ROUGH OPENING PREPARATION 1. GA block frame (flange) windows are designed to be installed in solid masonry openings using a wood buck to facilitate installation, anchorage and proper sealing. Refer to local building codes for guidelines on wood buck composition, construction and installation. 2. The wood buck daylight opening should be sized one-half inch (½”) less than the window tip-to-tip size in width and height. Provide a maximum of one-quarter inch (¼”) clearance on each side of the unit. Improperly sized rough openings will not allow the window to function as intended. 3. The wood buck should be constructed of approved wood that resists degradation. The minimum recommended thickness for the wood buck is three-quarters of an inch (¾”) (1-by lumber). Always refer to local building codes for exact guidelines on wood buck composition, construction and installation. 4. The wood buck must be set in the rough opening level, square, plumb and true. For optimum performance of the window, the wood buck should be recessed into the masonry opening. 5. Securely fasten all four sides of the wood buck. If using a three (3) sided wood buck with a pre-cast masonry sill, the sill must be level, square, plumb and true with the wood buck. 6. Seal the wood buck to the masonry opening from both the inside and outside using an appropriate sealant. 7. If not using a pre-cast masonry sill, sill pan flashing is recommended. The use of a sill pan will help ensure any incidental water that penetrates the building envelope will be collected and allowed to drain to the outside. The sill pan flashing must be formed to fit the rough sill (wood buck), sloping towards the exterior. The sill pan should return under the bottom of the window and include end caps and a vertical upstanding leg against the interior face of the window. 8. Install the sill pan flashing level. If the rough sill condition is not level, use shims placed under the sill pan to level it. Apply a continuous bead of appropriate sealant to the back side (inside) of the down-turned leg of the sill pan on the exterior.
9. Set the sill pan into position and check it for level prior to attachment. Attach the sill pan to the sill condition at a minimum of three (3) places at a maximum of sixteen inches (16”) on center. When penetrating the sill pan flashing with fasteners, pre-drill the hole, fill the hole with appropriate sealant, attach the fastener and seal over the fastener head with appropriate sealant. Seal the sill pan flashing to the wood buck along all joints using appropriate sealant. 10. Regarding building sequence, the roof should be installed before windows are installed. This will prevent any problems from header deflection. If windows are installed before the roof loads have been applied and the header deflects, serious problems such as stress cracks and window frame deflection may occur which will void the window warranty. If windows must be installed before the roof loads have been applied then the size of the headers must be large enough to limit the amount of deflection.
WINDOW PREPARATION 11. The operable sash of the window must remain closed and locked during the entire installation process except when it must be opened to apply fasteners. 12. Apply a three-eights inch (3/8”) nominal continuous bead of latex caulk or other approved sealant to the back side (interior) perimeter of the front flange where it will make contact with the wood buck and along the seams of all joints at the corners. If the rough opening has a pre-cast masonry sill, you must use Vulkem 116 adhesive caulk or an approved equal to fasten the window sill to the substrate using the sealant manufacturer’s application instructions. DO NOT USE LATEX CAULK TO FASTEN THE WINDOW SILL TO MASONRY SUBSTRATE. DO NOT DRILL HOLES OR APPLY FASTENERS THROUGH THE WINDOW SILL. It is important to properly select and apply sealant. Refer to ASTM standards C1193 and C1299 for information on sealant selection and use.
WINDOW INSTALLATION NOTICE: Refer to local codes, building official or a qualified structural engineer for fastener requirements in regions with special wind-loading considerations (e.g. special wind-load regions, hurricane prone areas, etc.). It is the responsibility of the approving authority to make product and glazing selections in compliance with any and all applicable laws and/or building codes. GA block frame (flange) windows installed in high wind zone locations in concrete or masonry openings must use specific anchors at specific locations for proper installation. If installing windows in a location with special wind-loading considerations, contact a GA dealer to obtain specific anchoring instructions. Tapcon anchors three-sixteenths of an inch (3/16”) diameter of sufficient length to provide minimum one-and-one-quarter inch (1¼”) embedment into the substrate may be required. SPECIFIC TAPCON ANCHORING LOCATIONS ARE BEYOND THE SCOPE OF THESE INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. IF TAPCON ANCHORS ARE REQUIRED, THE GA TAPCON ANCHORING CHART SUPERCEEDS THE FASTENING INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED IN THESE INSTRUCTIONS. If tapcon anchors are not required by local building code, use number eight (#8) screws, or other approved fastener, of sufficient length to provide three-quarters of an inch (¾”) embedment into the wood buck.
13. Immediately set the window centered in the wood buck (rough opening) and compress the sealant against the wood buck and/or pre-cast masonry sill. 14. Select and apply approved load bearing shims as necessary to set the window level, square, plumb and true. If the window is set correctly, there should be a maximum one-quarter inch (¼”) space for applying shims. The proper type, number and position of shims is important. Position shims where support is needed but do not over or under shim because either can cause distortion of the window frame. The maximum allowable shim stack is one-quarter inch (¼”). 15. Fasten upper corner on the side (jamb) in place through the window jamb three inches (3”) from the corner or in the upper-most factory pre-punched hole using a number eight (#8) screw, or other approved fastener. The fastener should provide a minimum of three-quarters of an inch (¾”) embedment into the wood buck. 16. Adjust the shims and check the window for level, plumb and true. 17. Make sure the window is square, operates smoothly, the operable sash is square in its opening and the latches are able to engage.
18. Fasten the corner diagonally opposite the upper corner that was attached first on the side (jamb). Nail through the jamb three inches (3”) from the corner or in the bottom-most factory pre-punched hole using a number eight (#8) screw, or other approved fastener. The fastener should provide a minimum of three-quarters of an inch (¾”) embedment into the wood buck. 19. Check the window for level, plumb and true. Make sure the window is square, operates smoothly, the operable sash is square in its opening and the latches are able to engage. 20. Continue to fasten the sides (jambs) and top (head) by placing an appropriate fastener every ten to twelve inches (10-12”) on center, or in the factory pre-punched holes when available, according to local building codes. Do not place a fastener within three inches (3”) of or a maximum of six inches (6”) away from any corner. Avoid compressing or distorting the window jambs, head or sill. High impact power fastening equipment should not be used for installation. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCE SHOULD THE HEAD OF THE FASTENER DISTORT OR PENETRATE THE WINDOW JAMBS OR HEAD. If the joints or corners of a front flange are bent, broken or cracked during or prior to installation, the installer is responsible for repairing the damage. 21. Recheck the window for level, plumb and true. Make sure the window is square, operates smoothly, the operable sash is square in its opening and the latches are able to engage. 22. Apply a fillet bead of appropriate sealant between the front flange and the building. No portion of the wood buck should be exposed to the elements. FINISHING THE INTERIOR 23. On the interior,apply a backer rod and a continous interior perimeter bead of appropriate sealant, or appropriate low-pressure aerosol foam sealant, between window and the rough opening on all sides to form an interior air/water seal. The entire interior perimeter joint shall be sealed, creating an air/water tight condition. THE USE OF EXPANDING FOAM-TYPE INSULATION IS NOT RECOMMENDED. NOTICE ABOUT EXPANDING FOAM PRODUCTS: The use of any expanding foam-type insulation is not recommended around any GA products. Doing so may cause damage and void the product warranty. If expanding foam-type insulation must be used, always follow the foam manufacturers’ instructions for application to avoid excessive expansion of the foam and distortion of the window frame. FINISHING THE EXTERIOR 24. Use caution to avoid covering any window weep holes with sealant, paint or any other obstructive material. CLEANING THE WINDOW 25. Start cleaning the window by removing any visible residue. Clean and clear all excess building materials such as plaster, cement, soil, paint, excess caulk/sealant and any other debris from the window to ensure proper functioning. A vacuum cleaner should be used to remove loose debris and drywall dust from the window track and interlock. 26. Inspect and clean all weepholes to ensure proper drainage of the window. 27. A mild detergent cleaner can be used along with a soft sponge to gently scrub the surface of the window if soil still adheres. Mild detergent deemed safe for bare hands should be safe to use on painted windows. ABRASIVE PADS SHOULD NOT BE USED TO CLEAN FINISHED SURFACES. NEVER USE PAINT REMOVERS, AGGRESSIVE ALKALINE, ACID OR ABRASIVE CLEANERS. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CLEAN SUNHEATED SURFACES WITH CHEMICAL AGENTS AS POSSIBLE CHEMICAL REACTIONS ON HOT SURFACES MAY BE ACCELERATED. USE ONLY MILD DETERGENTS AND NONETCHING CLEANING AGENTS ON WINDOWS. 28. For cleaning glass use a mild detergent or specialized glass cleaner. GLASS SHOULD NEVER BE CLEANED WITH AN ABRASIVE MATERIAL OR STRONG ORGANIC SOLVENTS AS THEY WILL HARM THE GLASS SURFACE AND/OR GLAZING SEALANT. 29. Do not use diesel fuel, kerosene, oil or any hydrocarbon fuel (wax) for cleaning any part of the window. 30. Do not use power washing equipment for cleaning or washing the window. 31. Windows arrive at the job site with labels and stickers on the surface. Temporary labels may be removed at the cleaning stage of construction. Temporary labels are applied to the glass. Always consult your local building code official for instructions as to when temporary labels can be removed. Permanent labels such as the AAMA label should not be removed. Permanent labels are located in inconspicuous locations such as the head or jamb track. MAINTAINING THE WINDOW 32. The operable sash may need cleaning and/or minor lubrication occasionally to ensure smooth operation. Tracks should be vacuumed and cleaned regularly to remove loose debris and dust. If lubrication is needed, verify that the lubricant is compatible with vinyl and plastic parts used in the window assembly. 33. If the operable sash on a hung window lifts or settles improperly, the balance system may need to be adjusted. A GA representative or dealer should be contacted for proper instructions on the balance adjustment process. Balances should only be adjusted with the proper tools to avoid possible injury to oneself or the window. 34. Window screens are intended to provide reasonable flying insect control and are not for the purpose of preventing all crawling or flying insects from entering an open window. There are insects small enough to pass through the window screen material and/or crawl around the screen frame. Screens do not provide security. 35. SCREENS ARE NOT A RESTRAINING DEVICE FOR CHILDREN. DO NOT LEAVE CHILDREN UNATTENDED WHEN THE WINDOW IS OPEN OR UNLOCKED. SCREENS ARE EASILY REMOVED FROM INSIDE AND ARE NOT DESIGNED AS A SAFETY RESTRAINT.
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