Load-bearing frames in 70s house

[M-gnus]

Hi there. I live in a house built in 1970. A so-called element house, I don't know the manufacturer.

I just replaced the windows and wonder if I made a mistake? The old frames were part of the stud going from the top plate to the sill. They were tightly against the stud at the top and bottom.

Since the windows were openable, I thought there couldn't be any load on them, but upon reflection and after some Googling, I realize that the frame was usually/is load-bearing in such houses. I know there is a horizontal stud (I believe 2”4) up under the top plate but I'm starting to doubt if it's sufficient. Additional insulation and paneling are already done from the outside. Are any measures needed? Can I insert a board from the inside if I remove a bit of fiberboard and cut out 45 mm from the standing studs? Like I've done according to the last picture (but from the outside).

 

[M-gnus]

It should be added that I did not experience any significant pinching by the saw when cutting down the frames.

 

[j.erkers]

Have the same on our house from '62. When we replaced the windows, we let the new frames be load-bearing just like the old ones were. Has worked well for about 20 years.

 

[M-gnus]

Did you install the windows tightly then? Without any space for insulation?

 

[SvanteC]

It should be added that I did not experience the saw pinching significantly when cutting down frames

That the saw pinches is incorrect. It would almost only happen when you have an enormous snow load or similar that specifically burdens that part. @justusandersson can probably explain better.

 

[j.erkers]

Did you install the windows directly then? Without expansion space?

Yes.