How to Properly Install Milgard Windows Using Tar Tape
Installing a Milgard window takes an opening in the side of your house. Tar tape is great for blocking drafts and moisture. If it is installed correctly, the tape will serve as a shield to weather and it will also prevent heat loss. The flashing should be installed in a certain order to extend the wall over the exterior edge of the window.
Things you need:
- Framing square
- 24-inch level
- Wood shims
- 6d nails
- Framing hammer
- Tar tape or flashing paper roll
- Staple hammer or staple gun
- Razor knife
- Take a framing square and use it to make sure the opening is square. Make sure you change any deficiency before starting window installation. Put the closed and locked window in the opening. Next you will use shims and the level to make sure it is level and plumb. Make sure you shim the center of the bottom of the window frame to prevent sagging.
- Use a hammer, 6d nails and prepunched holes in the window flange to fasten the window to the frame. Use at least one nail in each side no more than 10 inches from the corners and no less that three inches from the corners. Be sure you don’t nail the top flange and put at least one nail over the flange. You will bend it over the flange to allow vertical expansion. The other nails should be put on 16 inch centers the surround the perimeter.
- Take some flashing papers and cut a section that will be as wide as the window as well as two times its width. The piece should cover the whole bottom of the window and extend to all the sides enough to reach the outer edge. Next you will staple the piece along the bottom edge of the window. Make sure you only secure the top edge of the flashing so the building paper can be inserted beneath the edge.
- Get some more flashing material can cut two pieces that are long enough to cover the sides of the window in addition to two times its width. The pieces should overlap the top and bottom flashing in length only. Put one piece on each side of the window and make sure they overlap the bottom flashing.
- Take some flashing material and cut a piece that is the same length as the bottom piece. Put the piece over the top of the window. The piece should be installed over the top of the side pieces.