Just got back from working at the mine. Bought a fixer upper a couple months ago, decided to gut it and put in new vinyl sliders as the original circa 1972 aluminum sliders were in it. The house is 2 x 4 built. Home Depot had a sale on some Jen Weld windows so I made an order. Today I looked at all the windows that were delivered and noticed they are all 2 7/8" wide. Maybe they would work in a trailer, but am wondering what to do now. Am I missing some kind of Vinyl trim or something?
Thanks,
WIS

 

I guess you mean 2-7/8 deep.
You just need to make some extension jambs.
Just strips of pine or sheetrock depending on the look your going for.
There ripped to the width need to go from the window frame to the face of the sheetrock.

 

Ya, I guess it allows them to make one window to fit all wall thicknesses. It actually allows you to trim them as you want and do a good job of air sealing and insulating.

Bud

 

Ya, I would have paid more for a proper sized casement window, especially after I told the window guy the windows are for a 2 X 4 constructed house! Kind of ticks me off after spending 2 grand and now I have to trim them.

 

No vinyl window would automatically be the right wall thickness. You would always need the extension jambs... either added afterward by you, or an option included with the windows... it might have been something you could have ordered with the windows had you understood what you were getting and pressed the salesman for that option. It obviously would not be included in the sale price, since not all windows have that option, and for the ones that do, it costs extra. You can't really blame a salesman for ordering the window you picked out.

"2x4 constructed house" really doesn't tell a salesman the exact wall thickness, which is what he needs to know. 4 9/16" is a standard thickness for 2x4 walls with 1/2" drywall and 1/2" sheathing, but not all houses are "standard". Some might have 1" foam or 3/4" sheathing instead of 1/2" sheathing. Some might have paneling instead of drywall. Hard to say if the salesman knew to ask the right questions either.

Caveat emptor

 

Thanks for the reply XS, dully noted for next time. Although pretty sure I will stick to wood windows.
Cheers,

 

When you order wood windows, the salesman will "usually" want to know the exact wall thickness (in inches / mm) It's pretty common for wood windows to be ordered to the exact thickness of the wall so that all you have to do is put on the casing.

However in some cases, they will order a stock/standard jamb thickness (like 4 9/16") so again, they are leaving it up to you to add any additional thickness onto that jamb that is needed to make up the difference. Some might do that thinking they are saving you $$$ and/or headaches if you make a mistake measuring the wall thickness and it ends up too narrow or too thick.

 

Most of these guys don't deal with sliders too much, but they are very common where I am, even brand new higher end homes.

Did you get replacement or new construction? Replacement sliders actually fit inside the old window tracks and normally have some snap on vinyl casing for the interior. Most sliders (around here in the Southwest anyway) use a sheetrock return, not jambs and casing like you normally see in other areas.