Install Types & Frame Profiles
Equal Leg vs Unequal Leg Frames
Equal Leg and Unequal Leg are both finless, block-frame profiles — the window has a side wall (a "leg") on each face instead of a nail-fin. On an Equal Leg the legs are the same depth on both faces, so the frame centers in the masonry opening. On an Unequal Leg the exterior leg is deeper, so it laps over the block or stucco face for a cleaner exterior line and a built-in caulk edge. Both are set on block/masonry and anchor THROUGH the frame with Tapcons (through-frame anchors) — the per-screw line item Anchor adds on every Equal Leg and Unequal Leg job, along with shims.
- Install types in Anchor: Equal Leg, Unequal Leg (both finless block frame)
- Anchoring: through-frame anchors (Tapcons) driven through the frame into block
- Equal Leg: same leg depth both faces — frame centers in the opening
- Unequal Leg: deeper exterior leg laps the block/stucco face
- Auto-added line items: through-frame anchors + shims (every Equal/Unequal Leg job)
- Finished hole still = window + 1/2" shim space (e.g. 36x60 → 36.5x60.5)
- Both profiles are finless — there is no nail-fin to screw to a stud, so they live on block/masonry openings, not in a stick-framed wall.
- Because the anchor passes through the frame and into the block, the crew sets the unit, shims it plumb and square, then drives Tapcons through the jambs/head/sill — that is why Anchor bills these per screw, not per fin.
- Equal Leg sits centered in the opening, so it reads the same inside and out and gives you symmetric reveals — handy when both faces are finished/visible.
- Unequal Leg's deep exterior leg overlaps the block or stucco, hiding the rough edge of the opening and giving a natural surface to caulk against on the outside.
Pros
- Both: finless, so no fin to bend, break, or hide behind stucco — clean look on masonry
- Both: through-frame Tapcons give a strong, direct anchor into block (great for Florida wind loads)
- Equal Leg: symmetric reveals, looks identical inside and out
- Unequal Leg: deep exterior leg laps the face — hides the opening edge and gives a built-in caulk line
- Both: serviceable — anchors are reachable through the frame for inspection or replacement
Watch-outs
- Both: anchors penetrate the frame, so every through-frame screw is a potential leak point that must be sealed
- Both: only suited to block/masonry — not for a stick-framed wall (use a nail-fin there)
- Equal Leg: no exterior lap, so the outside caulk joint does all the weather sealing
- Unequal Leg: the deeper exterior leg must be sized to the block/stucco thickness or it won't lap cleanly
- Both: more shimming and care to set plumb/square than a fin unit that self-locates against the sheathing