How to Bend Metal Flashing for Window Trimming

If you're tired of painting the window frames year after year and replacing rotted sills, then you need to consider metal flashing for the window trim. You can do the entire job in a jiffy if you have a bender, aluminum coil stock, a straight edge and a good cutting knife. When you bend metal flashing for window trim, the most important part of the procedure is the correct measurements.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Aluminum coil stock
• Pencil
• Paper
• Measuring tool or tape
• T or L square
• Metal bender

1. Measure the area that you need to cover. Measure first the length and write the number down. Then measure the width of each side of the wood frame. There are three measurements for this. The first is the face of the wood. You also need to measure the two sides so the metal can wrap around the board.

2. Mark the width measurements on the back of the aluminum stock that you cut to length. Mark the measurements on both the top and bottom of the aluminum stock. Use these marks when you bend the metal flashing. Score the flashing to size and break it off.

3. Push the metal into the bender with the right side, the side that will show, face down, so only the first mark shows and line it up with the edge.

4. Clamp the top arm down. On some benders, there's a slide to hold it into place, while you'll push an arm at the top to lock others into place.

5. Lift the bottom arm up to a 90-degree angle. The sheet metal bends as you lift. Drop the arm back down and inspect the bend.

6. Loosen the metal by releasing the top arm and pull it to the second mark on the aluminum coil. Proceed the same way as you did for the first bend. This is a time saver when you bend metal flashing for windows. The alternative is to remove the entire piece and turn it around.

7. Remove the aluminum from the bender. Fit the metal to the frame and tack down if it fits properly.

[copy-cat-tools]

on 10/29/2009 Make life easier and get a Coil Buddy™ This is a inexpensive coil dispenser that allows you to feed the coil directly into the jawas of your break, cut to size and bend without ever removing the stock from the break. check it out at www.copycattools.com

[projectmgr]

on 8/13/2008 If you have an aluminum bender or "brake" and a coil of aluminum, you are probably a contractor already. These brakes are very expensive to buy and very rarely can you rent one. Get some quotes from contractors who specialize in installation of siding, soffits, fascia and eavestroughing and hire a pro.