This installation is WRONG! This is going to LEAK!

I am touring Florida for meetings this week and I can't believe builders allow window companies to install this way. I see it all the time and it shocks me that people don't realize it can't be waterproofed.

The window installers come back after setting the window in place on high stacked shims and backfill with grout. Since when is grout waterproof? And masonry products should not be in direct contact with painted aluminum because the calcium chloride accelerates corrosion. Grout is also not structurally transferring the shear load from the window to the high PSI concrete, an engineer would fail this.

The CORRECT way is to pour a curb the width of the frame or slightly narrower with a high strength grout, fully waterproof it with a liquid applied flashing, set on 1/4" - 3/8" shims with backer rod then caulk the perimeter. And then a back dam caulk seal at the sill and up 6" or so to prevent water intrusion. And then it should be field water tested.

This should be specified and budgeted into the window contract from the beginning.

I help architects, builders, and owners select, specify, and detail luxury residential hurricane glazing systems without manufacturer or dealer biases. I also give classes in all aspects of hurricane windows and doors on glass aesthetics and energy performance, manufacturer product overviews, detailed installation planning and best practices, and understanding hurricane product approvals.