fkforster

I was referring to fixed double pane units installed into rough 2x framing in an old turn of the century house on a hard-to-reach third floor. The double pane units rest on setting blocks that are in contact with the rough framing. The exterior stops are nailed to 1x fascia covering the rough opening on sides and top with the lower stop acting as the window sill and nailed directly to the rough opening. The interior tops are finished hardwood stops of 1x material nailed in the same manner as the exterior stops (sides and tops to 1x fascia and bottom to the rough opening. Hope that helps.

I have seen installations of thermal pane fixed window units that do not have a shash that are installed from the inside against exterior wood stops using both the wet set and glazing tape methods in cases where exterior access is difficult. But doesn't each method require work to be done from the outside? In the wet set method excess caulk needs to be removed from the outside after the caulk sets. In the glazing tape method, the tape replaces the caulk of the wet set, but is it acceptable practice to not also caulk from the exterior? If caulk is used with glazing tape, it can be done as part of the installation and the job finished without returning. With wet setting a return to the job site after the caulk sets up is required, and in addition future replacement of the window can be more problemmatic. But I think there is a temptation for some installers to skip the exterior caulk step when using glazing tape, and given the variabilites at hand the glazing tape itself may not prevent water intrusion especially along the bottom stop. What is acceptable practice?