Anatol Posted August 26, 2011 Report Share Posted August 26, 2011 Fellow Inspectors, I have a question about windows with built in j channel or self flashing windows. I called these windows as missing J channel. The builder is saying they area properly installed. This is new construction with vinyl siding. All comments are welcome. Anatol Click to Enlarge 37.77 KB Click to Enlarge 23.79 KB Click to Enlarge 24.32 KB Click to Enlarge 30.41 KB Click to Enlarge 36.69 KB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie R Posted August 26, 2011 Report Share Posted August 26, 2011 Hi Anatol; If I am correct about this, a J-Channel is simply a termination point to put the end of the vinyl siding. The windows in the photo have a fairly large channel area where the siding ends, and as long as there is a flashing behind the vinyl at the window, then it becomes a matter of aesthetics. I've called this out a couple of years ago on some new constructs (Ryan Homes) and had two different siding contractors that I respect tell me it's ok. Again, there has to be flashing, but it appears the window in your photo has that feature as a built-in. Charlie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erby Posted August 26, 2011 Report Share Posted August 26, 2011 Get the window name and specs. They're new. The specs should be readily available. That'll answer your question. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Lamb Posted August 26, 2011 Report Share Posted August 26, 2011 Self-flashing means that if water gets inside the window assembly it will drain out. In other words any decent window is self-flashed otherwise it's garbage. It has nothing to do with whether the installer flashed the window around the framing. You will have to remove the siding to see if the installer actually flashed it. Charlie has it right. The built-in J-channel around the window is a nice feature and saves the vinyl siding guy time but it has nothing to do with flashing. There's still a flange that has to be nailed and flashed that you can't see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Lamb Posted August 26, 2011 Report Share Posted August 26, 2011 Click to Enlarge 35.4 KB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandon Whitmore Posted August 27, 2011 Report Share Posted August 27, 2011 For vinyl siding, I would call that type of window self trimmed (no need for J trim) vs. self flashed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurt Posted August 27, 2011 Report Share Posted August 27, 2011 Mike's right. You can't see the important part. Vinyl siding, properly installed, always "leaks". It's a rain screen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anatol Posted August 27, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 27, 2011 Thanks all... I'll update my client. Anatol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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