Insulating A Replacement Window

enforcer

what do most of you guys use to insulate and gaps between the new window and the jamb? "blue can" insulation,fiberglass insulation strips?

JonM

Fiberglass is recommended by Harvey Windows...Foam can interfere with the operation of the windows.

TaitINC

always fiberglass...the foam can cause some major issues!

enforcer

this is exactly why i asked this question. some say fiberglass can be too tight and cause problems. others say to use the non expanding blue can of insulation.

JonM

They make insulation especially for the replacement windows...comes in rolls 4" wide....

enforcer

i actually use that myself. i was just curious what the rest of you guys did. for me,i don't know if i trust foam in a can that claims it does'nt expand.

Grumpy

Some manufacturers are now allowing the use of low rise foam insulation. Dow Greatstuff makes a special formula for use with windows and doors. I personally prefer fiberglass however that too can be put in too tight.

DavidC

We were called out once to investigate some new windows installed by someone else, sold by a big box. One DH took a bodybuilder to operate. There was FG enough packed in around it to insulate all the windows in the house. Pulled it all out, repacked it properly and it worked fine.

We use fiberglass also, but more is not better.

We sold the client all new windows and the big box came and picked up theirs. The client was fully refunded by them.

Good Luck
Dave

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buckeyeso2

i have been using foam for years.Nice tight seal and no problems with too much expansion.( if you you use common sense) Personally, I do not see how fiberglass can be of much value in a 1/8"-1/4" gap.

Patrick

Fiberglass on all four sides. If you ever have to go remove that window you will be glad you did

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Originally Posted by Celtic
Like I said...I'm sure you are very good at what you do ~ whatever that is and where ever it happens.

house bldr

Try the dow white latex foam, it fills the voids nicely won't over expand, and remains very soft{kind of like a marshmellow}so the window can easily be removed if neccesary and any mess wipes right off!

Jake Stevens

We use only fiberglass. I don't know how you can have non expanding foam that will spray out of a can. I has to expand to get out. One mistake that installers make when using fiberglass is to install the screws before they insulate, they should set the window in the hole, use an awl or a nail to hold the window in the hole, push the window to one side and insulate and then the other side and insulate and doing that will almost square the window by it self.

dougchips

We use to use it until we found out that it retains water. It also degrades over time.

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To get the best replacement windows, or sun rooms contact the replacement windows experts at FHI Vinyl Window Company.

dougchips

Not to call you out since everyone here like cheap fiberglass...... Low expanding foam will seal windows better than any fiberglass product. Harvey sells windows to anyone with a pickup truck, why do you think they tell people to use fiberglass? If I hired so guy with a pickup truck to install my windows I would not let him within 100 yards of a can of foam.

On a side note, one $7.00 can of foam for a gun (not the great stuff by the can) will insulate 12-18 properly measured windows. No wind or water will ever pass through the foam. Can fiberglass offer the same protection?

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To get the best replacement windows, or sun rooms contact the replacement windows experts at FHI Vinyl Window Company.

enforcer

Doug,
are you referring to the "blue can" foam they sell in the window dept at lowes or home depot?

house bldr

I think the{blue can} you are referring to is the latex foam, I'm assuming doug is talking about the poly-foam in a can that screws to a seperate gun and has a can of cleaner that has to be sprayed through it when finished.I used that set up for awhile but seemed to have a lot of trouble with it either plugging or the foam can not emptying.But it does provide a very positive seal!

dougchips

No, I order it by the case from a company that makes it. It screws onto a gun and I have never once used any cleaner.

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To get the best replacement windows, or sun rooms contact the replacement windows experts at FHI Vinyl Window Company.

house bldr

So do you just leave the gun screwed to the can till its empty? like a closed system so it doesn't dry out? Maybe thats why we had trouble with it.

dougchips

When the can is out of foam it still has a bunch of pressure so the foam does not cure in the gun. At the end of the gun a little shaft retracts when the trigger is pulled, I think this is what makes it a closed system.

__________________
To get the best replacement windows, or sun rooms contact the replacement windows experts at FHI Vinyl Window Company.

DavidC

We will put nothing under the unit that might impede drainage.

Good Luck
Dave

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