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When installing my vinyl windows should I put a nail into every little hole around the window? It has a flange that has many little holes around it. Also what size nails would you recommend? Finally do I need to secure the window to the inside of the rough opening, as you do with a door?

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Check out the site blog entry about replacement windows for pictures and tips. – Steve Jackson Mar 12 '12 at 15:35
This question should be edited to reflect new construction installation versus replacement windows. My answer below is based on replacement windows. The installation methods differ. – Jon Raynor Mar 12 '12 at 21:06
He talks about the nailing fin ("flange") in the question - so these are not replacement, they are new contrustion windows. – dbracey Mar 12 '12 at 22:56
@Dbracey - Thanks for the clarification. – Jon Raynor Mar 13 '12 at 12:49

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Yes put a nail into every hole. I would recommend galvanized nails that are 1 to 2 inches in length. If there is nothing behind the flange but plywood, anything over an inch and the nail will just be sticking through the plywood.

I assume you will hit some framing behind the playwood, so a little longer and you will hit that. I looked over my new vinyl windows in my sunroom and there are no attachment points on the inside of the window.

I don't recall doing anything on the inside of the window when installing. The most important point I remember was with the flashing on the outside. Start at the bottom, then the sides, then the top so that water can be properly channelled away. There is a video below in the comments showing an installation. I remember it was pretty straight forward, just made sure the windows are level.

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The windows I am installing is in a new rough opening, no pre-existing windows. – Kevin Mar 12 '12 at 20:39
OK, for new rough opening it is definatley different than replacement windows. – Jon Raynor Mar 12 '12 at 20:45
This is for new windows. youtube.com/watch?v=j8xY5QKVU9s&feature=related , I would fill every hole, looks like a 1.5" galvanized nail. – Jon Raynor Mar 12 '12 at 20:57
If you have the model number off this window, go to the manufacturer's website and look up their installation instructions. Milgard, Jeld-Wen, et.al. are pretty explicit in how to install a window so it meets their warranty. Usually, they want you to use roofing nails and put them in every other hole. Vinyl expands and contracts, this allows for it to happen. There's a flexible flashing and caulk routine as well to prevent leaks. – Fiasco Labs Apr 8 at 15:45
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Yes, I'd recommend putting a nail in every single hole, roughly 1.5 inches in size. I believe what you have are new construction windows because they're equipped with the nailing flange along the outer frame. Typically, vinyl replacement windows don't come attached with this kind of flange for easy installation.

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