Tiny house, minimal eaves, lots of rain–Help with windows and siding
Hey all,
My Name is Justin. Currently building a tiny home on wheels in Hawaii, with not too much experience and some help.
Due to width restrictions we could not design much for eaves on the long sides of our build. We have lots of windows that are beautiful reclaimed port orford cedar, but they have no window flange. I flashing taped them to create one basically. I am in a spot now where a builder friend has advised I redo some of the flashing work by taking some the the aluminum siding down to make a bigger drip edge, both longer and further out from building to save it so much of the water doesnt even pass by the window openings. I think its a good idea, although a bit defeating as now I have to redo some work. At this point I am re considering taking all the shingles down as we got them for free anyway and considering going corrugated metal siding as I have to order a bunch new flashing anyway. I just want this things to be as waterproof as possible. Seems like J trim would be the best way to go? I was told just L and thats the way i was going but now I see this as a potential for water to get behind siding. Anyway would like to get some ideas and eyes on it. Going backwards sucks but Im taking it as an opportinuty to go forwards with a better design. Like I said, we get lots of rain but lots of sun too. I have attached photos of some of the build, both where we have sided and havent. Thanks in advance!
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Replies
Justin,
- J trim for the bottom and sides of windows and doors. Bed the flashing in caulking against the frames:
https://shop.metalworkscanada.com/products/j-channel
- Head flashing with a drip edge and end-dams over the windows:
https://hammerandhand.com/best-practices/manual/1-flashing/1-2-head-flashing/
- Wall Base (12th image):
https://www.westform.com/application/files/7415/8586/1069/12-36_Flashings_NP_2020.pdf
- At the corners I like to use the profile I have attached in the photo. The second picture is of it installed.
I would use these details whether you use the shingles again, or corrugated metal.
Hey Malcom,
Thanks for the detailed response! Can I ask if metal trim around windows would be more preferable to waterproofing vs cedar? (Photo attached) reason being I would have to double J trim (window) and then cedar to integrate corrgeated siding. Looking at cedar trim to allow me to attach fold down awnings too or else I would skip it.
Justin,
Wood trim is fine around the windows. The head-flashing should go over the trim, not between it and the window frame.
My own house:
Hey Malcom, for those corner pieces, since I have shingles and they are cut...as seen in photo I am not sure if that profile you pictures will work because of the way the shingles attach to each other. Maybe a profile like that could be fastened with metal roofing screws to the corners? Also do you have any knowledge of wood material design for the corners? If i cannot get a profile like the one you pictured above, maybe there is a way to integrate the corners in a water tight way with wood?
Thanks again, as well for the photos of the flashing details on your house. Helps a lot. I might end up doing a combination of wood trim and J trim correlated to the different sides on the house that gets the most weather. Upon testing some wood trim yesterday against the window I saw that it was pretty difficult to get a flat and flush seal. This is partly due to the fact that my windows were not flanged, thus I had to create a flange with window flashing tape. Also playing with the idea of taking the wood trim to the table saw to notch out a bit thus the wood will overlap the window frames some.
How often do you plan on moving this? I would just build a seperate porch roof structure to protect the windows if this is going to remain in one spot for more than a few years.
Hopefully not too much, but I don't own the land so you never know. I've thought about that, and in the longer term I probably will, but for now I need to have it be able to deal with the elements on its own. Looking into simple folding awnings mounted above the big door and lower windows..
I think its a good idea, although a bit defeating as now I have to redo some work. https://getrand.co.za/