rear edges of where the sill is to be placed. Now extend the caulk a couple of inches up the side of the rough framing. (Note: do not use latex or acrylic caulk for this, as they will deteriorate from various weather conditions over time.)

Place your door into the opening. Put in the bottom first with the top facing outward towards you. Tilt it carefully into place. Center the door in the opening, shimming the frame tightly into place at the very bottom of the rough opening.

Now that your addition’s door is roughly in place, shim the rest of the door frame as is necessary in order to hold it into that spot. During this particular step place the shims on the hinge side of the door behind any hinge attachment points in the door frame. You’ll permanently attach the door to these points later on. Now adjust the shims and frame assembly until the jamb on the door’s hinge side is plumb in both directions. There should be a constant gap (about 1/8’) between the jamb and the edge of your door. Once you’ve made these adjustments temporarily nail your door in place , using 16 d finishing nails. Nail these through the door jamb, near the hinge locations. Do not drive nails all the way in. Remove any shipping braces from your door. Give it an open and close test to see if it’s working properly.

From the outside your addition and with the door closed, make sure there is an even contact between the door face and the weather stripping attached to the frame opposite the hinge jamb. Make any necessary adjustments by adjusting the jamb in or out at the top or bottom.

Go inside and again with the door closed, examined the door’s edges. Adjust the lock side jamb until there is an even gap(about 1/8” all round the door edges and the face of the jambs). Now install a solid shim behind the lock strike location.

Permanently secure the jambs. Begin with 3” screws driven through the shims at the hinge locations on the hinge jamb. Continue around the door, securing the remaining jambs with screws or nails (whichever the door’s manufacturer recommends) driven through the shim. Remember it is important that these be installed through the shims to prevent distorting the door frame (which would be done by putting pressure against an unsupported area). Check the door occasionally while doing this step to make sure the entire assembly remains properly.

Once this is done it’s now time to install the insulation. Insulate around the edges of your door frame with either loosely packed fiberglass insulation or a low expansion foam. Remember if you choose the foam, that it may expand too much and distort the door’s frame. This will impede it’s function. Install the interior trim as per the manufacturer’s instructions. Caulk all joints and intersections around the trim area. Install weather stripping at the base of the door to prevent drafts, using a pressure sensitive vinyl foam tape for this.

Your new addition will be safe, secure and climate controlled, thanks to your expert window and door installation. You can enjoy any season, knowing that your finishing touches are perfect.