Thread: "Sheathing Layer" question

The window dialog box has a setting to recess the window to the "Sheathing Layer". I can't find a place to specify the sheathing layer in my wall type.

I have a 2x4 wall, then a 1" layer of rigid foam, then 1/2" layer of plywood sheathing (our standard wall system for our post and beam homes).

The window appears to think the Sheathing Layer is the foam.

I'm guessing that the programming just grabs the first layer that is on the exterior of the framing (main layer), and assumes it is the "Sheathing Layer" but I'm not sure. Any ideas?

Thanks!

I believe the "recess" pertains to the exterior casing and not the window. I believe if you want to inset the frame you need to change the "inset" value.

That "recessed into wall" bit of dialog is somewhat misleading.

Study it a bit and you will find that what gets recessed if you check the option, which will then require you to choose between to main layer and to sheathing layer, is the EXTERIOR WINDOW CASING.

Rightfully so, Chief treats the casing (and sill and apron) as a set of separate elements from the window itself, the window elements being the SASH and the FRAME.

And, what you've found out is true, that Chief presumes the next outermost layer to whatever is set as MAIN is the sheathing layer.

In view of how you build your houses, and in view of a lot of stuff that is going on nowadays in rigid-foam-to-the-outside-of-framing stuff, Chief needs to rework how this all goes down. Maybe.

Let's pretend we can customize our window dialog and rename that part on the page tabbed OPTIONS, where it says RECESSED INTO WALL, and instead call it WHAT THE EXTERIOR CASING MOUNTS UP AGAINST.

There, that's better. At least, the wording is better. Now, if we could rewrite the code even further, what would we want as options here? With Chief as it is now, there are three available. They are:

1. The outermost layer. This is what happens when you don't check the box.

2. The next outermost layer to the main layer. This is what happens when you check the option, and press the "sheathing layer" button.

3. The main layer.

But in your case, you want to mount that window to the second outermost layer from main, because you have your wall built with rigid foam sandwiched between MAIN and SHEATHING.

How do we do that? We can't now.

Chief is built to accommodate window casing placement, based on an assumption that MAIN, ONE-LAYER OUT, and OUTERMOST are all the possible placements for exterior casing. But that is not true. There is at least one more possibility, and it is yours.

And there may be more.

Maybe they should just change the ONE LAYER OUT logic to be ONE LAYER IN. That would do it for you, wouldn't it? Even if you had a zero thickness or even a very very thin housewrap layer there, it would get your casing pretty much where needed.

But then, sez I, what about the folks that want to build with a serious water-drainage layer, like one done with furring strips, under the finish cladding layer? I think the ONE LAYER IN logic would work for them, also.

I think I'll use the send-your-suggestion-directly-to-Chief mailbox and send them an email about this, requesting some sort of change for X4.

And BTW, check out what you can do with the window itself, by changing its frame depth, sash depth, and sash position (inset) specs. Very flexible, and you can get your windows looking pretty real.

Thanks for all the help. I agree with Gene's analysis. What might be a more system wide option as far as Chief programing goes, is to refine the Wall System dialog box. I would suggest adding radio buttons for Sheathing Layer next to the ones for "Main Layer". It might be expanded even more to split "Main Layer" to "Framing Layer" and "Resize About" Layer. These setting could be used in other areas of Chief, such as where the exterior corner boards snap to, etc.

I am realistic enough to know that this would effect so many other things in the program that it might not make sens and would take A LOT of programming time.

Anyway, if anyone wants a more detailed explanation of the issue please read the following and check the images:

Hmmm... that makes sense, but I'm having some trouble getting it to display what I want on the floor plan.

If I select "Not Recessed", then it draws the casing on the outside of my outermost layer, which is the siding (it seems to make the casing 2" deep, where does it get trim depth from?).

If I select "Recessed" and select "Sheathing Layer", then it draws the draws the casing against my foam layer and automatically "thins" the trim to get to the exterior layer (goes to 1 1/4" in my case).

If I select "Recessed" and select "Main Layer", then it draws the casing against the main layer, then automatically "thickens" the trim to get to the most exterior layer (goes to 2 1/4" in my case).

The "how windows don't get displayed right in floor plan" thing has been discussed, and gone over nicely in Scott Hall's training videos re windows at the ChiefTutor.com site.

I filed a change request with Chief. Let's hope it is not to late for the next release.

We recommend the videos to you.

I think, and I just filed this with Chief, that the user should be able to set the back of casing, which in fact is the front of window frame at zero frame inset to either FULL OUT, or a specified number of layers inboard. Input that number when unchecking FULL OUT.

Think about it. Will it work for your type construction? I think so.

Thanks again Gene. I think it will work for my situation. A couple of side notes, how can you specify how thick the exterior trim is (3/4", 1 1/4", etc.) and It seems taht this setting should be available to the corner boards as well.

Hint. If you are using plain boards for trim, not molded sections, just make yourself some "custom moldings," real quick. Just squares at various sizes. 2x2, 1-1/16x1-1/16, 1x1, whatever. All that matters is thickness (width), really.

Stored in your "my moldings" library, you call out the thickness you want as a library casing item for your windows, and give it the height you want in the window casing dialog.

Seems strange, but that is the way window casings work. Your non-library boards can be width-specified, but not for thickness.