Windows and doors are an integral attribute of any building. But installing windows and doors in wooden houses differs significantly from the same procedure in brick or stone buildings. Openings for doors and windows significantly weaken the solid wooden structure of the house.
Therefore, in order to strengthen the walls and protect window and door blocks from the destructive effects of shrinkage processes, in wooden house a pigtail (casing) is made.
In fact, a frame in a house made of timber is nothing more than a durable wooden structure in the form of a box installed directly in a door or window opening. In addition to its main functions, the jamb is designed to reduce the thermal conductivity of the areas where window and door units adjoin the wall openings, which increases the energy efficiency of the room.
In addition, correctly assembled and installed casing makes the facade of the house look more complete and attractive.
The casing is traditionally assembled from 3 components:
- sidewalls;
- top;
- threshold or window sill board.
The following types of frames for doors in a timber house can be distinguished:
- Pigtail in the embedded block
- T-shaped pigtail
- U-shaped pigtail
- Finishing casing
- Rough casing
- Pit from an array
- Glued pigtail
Making a pigtail
There are a few in various ways making a pigtail:
- "Into the embedded block". Due to the relative cheapness and speed of production, the most popular is the socket in the embedded block.
- "The Thorn Monolith".
- “Into the deck” is another most common technology. The popularity of the method is explained by its simplicity and low cost of implementation.
- “Into a spike with a ready-made slope”
Such a pigtail is rarely made by hand, as it is a complex prefabricated structure.
Which method should I choose for making my own? Watch the video in this article about this.
Tools
To make your own pigtail you will need the following tools:
- chainsaw;
- a circular saw;
- jigsaw;
- drill and screwdriver;
- grinder;
- tape measure, square and pencil.
Once all the tools are ready, you can start working. There are two main types of pigtails: for wood and for plastic windows ny blocks. What will suit your home?
Manufacturing of casing for wooden window blocks
The casing for wooden windows is the easiest to manufacture. When starting its production, we grind grooves in the logs that are adjacent to the opening. Actually, these grooves will hold the window frame together with the window frame.
We grind the grooves so that the bars that will form the prefabricated structure are sunk into them. The instructions indicate that rectangular bars 50 mm thick are used to make the pigtail; the groove must be similar in size.
At the next stage, side bars are placed in the side grooves. In the same way, a seal is placed under the bottom bar and under the side parts. Lastly, the top beam is installed.
The groove into which the top beam is inserted should be slightly deeper than the bottom and side grooves. The resulting gap, as in the photo below, will serve as a compensation space if the walls are deformed during the shrinkage process.
Important!
In some cases, polyurethane foam is used as a sealant instead of jute and flax.
This is unacceptable, since when drying, the foam prevents the natural shrinkage of the logs.
What is the pigtail made of?
- To make the pigtail, it is advisable to use high-quality dry wood that does not deform during subsequent use. It’s not scary if the wood used has knots, especially since its price is cheaper.
- Upon completion of the assembly, the entire structure can be varnished and thus an aesthetic combination of the wooden wall of the house and the window block will be achieved. (see also article)
- The pigtail is made from predominantly hardwood that is not prone to cracking. This is necessary so that the pigtail can withstand shrinkage that exceeds the shrinkage gaps, for example, during extreme drying of the house.
- The finished casing will last for a long time if it is protected from negative impact environmental factors. To do this, the wooden structure is coated with a protective layer of varnish or paint intended for outdoor use.
- In most cases, the pigtail is on the outside wooden house covered with platbands. However, provided that the entire structure is assembled correctly, you can do without platbands.
Manufacturing technology of casing for plastic window blocks
At the first stage, preliminary preparation of the window opening is carried out. We prepare the opening so that it is on average 15 cm larger than the window frame. The gap between the frame and the opening is necessary to install the frame itself and to compensate for possible shrinkage of the structure.
A ridge is cut out at the end of the prepared opening, which will serve as the basis for a window carriage with a pre-prepared groove. As a result, the process of shrinking the logs will take place inside the carriage along the groove. That is, subsidence will not create pressure on the window unit.
To make the carriage, 100×150 mm timber is used. In this beam, a groove is made in the middle into which the ridge should fit. As a result, the size of the carriage should be 5 cm larger than the window block.
The depth and width of the ridge should be 5 cm. The ridge is made precisely according to the level using a chainsaw.
The upper element of the casing is manufactured with section dimensions of 40×150 mm. On both sides of the board we cut out grooves into which the ridge will fit. After this, the top board (top) is installed on the ridges of the window opening. After the side carriages are installed, we fix the top with self-tapping screws.
September 18, 2016Specialization: master of interior and exterior finishing (plaster, putty, tiles, drywall, lining, laminate, etc.). In addition, plumbing, heating, electrical, conventional cladding and balcony extensions. That is, renovations in an apartment or house were done on a turnkey basis with all necessary types works
Any wooden building is subject to shrinkage, and this is an inevitable phenomenon that is noticeable even to the naked eye. However, window frames in a wooden house will protect them from deformation.
Window casing
The casing is often colloquially called a socket, and the instructions consider it as required element in the construction of wooden buildings. This is a wooden box for protecting and decorating window structures.
There are three main types of casing that you can make with your own hands, and they all differ in manufacturing technology.
Option 1. Embedding block
Such a frame of window openings in a wooden house is most attractive for budget construction, as it has the lowest cost. The structure is constructed using edged boards, and in order for everything to go as it should:
- on inside a groove is cut out of the opening;
- a block with a square cross-section is laid here;
- and the finishing board is already fixed to it.
This option is convenient because installation is very quick, but at the same time, there is a need to finish the slopes after installing the window.
Option 2. Casing “in a spike”
It has a higher cost than the embedded bar, but along with the price, the quality also increases. This method is usually used when constructing buildings from profiled timber or rounded logs.
The structure is made of a solid block, which has a rectangular cross-section in the shape of the letter “T”:
- the vertical part of the block or leg from the “T” is inserted into the groove;
- and the horizontal crossbar here serves as a window slope, so it is very convenient.
Option 3. Casing “into the deck”
This method is that:
- a spike is cut out in the side of the window opening;
- a pre-prepared deck is put on it, which is cut out in the shape of the letter “P”, that is, we have a tongue-and-groove type lock.
This is the most expensive of the three main types, but it is considered the most reliable.
Wooden window
Casing “in the deck” on a wooden window
If you are building a house from laminated veneer lumber or rounded logs, then in any case this will require large financial investments, since, in principle, there is nothing to save here. Except for builders, which means doing it yourself.
But, be that as it may, making a frame for a wooden window is a process where the owner can independently apply his skills. In the case of marriage, the situation will be fixable.
Pit "in the deck" and "in the thorn"
To make a simple casing in a wooden house, you will need:
- cut grooves in logs or beams that are adjacent to the opening;
- then prepare a block with a very smooth surface (the smoother the better);
- insert it into the machined grooves;
- First, the bottom crossbar is fixed, as it prevents possible movement of the sidewalls;
- only then all the rest, and the inserted block will represent one of the sides of the pigtail;
Before making a bookmark, it is necessary to lay inter-crown insulation. Linen materials - fiber or jute - are excellent for this purpose. - after the bottom crossbar is installed, it is the turn of the vertical elements, under which (in the groove) a draft-preventing element must also be placed;
- only after assembling the letter “P” turned upside down is the upper crossbar, closing the perimeter, installed;
- however, it is necessary to leave a shrinkage gap above it, and the insulation is driven there after assembly, that is, it compacts as it shrinks.
At this stage, the assembly of the casing is completed and you can begin installing the window, which will already be protected from shrinkage.
Plastic window
If you want to install plastic windows, then when making a frame you will have to face some differences from a similar arrangement for a wooden one. When you prepare the opening, you should consider that:
- it should be 14 cm larger than the window frame;
- when the gap is calculated, you will need to take into account the parameters of the seams and the casing itself, and, of course, the percentage of shrinkage of the constructed building.
So, the process itself:
- for the base of the carriage with a groove, a comb is cut out from the end of the opening - when the shrinkage process occurs, the logs or beams will fall along this groove inside the carriage. This way you can avoid vertical pressure during shrinkage;
- to make a carriage, you should use a 100x150 mm beam, in which a groove is cut in the middle (the ridge is put on it);
- the width and depth of the ridge made should be 5 cm each, but the size of the carriage should be 5 cm larger than the size of the horse;
All markings should be done using a building level, and cutting is best done with a chainsaw - proven by experience!
- the upper horizontal crossbar of the pigtail is made from a 40×150 mm board, where grooves need to be cut on each side for laying the ridge;
- after that it is put on the combs;
- when the carriages are already installed on the sides, be sure to secure the top crossbar with self-tapping screws;
- After installation, you will need to be sure to caulk all gaps with flax fiber or jute.
Features of the pigtail
It should be said that installing windows in a wooden house with frames has some features. For example, those elements from which a wooden box is made should not exceed 26 cm in width, as cracks will form.
The humidity requirements here are also quite strict - it should not exceed 10-13%, otherwise the wood will develop internal cracks.
To make a pigtail for a plastic or metal frame, special precision is required. Here the pressure will be several times greater, and that is why the casing has a more complicated design, where there is a ridge, a carriage and grooves.
When installing such a structure, you should be especially careful. The fact is that if a self-tapping screw gets into the ridge, the structure becomes rigid, and therefore loses its purpose for protecting against shrinkage.
Conclusion
In addition to the above, I would also like to warn against using polyurethane foam as a sealant instead of jute or fiber. When hardened, the foam firmly fixes the assembly, preventing it from shrinking naturally, because of which the installation of the pigtail loses its meaning.
I suggest discussing this topic in the comments, and don’t hesitate to make your suggestions!
Based on the results of reading all the topics about the casing (casing) on this network resource, I collected my observations into a kind of FAQ (maybe it will be useful for someone, so as not to waste extra time):
Why is a pigtail needed?
1. The frame holds the side walls of the frame in the opening from lateral displacement due to the tenon along the entire length of the sidewall.
2. The frame allows the frame to move vertically relative to the window opening during shrinkage during the initial shrinkage of the frame (which almost completely ends after 10 years); Also, during the life of a log house, the tree is subject to minor expansions. If a window (door) is firmly glued onto the foam into an opening in a log house, at best it will tear off the foam/and most likely break the window.
For the same purpose, a shrinkage gap is left above the top. For a one-story house 6-7 cm, for a two-story house they recommend 10 cm. (I did 5 cm for myself, because the log house has stood for a year and will be caulked, which will raise it a little)
What types of pigtails are there?
Finish – when all elements are planed/sanded and remain visible, that is, not covered by finishing. This type of window frame is installed in houses made of polished timber/round timber.
Roughing - when the entire opening is then covered with finishing. Accordingly, there is no need to plan/sand the casing material.
What types of pigtail designs are there?
The pigtail will have sidewalls for any design. (At the same time, there are difficult options for combined (located side by side) windows/doors, in which it is advisable to make adjacent sidewalls on a sliding block)
There are options:
With the top and the bottom;
With apex, the sides are cut into the bottom log;
And sometimes the sidewalls are cut into both the lower and upper logs - but I haven’t seen such designs here on the forum (in my opinion, this is not a very good option).
What is a quarter and its dimensions?
A quarter is a recess (reverse quarter) or protrusion (straight quarter) on the frame of the frame, which overlaps the window frame by 1 cm.
Reverse quarter - the window is inserted from the outside, the width of the opening is the width of the window frame, the depth is 3 cm (1 cm for the ceiling, 2 cm for foaming the window).
Straight quarter - the window is inserted from the inside of the house and rests against a 3 cm side. Moreover, the side can be cut out of solid wood (which is a chore with a wide frame frame), glued or nailed.
The opinion of window installers is that a quarter is not needed in principle for rough casing.
Opinion from the forum - a quarter is needed, because the foam can move away from the wood and the window will be blown out.
What material is the pigtail made of?
There is a P-pipe and T-pipe option. For finishing casing, the P-option is more popular, since the casing is thicker/more solid. There is an opinion that the T-variant is more convenient to caulk
Sidewalls are made: from solid wood; the board is screwed/glued to the embedded block (in the case of a T-frame) or two bars are screwed to the board (P-frame); There are glued, factory-made options (see Shuvoe).
The massif is usually taken 100 or 150 mm thick, the prefabricated version is a 50 mm board. Width – according to the thickness of the wall.
The general recommendation is that the material should be dried (up to six months of storage in the summer; sawn pieces dry faster). For obvious reasons, the presence of cracks is undesirable for finishing casing. There are different opinions on how to dry the material.
Many people make nizhnik from larch, because it rots first.
Everywhere jute or tow is laid in the grooves; in this forum it is more recommended to put jute in the groove above the top. There are options for laying mines on the Internet. cotton wool, it must be covered with steam/hydro insulation on both sides.
Installation features.
In a log house, the lower part is installed on sawn half-logs.
Treat casing elements and opening with antiseptic.
Some people make a wind spike under the lower part (see pictures from Shuvoe). But there are opinions that it is unnecessary and even harmful, because it causes unnecessary accumulation of moisture vapor under the bottom.
Locks must be made at the corners of the casing that are “not pierced by a spoke,” that is, they prevent the through passage of air through the entire thickness of the casing.
They make both very sophisticated locks and very simple tenon/groove locks. There are opinions that there is not much point in complex locks, since a single tenon/groove “cannot be pierced by a knitting needle.”
A simple tenon/groove for the tops can be made with a reduced tenon on one side (from the inside), so that when installing the top you do not have to lift it to its full thickness above the sidewalls (it should be clear in the pictures below; this is relevant, for example, if the top is 100 mm thick mm, and the shrinkage gap is planned to be only 50 mm).
How much insulation and groove/tenon width
To do or not to do a quarter
Album wyat-80 with examples
Should I order casing or do it myself?
Purely in my case - most of the teams that I found not very far from my construction site have a simple and quick approach: simpler locks or no need at all, why saw an array when it’s faster to screw a board to a block with screws, why use a lower one - we never do it and so everything costs, etc. If you make it to my requirements, the price tag doubles.
In general, I decided to do it myself. Moreover, all the basic tools for casing are there: chainsaw, parquet, hacksaws, chisels. There is no milling cutter, but I don’t need one.
Yes, it’s very convenient to make drawings for a pigtail in SketchUp from Google. After watching a couple of lessons on the internet, you can master the program in half an hour or an hour, at least enough skills to draw a pigtail.
And a couple of observations:
When choosing a casing design for self-production, think about how it is more convenient for you to work in terms of the sequence of operations: sawing a tenon with a parquet for T or making a cut P with a parquet/chisel/milling cutter, sawing/hollowing locks, etc. And some even use only a chainsaw operate;
It is advisable to have blanks for casing made of solid wood that are even and have the correct geometric shape, otherwise accuracy will suffer when cutting grooves/tenons
P.S. Don’t criticize me too much for the text, I was able to spend exactly as much time as I had; This is the first time in my life I’ve come across the topic of bugs, thanks to this forum - I decided to redo for the builders what they “messed up”.
#863 IPaltus, 10/14/15Today, houses made of natural timber and logs are no longer a rarity, as everything natural is coming back into fashion. Even entire villages of this type appeared. In addition to wooden houses, bathhouses and other small buildings are also built. Such a great demand in the presence of modern innovative materials can be explained simply - such houses are environmentally friendly, it is easy to breathe in them, and appearance always pleasantly surprises with its colorfulness and overall beauty.
They are built from different types of wood. Now we do not mean the rock, but its technological processing. For example, if a person is trying to save money, he will purchase material with natural moisture and try to dry it outside. The process of such drying can take a very long time, and if the tree is located in the open air, where it is constantly exposed to precipitation and atmospheric humidity, then it will take even longer. Some people think that they will protect the tree from rain by covering it with waterproof material. This should never be done, since the moisture from the material will not be able to evaporate, and it will soon freeze. It will take a lot of effort and time to bring it back to normal, so it’s better to use technology.
Those who do not have financial problems buy factory-made logs and beams. Such a tree has already gone through all stages of technological processing. It is completely ready for installation straight from the store. It is dried in special ovens at certain temperatures, thanks to which it is possible to achieve high quality. The material is all sorted, so working with it will be a pleasure. It has precise geometry, it will not dry out and will give minimal shrinkage.
So, as you understand, the wetter the material you use, the more deformation it will experience later. Windows and doors, or rather the openings in which they are installed, will suffer more than other structural elements. Changing the geometry leads to the functionality of these elements being disrupted. The frames warp along with the walls, which is why the windows simply stop opening normally, drafts, creaks and other troubles appear.
Video - Do-it-yourself pigtail. Part 1
Video - Do-it-yourself pigtail. Part 2
Denis Gromovsky
In March we ordered a frame for windows and doorways. The quality of work and material is excellent. I also really liked the Company’s professional approach when working with a client: a competent and complete contract, everything is drawn up with drawings, technical details. tasks, subsequent monitoring of completed work is carried out. Everything is constructive and to the point. The future belongs to such companies. The times of petty scheming will pass, keep up the good work. Thanks a lot. Success and prosperity to you.
Gromovsky Denis.
Yaroslavl region, Yaroslavl district, Alekseevskoe.
Goltsman Elena Yurievna
Our family is very pleased with the work of the Shuvoe company. We carried out a complete caulking of our log house, manufacturing and installation of frames for eight windows and a door, and installation of windows.
All construction work was distinguished by accuracy of completion on time, sensitivity and understanding of our desires, and high quality of execution.
The workers were neat and disciplined, pleasant to talk to.
The prices are quite reasonable.
Thank you very much!
Frolov family
We would like to express our deep gratitude to the Shuvoe company for manufacturing and installing the window frame in our wooden house.
Despite the fear and doubts when selecting direct performers (we already had a not very successful experience), we realized that we were not mistaken in our choice.
We were pleasantly surprised by the high qualifications, efficiency and friendliness of the staff. The company’s specialists successfully completed all tasks, confirming their high professional level. We would especially like to note and thank the team of installers Sergei Shuvalov for their high degree of professionalism and for their well-coordinated work. And the competence, interest, and responsiveness of surveyor Eduard Simonov. And also Dmitry Alekseevich Sachkov for his help in resolving our problems.
During our cooperation, the company has proven itself to be a reliable and responsible partner. Everything was done on top level and on time!
Shuvoe, thank you so much for your wonderful work!
We wish you successful development and hope for further mutually beneficial cooperation.
Sincerely, Frolov family
Andrey Urusov
We are satisfied with the work.
All windows and doors function normally.
The plastic balcony door had to be slightly adjusted in height.
The work was carried out in winter, which caused me some concerns, but everything went well.
This summer I will contact you to install a window in the attic.
Sergey Podkopaev
I liked the design and workmanship of the pigtail. When ordering the pigtail, it was not indicated that you had to order windshields as a separate item; I thought that they were one piece with the windshield.
The products were delivered within the agreed time frame. It’s very good that all the beams were numbered. Your builders quickly cut out the openings, gave time for etching of the openings, and installed the frame. There were no jambs.
Overall, I received a pleasant impression from the work of your company and want to continue cooperation next year.
I would like to receive more detailed advice through an online consultant on your company’s website. Calling is not always convenient.
Best regards, Sergei.
Nikolay Sergeevich Redkin
All work was carried out efficiently and on time. Operational work of managers and
direct executors are encouraged to further cooperate with
Shuvoe company.
Sincerely,
Redkin Nikolay Sergeevich
village Panino
Alexander Zhigalov
I would like to thank the Shuvoe company for the work they did with all their hearts in 2017 in the village of Matveevo, Dmitrovsky district, Moscow region. The frame work, installation of windows and trim were done professionally and on time. We will recommend the company to our friends and acquaintances. I would like to wish success to the company team.
Sincerely, Alexander Zhigalov
Chirkov A.A.
Clear, professional, fast! Thank you! Let's continue working!
V.V. Starichenkov
Ladies and Gentlemen!
In April of this year, your company carried out work on the sill in my new timber house (Ryazan region). Overall satisfied with the work. It is clear that the company has a clear procedure for planning and monitoring work.
The only disadvantage I can mention is the high estimated price. In addition to the joint, my plans were to carry out all the finishing work in a 2-story house on a turnkey basis. There were hopes for your company. However, in the end, I had to adjust my plans towards attracting other companies.
These are the realities.
Alexander Krutskikh
Hello. Your company ordered a frame for four windows in a wooden frame. The work of measuring, manufacturing and installing the casing of window openings was completed within the agreed time frame. I am satisfied with the quality of the material and the work. You can rely on your company.
For anyone who has a question about choosing a pigtail installation, I advise Shuvoy.
Sincerely, Alexander, Domodedovo, Pavlovskoye
Marat Garayev
I would like to thank the Shuvoe company for the excellent work done in April 2017 in the village of Noviki, Serpukhov district, Moscow region. I would like to note the careful work of the builders Alexander and Alexey. They know their work well and professionally. In a log house on 2 floors, a lot of work was done to install frames, windows and trim. Many thanks to the head of the installation team, Sergei Molodkin, and Maxim Fedin for their good, conscientious work.
I would like to wish the entire Shuvoe team well-being, prosperity and success.
Best regards, Marat!
Maxim Mansurov
The company completed the following work in the Podolsk region, SNT-Yasenki: installation of casing in country house from rounded logs, installation of plastic windows, trim and metal doors.
All work was completed by the same craftsmen completely, efficiently and on time. The guys work at 5+. At the end of the work, the controller comes and checks everything again. I recommend it to everyone, the price is great.
Alexey Tretyakov
Thank you for the quality work, I really liked everything. The calculations were made quickly and accurately. Special thanks to the installation team. I will recommend your company to my friends and acquaintances. I hope to use your company in the future.
Leonid Khorev
Thanks to the employees of the Shuvoe company for the wonderful job they did in framing the openings and installing the windows. All preliminary questions regarding the order were resolved by telephone and e-mail with Dmitry Sachkov and Eduard.
The crew and material arrived to me at the agreed time. The team is experienced, smart guys, Slavs. We discussed the intricacies of the work with the foreman, and the guys buzzed with two chainsaws like a pair of bumblebees. In the afternoon, Sergei, a quality engineer, arrived, checked how the work was done, and took photographs of everything. We shook hands.
I am satisfied with the work performed in terms of the quality of workmanship and the quality of installation. The cost, of course, could have been lower, but on the other hand, I received what I ordered clearly, on time, and this does not always happen.
Best regards, Leonid Khorev.
Galina Shatunova
Dear employees of the Shuvoe company. First of all, we want to congratulate you on the new year 2017! We wish you a new year good health, many good clients and all the best!
In November 2016, in SNT Lamonovo, your team, under the leadership of foreman Ivan, completed the work of piping, installing windows and arches in our house.
I would like to note the high professionalism, coordinated and quality work brigades. Nowadays it is very difficult to find really good professionals who know and love their job.
All members of the team worked harmoniously, everyone knew what to do, each operation was clearly assigned to a specific member of the team, everything was taken into account!
Thank you very much for your work, attitude, and understanding of our problems. I look forward to further cooperation with you. I will definitely recommend your company to all my friends, acquaintances and neighbors.
Sincerely, Galina Shatunova from Lamonov.
