Install windows WITHOUT capping?

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Rafyy
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Joined: Tue Apr 23, 2024 1:10 pm

Install windows WITHOUT capping?

#1 Post by Rafyy »

Northeast here with a brick 1950's house. i see most windows in my neighborhood have capping all around the perimeter (example: https://clevelandwindowcompany.com/wp-c ... 8x1024.jpg) im not a fan of how that looks; it hides the window frame and youre losing so much glass space.

How would you go about installing it WITHOUT the capping, ie brick-to-brick (like here: https://i.pinimg.com/originals/98/0f/2b ... 9ac954.jpg)

looking at my house, i see the interior opening (lathe and plaster) is about 2-3 inches smaller on each side than the exterior opening (why its built like that is beyond me :? ), so im assuming the capping is to bridge the space difference between the interior opening and exterior opening? and theyre using 2x4's to do that and in order to prevent the wood from rotting they cover them with aluminum?

if i want the windows frames up against the exterior bricks i would have to take down the interior walls and reframe the entire opening?

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HomeSealed
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Re: Install windows WITHOUT capping?

#2 Post by HomeSealed »

Not necessarily the "interior opening" size to exterior opening size, but the rough opening to the brick. If the brick opening is the same or similar to your rough opening, you can install the windows with the look that you want. This is not as common, but I believe it is found more in some regions than others.

The more conventional way is where the rough opening is smaller than the brick opening and brickmold takes up the difference. This is commonly clad when replacement windows are installed.

Cladding really doesn't "hide the window frame", just the very edge of it so that it has a finished appearance.

Rafyy
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Re: Install windows WITHOUT capping?

#3 Post by Rafyy »

So am i correct to assume that if i want it installed brick-to-brick the interior has to be reframed? (that sounds expensive).

an alternative i was thinking about would be to get fiberglass windows (pella impervia or marvin) with thinner frames, so that i at least get a little more glass area.

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Delaware Mike
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Re: Install windows WITHOUT capping?

#4 Post by Delaware Mike »

Newly constructed homes in the North East have the brick mason run the brick and mortar right to the edge of the flat jamb framed window. Easy peasy and easy to go back in with either the same sized unit or a very slightly downsized window (smaller for correct squaring of the new unit and ability to inject any spray foam from the exterior). Older brick homes in the North East typically had a wood windows that feature 2" exterior frame brickmolding that sort of acted as a nail flange and was offset to the actual window frame size and would mate to the face of the sheathing, then the brick masons would run to that. If you pulled your interior trim, cut back a little sheetrock to see the actual jack studs, rough sill, and header (rough opening), you would see that it's typically not possible to measure from the exterior and utilize that size for the new window sizing. Hope that helps a little.

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HomeSealed
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Re: Install windows WITHOUT capping?

#5 Post by HomeSealed »

Awesome explanation Mike.

@Rafyy, do you have any pics of your own home? The only way to know for sure is with some disassembly as DM said, but we can tell you what is highly likely by seeing an exterior pic.

Rafyy
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Re: Install windows WITHOUT capping?

#6 Post by Rafyy »

Its pretty much identical to the example i posted in the first post (albeit older and dirtier :lol: ).

im gonna be doing the same style (vinyl windows with capping) this year on the rear windows of my house, but for the front (which im doing next year with higher end marvin or pella) i wanted brick-to-brick. i guess i'll take a closer look when they install the back windows and see how exactly these walls are built.

thanks for all the info guys!

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HomeSealed
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Re: Install windows WITHOUT capping?

#7 Post by HomeSealed »

In all likelihood they'll be just as Mike an I expect.

Is it safe to assume that you want to install the new window as new construction/full frame units?

The first pic looks to be a typical pocket install. If you go full frame, while you may not be able to get exactly the look that you want, it would be a bit closer.

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