Installing the Easy Connect Joining System with Jake Bruton

Your customers want lots of windows. You want to install those windows as seamlessly as possible and without sacrificing quality. Our joining system is the answer. In this Onsite with Andersen video, Aarow Building owner Jake Bruton demonstrates why “easy” is in the name.

Note: Every installation is different. The materials and methods featured here were selected by the builder. They are not endorsed by Andersen and may not be right for all applications.

The takeaway: "Work smarter not harder,” as Bruton said. The Easy Connect Joining System is designed to make it easier for you and your crew to install the large window combinations that customers want while also allowing you to properly manage for water and air. As Bruton said, you can be “confident in your installation” with the Easy Connect Joining System.
For a review of the process Bruton followed and links to useful resources, keep reading.

Rough opening prep

Connecting the window unit to the drainage plane was just as essential here as in any window installation, but before we get into the details of how they did that, it’s important to note that Bruton and his crew followed the drainage method of installation.

Following the drainage method of installation means leaving the bottom unsealed. Bruton favors this approach because water can drain down and out in the case of future infiltration. Because they used the drainage method, they moved the air control layer inside.

Here’s how they prepared the rough opening:

Sill: One continuous piece of ZIP System™ Stretch Tape was used to flash the sill. The tape goes 6 to 8 inches up the side jambs as well. Bruton emphasized the importance of using a single piece of tape, which he does to avoid breaks that could provide a path in for water.
Jambs and head: ZIP System Seam Tape was used on the jambs and head of the window. Bruton used seam tape here because it’s more cost-effective.
Top corners: ZIP System Stretch Tape was again used where the jambs meet the head of the rough opening. He did this to avoid origami. While seam tape could be used here, the geometry of corners and turns makes it much more difficult to ensure continuity. Therefore, he finds the additional cost of stretch tape an acceptable one that reduces the long-term risk to his client and company. Additionally, using it surgically is more cost-effective than running it across the entire head of the window where it’s not as necessary as on the sill.

Did you know you can select your preferred method of installation, drainage, or barrier, when you use our installation guide configurator? This tool also allows you to customize by product, project, and more.

Installation guide configurator

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Dry fitting the windows

The windows used in Bruton’s project came as individual units with factory-installed fiberglass joining plates attached. The Easy Connect Joining System enabled his team to lift each A-Series Double-Hung Window into the rough opening and connect it to the preceding window using the interlocking plates. This simplified the operation as it took about 10 minutes to get all the windows secured into place. It also cut down on costs as no crane or other large piece of equipment was needed — conveniently, this also protected the homeowner’s lawn.

Did you know that joining in the opening is not the only configuration we offer? The Easy Connect Joining System is available for factory-assembled windows — a single unit can be up to 12 feet wide and 8 feet high. A third option is to order windows with a joining kit. This allows your crew to join the units onsite and then install as a single unit.

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Finishing the installation

Once the windows were set in place, the crew checked for plumb, level, and square of the entire unit. They also tested window operation. They then moved outside to finish fastening, connecting control layers, and adding trim. Here are the steps they followed:

Opening end plugs were installed between each window at the top and bottom. These are important components of the Easy Connect Joining System, playing both a mechanical and sealing role. They lock the units together and allow for air and water sealing as they have an open port that’s designed to be filled with sealant.
A bead of sealant was applied to the seam between each window frame. The mullion covers were attached between windows, and the exterior trim was added around the window unit's perimeter. Note the exterior trim is not a component of the Easy Connect System but an accessory that’s available to order with our windows.
They applied the drip cap using a bead of sealant and added flashing tape over the top seam. They also peeled up two pieces of tape sealing a seam in the ZIP System that intersects with the windows. They stuck these pieces of tape over the tape covering the drip cap. Taking these shingling steps provides a path that encourages any intruding water to run down and out instead of into the window unit.

Did you know? The Easy Connect Joining System is an option with both A-Series and 100 Series windows.

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More to explore

More about joining Explore A-Series Understanding control layers

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