[DIYinVA]

Hi folks-

I’m replacing some rotted plywood cladding around a window. The rest of the house is brick, so I’m going to replace this small section of plywood paneling with PVC. I’ve torn out most of the plywood and am trying to decide whether the RMax insulation beneath it needs to go, too. It’s discolored along the bottom edge, which has me thinking I may at least need to zap it with some mold/mildew retardant before I put the PVC up. I’ve attached some before and after pics (to include a close up of the discolored area of the insulation) to give you a sense of what I’m working with. With that in mind, two(ish) questions:

1) Would you replace the insulation? With what?

2) Would you recommend putting tar paper or some other weather barrier in between the insulation and the PVC?

Thanks in advance for the advice!

 

[Windows on Wash]

Whats above that? Seems well protected such that it wouldn't get in at the top of that window.

Section of PVC trim (Azek, etc.) would work great here. I would love to see some counter flashing over that brick and behind that sheathing as well.

 

[Windows on Wash]

And some drip cap/head flashing as well.

 

[Old Thomas]

Is that a door opening with a window installed?
I would replace it with Dow board.

 

[DIYinVA]

Thanks for the recommendations! There is aluminum siding above this window, and it seems to work reasonably well, as we’ve not had any issues with interior water intrusion. I’m not sure whether the opening was originally intended for a door or not, although there is a door just next to the windows. Adding flashing is a good idea, and I’m a little surprised to find that there was none installed originally. For the flashing at the base of the wall, how far would you run it over that brick sill? Would you recommend totally covering the sill? Or just let it protrude a bit beyond the edge of the PVC paneling? Thanks again for the advice!

 

[Windows on Wash]

Few inches to that it is outside the sill to wall interface is fine and the more important thing to do is to create some positive pitch away from the home with the flashing. Get it so that the water will run away from the house and not just sit on the sill.