Wood Windows

The Legends Condos on S.W. 19th. Wood windows, especially casement windows in high-wind applications, whether clad or not, have a well-established history of problems in the Willamette Valley.

Case in point. Wind driven moisture is driven right back up into the weep-hole corners in the weatherstripping that is supposed to let water drain out. But with wind-load factors such as these openings are exposed to, gravity is moot. The rain is blown up past the weep-holes, past the aluminum-clad surfaces to the end grain of these sash and wicked up into the sash components via the stile and rail seems.

We offer expert consultation services to architects, structural engineers and construction companies, but few and wise are they who make use of our expertise in these matters before such buildings are built. As with many such buildings, this one came with swing-stage rigging which we employed for hanging our block and tackle gear.

The other end of the block and tackle set up is lowered to the patio below. Yes, we did look into a man-lift, which we use all the time, but due to the lack of level surfaces upon which to park it, the lift companies advised us against it. A swing stage would have added several thousand dollars to a job whose price tag was understandably causing heads to spin already.

Our crew stationed below hook up the glass manipulator and it is lifted up to the 6th story window, whereupon it is attached to the glass of the damaged sash.

The damaged sash is lowered to the patio below after the sash is detached from the jamb. Remember, you can click the photo to enlarge it. You may find it difficult to make out the sash on the end of the ropes otherwise. Notice the two addional ropes attached to the window by which our crew kept the window positioned away from the wall as needed.

The new sash is hooked up to the manipulator.

And the new Marvin sash is raised into position, whereupon it is fastened into the original jamb assembly. You might imagine how fortunate we were to find a day with the weather we had this day. Imagine trying to handle this large window on the end of these ropes if the wind had been blowing.

Jake hangs around outside for a while and tackles the exterior finish work.

All the seams are caulked this time. No more depending on the factory weatherstripping to keep the weather out on this particular sash.