The windows were a lot of work. A lot more than we wanted, but I think the windows will look very nice once it is all finished.
The design that Gene Davis gave me here on this thread is a little
different in that his particular design uses two
window bucks, basically. One that is recessed in the ICF concrete gap,
then another one to do the window design. We decided that the window buck used enough wood that we couldn't justify doing two bucks, so I think
that's why we went with the solid wood on the bottom to help keep that
frame sturdy. And we cut holes in it for the concrete. But I think two 2x4 would accomplish the same thing,
save labor, and we could even place two smaller ones on each end for more support if we needed it. I saw that on some other thread, but it was too late for us. You can see a quick drawing I did to show the two 2x4 idea.
We went with non-PT wood because I work with PT wood a lot and the new treatments that replaced CCA make that wood twist and warp like crazy and we didn't want that on our windows, so we bought heat treated lumber in Doug Fir, since it isn't as susceptible to crazy expansion when wet like Pine, and were very careful to store it right while we worked so that the lumber stayed flat. But next time we will use a peel and stick waterproofing instead of the one we brushed on. This was messy, and smelly, and very time consuming.
We did use pressure treated wood for the bottom of the sliding door buck, but since we had to rip it to size, we did put waterproofing on the edges that we cut. Any time you cut into treated wood you compromise that treatment and basically nullify what the treatment is supposed to do. When I get complaints that treated wood is rotting, I always ask if they cut it, bored holes, or anything like that, and if so if they applied some wood treatment or waterproofing. Because any cut or hole bypasses the treated portion opening up non-treated wood, since the treatment only penetrates so far. So keep that in mind if you decide to go with PT wood. Also, I don't have inspections on my house so I got away with getting CCA treated wood for wood foundation use. Though technically it is being used in the foundation. :)
Hope that helps!
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