Due to the in person restrictions imposed from the COVID-19 pandemic, communications have gone a virtual route. As a building scientist, I engage in multiple discussions with design professionals, general contractors and installing contractors online. A large percentage of these conversations revolve around rough opening sequences, materials, best practices and installation guidelines.
To begin we must define the term “rough opening.” A rough opening is a penetration in the building enclosure fitted with fenestrations that leak, or will leak at some point of the service life of the building. Fenestrations are commonly referred to as doors and windows. It is critical to properly direct those leaks out of the enclosure.