B - Quad-Lock Building Systems

Figure 68: Window Attachment Options
PRODUCT MANUAL
Building Tip: Pre-assemble all door and window bucks for the job. Pull cross dimensions to insure that the buck is
square and nail a brace on to hold it in square. Nail two pieces of scrap lumber across the sill to hold the
buck in position when you set it in the wall. Number the bucks and have them available for placement in
the wall when the proper wall height is reached.
Method 2: External Wood Bucks
Window and door bucks that span the wall width (called external bucks) are no longer recommended by Quad-Lock.
This style of buck is (wood) material intensive, and creates a thermal bridge that compromises the integrity of the thermal
envelope. Contact the Quad-Lock Training and Technical Services Dept. for ideas on how to treat window and door
openings.
GREEN BUILDING TIP: Use window buck lumber to form footings, using Fab-Form footing fabric to minimize
jobsite waste, and gain points for recycled materials. Re-use footing forms as window/door buck-out material.
Method 3: Permanent Plastic Frames
Many builders use specially designed plastic frame material that is
fashioned into full wall width frames which both form the concrete and
serve as an attachment point for windows and doors. In this case, the
EPS panels must be cut precisely to size and the plastic frames are fit
over the panel edges, and fastened into place with spray foam adhesive.
Some systems have ‘tie-backs” which reach back into the wall cavity and
are secured to form ties to help resist concrete pressure during the pour,
and keep the frame in place. Care must be taken that the inside of the
frames are adequately braced to resist bowing during the concrete pour.
Always check for Plumb, Square, and Level.
Method 4: Fully Insulated Openings
In areas of extreme cold, it may be desirable to fully wrap the window or door opening with EPS panel material in order to
minimize thermal bridging at window and door locations. In this case, the Quad-Lock Window Bracket is used in pairs at
each level to secure short pieces of panel material into place at each level during assembly. Tie flanges are placed into
the metal brackets on the inside of the window opening to provide points of attachment every 12" [305mm]. While the
Window Brackets are quite sturdy, it is advisable to use a wood brace around the entire interior face of the opening to
assure dimensional stability.
At the header, a full-width wood form is used to support the concrete. Scrap foam is laid on the wood form inside the wall
cavity to provide the thermal break. At the bottom use Quad-Lock Wire Top Ties and Metal Track instead of wood. This
leaves the sill 100% open for concrete pouring and consolidation and provides for rebar placement. Once the sill
consolidates fill in with excess foam panels and fasten with sprayfoam to existing concrete and Quad-Lock Panels.
See Figure 67 for details.
Page 64 Chapter 2 – Design & Construction Details July 2009