The R Channel Extrusion (part number: SWSR) is a companion to the Master Frame Extrusion (part number: SWMF). This ambidextrous, multi-use, extrusion can be installed on either side of the Master Frame Extrusion and used as a mounting flange, starter strip, seam cover, expander, corner, door stop, etc.  The R Channel and Master Frame combination solves many inventory issues and offers substantial adaptability and versatility not offered by other multiple extrusion screening systems.

This page covers the R Channel Extrusion being used as a seam cover (mulling extrusion). Please see the "Installation Suggestions" links at left for use as a Starter Strip or Mounting Flange.

(4 photos below: R Channel installed onto Master Frame Extrusion)

Please Select: R Channel is to be used as...

• ...a vertical seam cover for two adjoining panels.
• ...a horizontal seam cover for two stacked panels.
• ...a vertical seam cover for three adjoining panels.
• ...a vertical seam cover for four or more adjoining panels.
• Notching - Used in all applications

Used as a vertical seam cover for two adjoining panels...

Pay careful attention to your sizing calculations. You must not only size your panels to fit within the opening but you must also account for the space the R channels will require for installation.

To achieve a proper fit and to allow for adequate installation clearance of the R channel, each frame will need the width reduced width by 1/4". This reduction is to take place after you have made all panel sizing calculations. The 1/4" reduction - per frame - will only provide for R channel installation.

   

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Used as a horizontal seam cover for two stacked panels...

Stacked panels are typically panels where 1) the width is far wider than the height, 2) individual panels are stacked on top of each other, and 3) the R channel would be installed in a horizontal orientation. 

Of all of the mounts and panel installation practices, those utilizing a stacking method will be more prone to failure. Stacking should be limited in use and should not be used to stack more than two panels. Stacked panels should never be over 60" in height.

Pay careful attention to your sizing calculations. You must not only size your panels to fit within the opening but you must also account for the space the R channels will require for installation.

To achieve a proper fit  (which needs to be a tight fit) each frame will need to be reduced width by 1/8". This reduction is to take place after you have made all panel sizing calculations. The 1/8" reduction - per frame - will only provide for R channel installation in-between a two panel stack.

Get .pdf version

Used as a vertical seam cover for three adjoining panels...

Pay careful attention to your sizing calculations. You must not only size your panels to fit within the opening but you must also account for the space the R channels will require for installation.

To achieve a proper fit and to allow for adequate installation clearance of the R channels, each frame will need to be reduced. The reduction calculation is 1/4" per R channel.  Note the details included below: Panel 1 has one R channel on the right upright, Panel 2 has one R channel on each upright, and Panel 3 has 1 R channel on the left upright. This totals 4 R channels - at 1/4" per R channel - or a required TOTAL reduction of 1".

This total reduction may be made to 1 panel, 2 panels or to all 3 panels. It is normally desirable to spread the reduction out equally over each panel. However you decide to allocate the reduction it must equal the TOTAL required reduction. For example:

• Panel 1 - 1/4" / Panel 2 - 1/2" / Panel 3 - 1/4"
• Panel 1 - 0" / Panel 2 - 1" / Panel 3 - 0"
• Panel 1 - 1/2" / Panel 2 - 0" / Panel 3 - 1/2"
• etc.

Get .pdf version

Used as a vertical seam cover for four or more adjoining panels...

Pay careful attention to your sizing calculations. You must not only size your panels to fit within the opening but you must also account for the space the R channels will require for installation.

To achieve a proper fit and to allow for adequate installation clearance of the R channels, each frame will need to be reduced. The reduction calculation is 1/4" per R channel. Note the details included below: Panel 1 has one R channel on the right upright, Panel 2 has one R channel on each upright, Panel 3 has one R channel on each upright, and Panel 4 has 1 R channel on the left upright (For the purposes of this explanation, the R channel shown on the right side of Panel 4 - in the detail - is to be disregarded). This totals 6 R channels - at 1/4" per R channel - or a required TOTAL reduction of 1-1/2".

This total reduction may be made to 1 panel, 2 panels, 3 panels or  to all 4 panels. It is normally desirable to spread the reduction out equally over each panel. However you decide to allocate the reduction(s) it must equal the TOTAL required reduction. For example:

• Panel 1 - 1/4" / Panel 2 - 1/2" / Panel 3 - 1/2" /  Panel 4 - 1/4"
• Panel 1 - 1/2" / Panel 2 - 0" / Panel 3 - 1/4" /  Panel 4 - 3/4"
• Panel 1 - 0" / Panel 2 - 1" / Panel 3 - 1/2" /  Panel 4 - 0"
• etc.

Get .pdf version

The ends of each Master Frame Assembly contain 2 screws that the R Channel must fit around for a clean and flat installation.

This is done simply by notching the R Channel with a hacksaw or a power chop saw in one of two fashions.
 

Double Notch: Cut two small notches into the R Channel. Use a hack saw or chop saw and cut the sides of each notch. Use a Channel Lock or other plyer type tool and bend the tab back and forth until it breaks out. Fit R Channel around screw heads.
 

Single Notch: Cut one large notch into the R Channel. Use a hack saw or chop saw and cut the sides of the notch as well as 2 or 3 additional cuts along the length of the notch creating several tabs. Use a Channel Lock or other plyer type tool and bend the tabs back and forth until they are all broken out. Fit R Channel around screw heads.

R Channel Installation screws should be installed no less than 4-1/2" from each end and then every 24" along the entire length of the R channel.  To avoid hitting the Master Frames internal corner support, do not install any screw closer than 4-1/2" of the ends