Sag in the width of the window
by Rebecca
We are working on a window 43" wide and 63" tall. We tried using 1/16 by 3/16 flat bar to reinforce the window.After soldering it to 4 places along the width of the window and framing it we are still having problems with a sag in the middle of the window when lifted. What rebar should we have used for this large window size. Anything other suggestions for large windows would be great. Thanks Rebecca Answer Hi Rebecca, I handed your question over to my huband to answer since he's the reinforcement and installation expert. Here's what he has to say: What a LARGE window to be working with in one piece!!! Has the putty been allowed to dry before installing this window? Or, is the panel 'copper foiled'? If it is foiled, well after about 30 years of installing window, I certainly wouldn't relish the installation job!! First of all the flat bar you are using is way way to small!! It should be at least 3/16 thick by 3/8 inch wide or maybe 3/16 by 1/2 inch. These bars need to be sitting "on edge" to the window and sticking out from either end far enough to be secured to the window frame. Note: By "sitting on edge", he means they shouldn't be laying flat on the window. There's no strength when they lay flat. To help you visualize it, think of a piece of H came. The edge would be a leg of the H, and the rest of the H (rebar) would be sticking straight out from the window. IF the bar is galvanized, it will solder okay to the window. IF it is steel, it is next to IMPOSSIBLE to get it to solder to the window to be, AND TO REMAIN, SECURELY attached to the window. It may at first appear to be okay but be assured, over time, it won't be!! If it is steel it MUST be attached using wire soldered to the lead, at solder joints, and then twisted / secured to the rebar. We have found that a window of this size is much much easier to work with if it is built in 2 or 3 sections and fitted together like a "tongue and groove" joint using U came on the bottom of the top panel and H came on the top of the next panel. Make sure the H channel is wide enough to accept the U came. I hope this information will help you. |
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