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Siding around windows with integrated j-channel

col*klink

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Joined
Aug 27, 2007
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11
Location
WI
I've looked and looked, but I cannot come up with a definite answer... Can somebody clue me in to how to run my vinyl siding around windows with integrated j-channel?

I have the windows already installed with the adhesive flashing all around it (pretty sure I have it right...bottom 1st, sides, and then top.

1. Do I just run the siding into the integrated j-channel and nothing more? Seems 'leaky'. :)

2. Do I try to get a piece of under- sill trim up into the j-channel on the bottom of the window?

Any help/pics would be appreciated. Thx!
 
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boiler7904

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Apr 4, 2006
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NW IN
Can you give a link to the windows you used?

You're flashing sounds right but there should be some sealant and maybe a sill pan.
 
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col*klink

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Aug 27, 2007
Messages
11
Location
WI
I am in same situation. Got openings framed and ready to put windows in. Go to www.hometime.com. They show videos on how to do this. Might be helpful.

Yep... Been to this site once or twice before. Couldn't find a video, and the article they have shows installed j-channel (which makes sense). Still, nothing on siding around windows w/ the j-channel integrated.
 

JCByrd24

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Jul 21, 2005
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Location
Bath, ME
I believe you side right around it....nothing special. Vinyl is a breathing siding (this is a good thing), where as most siding actually gets some water behind it whether it's designed to or not, vinyl is designed to deal with this by letting it breath (dry out). You will actually notice drain holes in the bottoms of the "clapboards" of the vinyl siding. The integrated j-channel will shield the water around your window (and window opening) very effectively and yes some will end up behind the siding below the window, but should stay outside of the sheathing because of the house wrap and cause no issues.

I'm pretty sure that is the case, you may want to wait for an expert to chime in.
 
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ghnl

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Mar 27, 2009
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Mebane, NC
Do I just run the siding into the integrated j-channel and nothing more?

That is how it is installed on our house. Remember to not make it so tight the siding cannot move - it expands/contracts with temperature changes.
 
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col*klink

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Aug 27, 2007
Messages
11
Location
WI
Thanks JC and Eric... That information makes me feel a whole lot better. Unless an expert chimes in, I'll side right into the j-channel (leaving the proper gaps, of course!)
 

dipper

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Jun 27, 2007
Messages
759
Location
Rochester, NY
yes, that is what the integrated J-channel is for. less work, just run the siding right into it with about 1/4" gap on the inside of the j-channel.

The Jeld-wen windows I put in my garage didn't have an integrated j-channel, so i had to install j-channel on the sides and top of the window and then used an undersill trim on the bottom of the window to lock the siding in.

I guess you have less chance of water getting between the window and the siding with an integrated j-channel window; but if it's flashed properly with that butyl tape they sell at the home stores there isn't much chance for water to get in anyway.

here's a couple of pics-
 

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tcianci

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Feb 7, 2009
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Walpole, Ma
Yes you can just side into the J channel . Use the undersill trim if the piece of siding under the sill is at the "thin " part of the siding, it will take up some of the slop of the siding in the channel under the sill. Vinyl siding is really a leaky siding and the prep you do before installing it makes all the difference in how well the building stands up long term. There was a comment in one of the replys to your post about the housewrap stopping the water that gets behind the siding. Beware that certain houswraps such as Tyvek and possibly other spun bond products actually let moisture through. Thay are an air infiltration barrier only. Personally we still use good old felt paper behind all our siding jobs. As remodelers, we have yanked apart many an ancient house with felt behind the siding and everything is just fine. On the other hand, nearly everything we take apart with Tyvek behind it is rotted big time. I have mentioned this before and hate to sound like a broken record but I can't understand why the stuff is still on the market or at least why it isn't the subject of a class action lawsuit. The advantages of housewraps in general are for the builder, not the building... The large rolls allow the builders to apply the stuff in no time flat on the walls before they are stood and the stuff has a prolonged "open time" during construction allowing it to stand up to the weather, especially wind better than felt while the building is under construction.
 

lyderallylyd

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Joined
Mar 22, 2024
Messages
9
Yes you can just side into the J channel . Use the undersill trim if the piece of siding under the sill is at the "thin " part of the siding, it will take up some of the slop of the siding in the channel under the sill. Vinyl siding is really a leaky siding and the prep you do before installing it makes all the difference in how well the building stands up long term. There was a comment in one of the replys to your post about the housewrap stopping the water that gets behind the siding. Beware that certain houswraps such as Tyvek and possibly other spun bond products actually let moisture through. Thay are an air infiltration barrier only. Personally we still use good old felt paper behind all our siding jobs. As remodelers, we have yanked apart many an ancient house with felt behind the siding and everything is just fine. On the other hand, nearly everything we take apart with Tyvek behind it is rotted big time. I have mentioned this before and hate to sound like a broken record but I can't understand why the stuff is still on the market or at least why it isn't the subject of a class action lawsuit. The advantages of housewraps in general are for the builder, not the building... The large rolls allow the builders to apply the stuff in no time flat on the walls before they are stood and the stuff has a prolonged "open time" during construction allowing it to stand up to the weather, especially wind better than felt while the building is under construction.
Hello! Is the undersill trim considered cosmetic with j channel integrated windows or a necessity?
 
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