We got the 4th sliding glass door panel up on the roof. It’s really looking good and with each panel Wadly and I get mounted we learn new things.
Here’s what I’ve learned about mounting mastic. When you’re setting the window, use butyl rubber bead. You can get it from Copperstate Roofing Supply/Best Materials. I already had this material. It came with the metal roofing for our barn/shop.
I used two other products to set two of the windows while Wadly was trying to remember where he put the mastic tape. Trying to caulk an even bead on a slated rafter while standing on a 10′ step ladder leads to unintended sloppy work . . . not to mention how much more spendy the tubes of mastic were than the rolls of mastic. I’ll have to cut off the stuff that ended where it didn’t belong. Yuk. Conversely, the two windows we set with the butyl rubber bead look perfect, perfectly seated with no mastic oozing out anywhere. Plus it was way easier and less messy to apply
To finish glassing in the sun porch I’ve got some spaces which are going to require window sizes I don’t have. And I’m at it again . . . you know me. If I can figure out how to do it, I’m not going to pay someone else to do it for me. In this instance, we’re talking oddly shaped thermopane windows. I think I can make ’em. I’ve got the glass so I may as well try.
So here’s the plan. I stopped at Home Depot today and purchased a 12′ length of ½”x1¼” vinyl molding. I’m going to try to figure out how to cut it in 3/8″x ½” strips to use as the sealing spacers between the panes of glass. Assuming I can cut the molding strip lengthwise without melting it all over the table saw, I’ll miter the corners, seal the miters with aquarium sealer and lay ½”x3/32″ butyl tape (ordered today) on each face of the spacer frame before mounting the glass.
I found a post today bysomeone who described filling the newly sealed panel with argon gas. I can do that, though for the sun porch I probably won’t bother. I’d like to find a source for moisture filtering vents that are used to repair windows with moisture between the panes. I don’t know if that’s possible, but I’ll try. I won’t need them for the sun porch windows, but I will when it comes to building windows for the house . . . assuming I don’t fill them with argon gas. Once I’ve made them I can repair them, dontcha think?
While we’re waiting for the butyl tape to arrive, Wadly needs to get the upper part of the adjoining wall finished and the flashing put in place so we can proceed with installing the windows when they get built.