Water penetration resistance of residential window installation options for hurricane-prone areas

Abstract

While recent building code advancements have reduced structural failures in residential buildings during hurricane events, water intrusion through the building envelope is a recurring problem. Water ingress poses a significant threat to the building interior and its contents. The interface between the window and the wall system has been identified as a significant source of this water ingress. The fenestration industry has made extensive efforts to develop installation methods to improve water tightness; however, the body of research needed to guide window installations in high-humidity, hurricane-prone areas is sparse. The goal of this research is to investigate the water penetration resistance of selected window installation options consistent with current construction practice of single-family homes when exposed to wind-driven rain. Static, cyclic, as well as amplitude- and frequency-modulated sinusoidal pressure load sequences were applied with simulated wind-driven rain scenarios to 18 finished wall assemblies with integrated windows. The specimens varied in their unique combination of fenestration, installation methodology, wall structural system, and exterior finish. General conclusions were drawn regarding the effectiveness of the window installation methods to manage water intrusion, as well as the effects that the components of the surrounding wall system have on their performance. The performance of the various sealants used to create the interior moisture/air seal in drainage method window installations is also investigated. It was found that the water barrier and drainage installation methods can provide sufficient water penetration resistance in wood frame construction, while the water barrier method is preferable for windows integrated into masonry walls.