Sill vs no sill

[attwater]

Scott,

I have had similar problems with ICF walls and windows, but only some windows. Those that are bugging me now are in a clerestory wall, set at a high level relative to the 1st story floor (second story room is "Open Below" and windows were placed after this designation). There are similar windows directly below with about 30" of wall between them, and the upper windows show the gaps like in your jpegs. Not the bottom windows though.

So maybe part of the key is the thick walls. Have not had any other window problems with ICF walls though.

Have you sent this in to tech support?

Mark Powell

[dshall]

Mark, Based on your reply you either did not understand my posts or you decided not to read them, and you now expect me to repeat what I have so carefully written.

[attwater]

Scott,

Is Brian in tech support?

My intent was to point out that some of this gap phenomenon is not unique to windows in CMU walls, it happens in ICF walls sometimes as well (even without any copying from a framed wall). The idea was that maybe the thickness of the wall had something to do with it, or perhaps that concrete was used. I have no clue, but if I were debugging this window gap problem, I would want to know all the ways it could happen.

No repeat expected nor desired of your posts, I was just sharing an experience with a similar problem that coupled with your descriptions might lead to a fix. Just trying to help and commisserate.

Mark Powell

[SDS Chris]

Scott. I didn't read the whole post.......

Speaking as a framer - not a Chiefer....when I install a window in a CMU or concrete wall in reality - there will be no exterior sill...I frame the CMU opening with treated 2x or 1x or 5/4 material and install the window almost like a replacement window....

However, if there is furring/sheathing/studding on the exterior of the CMU - then we set the window in from the outside just as we would on a standard framed wall with the nailing flanges on the exterior sheathing - and thus you can "recess" the window to the 'main layer, framing layer, sheathing layer"....and thus have an exterior sill. (and J to run the siding up to).

What I am saying is - Chief is doing this right...on a masonry/concrete wall you won't have an exterior sill and you can't recess the window because there is only one layer.

[dshall]

Mark, Brian is in tech support. Chris, try reading the entire post and see if you change your mind.

[SDS Chris]

Scott.

Well....you changed the discussion part-way through from sills to gaps. I've never seen that gap issue...that's just weird. Even when copying/moving windows from frame walls to CMU I haven't seen gaps. Is there a specification setting in the gaped windows that is on or off that is opposite in the un-gaped windows? I can't even create those gaps in my plans.

But - as far as the exterior sill is concerned on a CMU wall - I'm standing my ground.

And, in reality, on a window that is in CMU/Concrete/IFC etc wall...in reality wouldn't have any interior casing or sill until there is an interior frame wall with it.

[attwater]

Scott,

Have you gotten any response from Tech Support (Brian or others) on the window/CMU/concrette gap phenomenon?

By the way, and don't get the big head, but I actually search for your posts (and believe it or not, read them carefully, not so much to avoid wasting your time, but to learn from your trial and error instead of doing it myself).

HNY, and don't reinjure yourself tonight dancing.

Mark Powell

[dshall]

Scott,

Have you gotten any response from Tech Support (Brian or others) on the window/CMU/concrette gap phenomenon?

By the way, and don't get the big head, but I actually search for your posts (and believe it or not, read them carefully, not so much to avoid wasting your time, but to learn from your trial and error instead of doing it myself).

HNY, and don't reinjure yourself tonight dancing.

Mark Powell

Yeah, I know, sorry about that, obviously I needed an attitude adjustment that day. And no, I have not heard from tech. I rarely hear back from them about any issues I send in. In fact the only time I hear back is when it is my error and they are pointing me in the right direction, so I am assuming it is an issue and they are working on it.

I think the ankle is feeling better already thanks to CA, so I suspect I will be cutting the rug tonite.

[GordC]

Hi,

I got the attached error using the original version of Pro 10 and now I see it is still happening with the updated copy. 10" CMU.

The work-a-round was to copy windows and doors from a short section of wall that was separate from the main model.