TIPS FOR INSTALLING WINDOWS AND DOORS

1. TIPSFORINSTALLINGWINDOWSANDDOORS When it comes to increasingenergyefficiency and controlling moisture in our homes, buildings as well as commercial buildings, doors and windows playa verycritical role in this, and this makes them veryimportant materials in construction. Improper or poor design and substandard installation can cause air infiltration, moisture invasion and poor performance of the doors or windows. To ensure consistency, and high-quality windows and doors installations, there are guidelines which have been put in place to guide the installation of doors and windows in the commercial buildingindustryas well as the remodelingindustry. These guidelines applyto the installationof exterior glass doors and window systems, includingslidingand hinged glass doors. The guidelines cover both replacement and new construction projects. Besides, the guidelines offer tips, lessons, and advice on design, specifications and the installation of door and window systems. Here are a few tips for can be followed during the installation of new doors and windows. Correct installation All windows and doors are designed to meet the expected performance levels on the windows and doors to be installed. Relatingthe water performance capabilities of the doors and windows to be installed with the specifications of the project can significantly reduce the damages caused by water because of improper selection of the doors or windows. Make sure that you rebalance

2. It is good to rebalance the heating, ventilation and air conditioningsystems if you install energyefficient doors and windows in an existingbuilding. Rebalancingof the HVAC • systems after the installation of energyefficient windows and doors helps in • accommodatingthe reduced levels of air infiltration via the doors and windows. • If you fail to rebalance the HVAC systems, it can lead to the creationof negative • pressures in the building. This can result in howlingand whistlingnoises and water invasion in areas that had never happened in the building. • Installation of exterior glass doors • If you want to install exterior glass doors in dwellingunits with manyfamilies, consider the followingcautions and pointers: • The doors should have a clearance width of at least 32 inches for wheelchairs. This should be measured fromthe face of the door to the stop of the door when open • 90°. • Exterior door edges and slidingtracks should not exceed a half to three-quarter inch high. If the thresholds and levels change in these locations, theycan be • beveled with a slope not exceeding1:2. • The clearance width foran accessible route inside the house should be at least 36 inches. • If a patio or balconyhas doorways leadinginto other rooms, the doors should be wheelchair accessible. • Windowsflush • Windows flush should be kept with face in surface barrier applications. The windows should not extend past the exterior building’s front or past the outer water barrierin • surface-barrier wall systems which are do not have water resistant barriers behind the surface skin. • Follow the installation instructions • Never install the windows, doors or frames without followingthe manufacturer’s • installation guidelines or consultingthe necessaryparties. Every door, window or frame has its unique design characteristics, and the manufacturer usually gives guidelines how these products should be installed to achieve their maximumperformance. • Source:http://mollyshah.com/tips-for-installing-windows-and-doors.html