Fenestration units with selective exterior/interior installation features and associated systems and methods

A fenestration unit having an interior side and an exterior side and being configured to be installed in a rough opening in a structure, the fenestration unit comprising:

• a frame including a top, a bottom, a first side, and a second side together defining a perimeter of the frame, the frame having a receiver channel extending along the perimeter, the receiver channel being defined by a first lip, a second lip opposing the first lip, and a base over which the first lip and the second lip extend, the first lip and the second lip defining a gap between the first lip and the second lip, and a first undercut between the first lip and the base and a second undercut between the second lip and the base;
• and
• an installation fin including a pedestal portion configured to be coupled to the frame, a projecting portion, and a hinge portion coupling the projecting portion to the coupling portion, the pedestal portion having a cam insert receivable in both of the first undercut and the second undercut, a clip insert receivable in both of the first undercut and the second undercut, and a retention catch, and the projecting portion having a body and a retention protrusion;
• wherein the installation fin is reversibly couplable to the frame in a first configuration and a second configuration, in the first configuration the cam insert being received in the first undercut, the clip insert being received in the second undercut, the projecting portion being movable, via the hinge portion, relative to the frame from a first prone position to a first upright position, in the first prone position the projecting portion extending toward the interior side, and in the first upright position the projecting portion extending outwardly from the perimeter and the retention protrusion being received in the retention catch to secure the projecting portion, in the second configuration the cam insert being received in the second undercut, the clip insert being received in the first undercut, the projecting portion being movable, via the hinge portion, relative to the frame from a second prone position to a second upright position, and in the second prone position the projecting portion extending toward the exterior side, and in the second upright position the projecting portion extending outwardly from the perimeter and the retention protrusion being received in the retention catch to secure the projecting portion.

A method of installing a fenestration unit in a rough opening in a structure defined by rough opening framing, the fenestration unit including an interior side, an exterior side, a frame having a top, a bottom, a first side, and a second side together defining a perimeter of the frame, the frame having a receiver channel extending along the perimeter, the receiver channel being defined by a first lip, a second lip opposing the first lip, and a base over which the first and second lips extend, the first and second lips defining a gap between the first and second lips, and a first undercut between the first lip and the base and a second undercut between the second lip and the base, and an installation fin including a pedestal portion, a projecting portion, and a flexible hinge between the pedestal portion and the projecting portion, the pedestal portion having a cam insert, a clip insert, and a retention catch, and the projecting portion having a body and a retention protrusion, the method comprising:

• receiving the fenestration unit with the installation fin coupled to the frame in one of a first configuration and a second configuration, in the first configuration the cam insert being received in the first undercut, the clip insert being received in the second undercut, the projecting portion being movable, via the flexible hinge, relative to the frame from a first prone position to a first upright position, in the first prone position the projecting portion extending toward the interior side, and in the first upright position the projecting portion extending outwardly from the perimeter and the retention protrusion being received in the retention catch to secure the projecting portion, in the second configuration the cam insert being received in the second undercut, the clip insert being received in the first undercut, the projecting portion being movable, via the flexible hinge, relative to the frame from a second prone position to a second upright position, and in the second prone position the projecting portion extending toward the exterior side, and in the second upright position the projecting portion extending outwardly from the perimeter and the retention protrusion being received in the retention catch to secure the projecting portion;
• detaching the installation fin from the frame;
• coupling the installation fin to the frame in the other of the first configuration and the second configuration and positioning the installation fin in the first upright position or the second upright position, respectively;
• seating the fenestration unit in the rough opening by together translating the frame and the installation fin toward the rough opening;
• and
• securing the fenestration unit to the rough opening framing.