How I got here and how to move forward Part ll – GreenBuildingAdvisor

When I posted part l of this question back in January I was in the midst of my window search for my outbuilding music studio build. I was finding it and continued to find it an incredibly frustrating process. 

I got some very useful input from several members. Toastyy’s links to several glass manufacturers tables and brochures helped a lot. It seems every window company and supplier I talked to has the same model. “Tell us exactly what you want, we’ll see if we can get it and build you a quote.” If you want a different IGU you have to start all over versus just being able to plug in different glass and getting a price adjustment. It’s slow, tedious and maddening especially when you don’t know exactly what you’re looking for.

Member Snow_to _Sand suggested fiberglass frames and put me on to a company called Fibertec in Canada. I might have gone with them were it not for the high cost of shipping and my fear that tariffs would kick in before I was ready for my windows.

I ended up going with another exclusively fiberglass company called Enerlux, out of Nebraska. I still struggled a bit with their sales rep. about glass options. They get their glass exclusively from Cardinal and typically just offer one double pane and one triple pane option. They will (and did) special order, but you have to know exactly which Cardinal IGU you want. When I asked if I could talk to his Cardinal rep. it was a hard no.

I finally just made a decision and went with a double laminate IGU (STC 42).

One thing Enerlux offers which no else did was a choice of stock colors at no up charge. While shipping would have been high, they’re only a days drive from Wisconsin, so I rented a truck and picked them up.

Now they’re sitting in the studio (see photo) waiting to be installed which, FINALLY brings me to why I’m here. I read so many install articles and Q & A’s here but none that seem to quite address my situation. Windows will be set in the middle of my CMU wall, which is in the middle of a very thick wall assembly. I’m really not sure quite how to flash it or which products to use. 

From my crude wall detail you may be able to see that the log siding (to match the house) will only be on 2 side (facing the house and facing the street). The other 2 sides will get thicker insulation and a troweled stucco finish. Given the thick walls and the 3′ overhangs some of the usual problems might not be an issue, but belt AND suspenders, right? All thoughts welcome, I must get these in soon!

Thanks, Dwight.