I pointed out that we had nailed the chintzy plastic fins exactly to manufacturers  specs and installed them plumb level and square and it was his own employees who ignored the written instructions that were still visible on the window. I would love the insulators. Rez, that situation was done to some Anderson windows that we had set. Pestblock has a non-toxic bitterant in the foam so the rats don't like to chew through it. Done right, foam is the best way to go. We’re already feeling the pinch. So he went out and bought an iPad so he could take pictures that she could see. - M.K. Paint or coat foam for best results. Asked by: Anonymous Purchasing the Great Stuff (TM) Pro over the consumer Great Stuff (TM) may be appealing because the simplicity of foam application with PRO Series foam dispensing guns (PRO 13, PRO 14 and PRO 15). long story short by the end of the day 7 of 22 windows needed replacement. The install instructions on all the new windows I’ve just installed (vinyl) say not to insulate around the windows with expanding foam. Why would you buy the pro can vs the regular can?? I forgot the name of the one they used, but I do know it's the least toxic one- I think it's latex. how hard is this foam you're seeing out there?.. When I go to turn on the flood lights out back at night to let the dogs out I feel a cool draft. He knew the proper way to install a window and instructions were for idiots... all you had to do was ask him. Shop GREAT STUFF SMART DISPENSER Big Gap Filler 12-oz Spray Foam Insulation in the Spray Foam Insulation department at Lowe's.com. One more tip though, if you take off the casings make sure to score the intersection between the casing and wall. Required fields are marked *. Hopefully I won’t need that shrimp prank but I gotta admit it’s a good one. I asked him if perhaps he might consider calling the insulator (his employee) and the mason back and discuss the installation techniques with them instead of me. Although he’d also add two more paragraphs on denatonium benzoate’s cool factor. The liability department writes this stuff, because too many careless foam applications have resulted in warranty claims on vinyl windows. Denatonium benzoate is used to discourage the consumption of poisonous things like antifreeze, denatured alcohol, and acetone. Here in Southern CA is a code requirement. I had a helper lift up timbers and such to me and had directed him to cut panels away in order to get the timbers in place.. these where heavy tamarack timbers and eventually they got too long and awkward for me to handle them by myself. i suppose it's possible... must be some cheap windows or some poor installation. Besides, the stuff is pretty soft. $14.12. When my new roof went up, I sat in a lawn chair across the street and watched. That idea makes sense to me and would help with the rim joist insulation. They’re all easy to do and don’t cost much. bathrooms or basements. GREAT STUFF Big Gap Filler Insulating Foam Sealant expands to take the shape of cracks and voids, forming a permanent, airtight and water-resistant bond to most building materials. I should have shown the brand in the video. Thanks for joining the Facebook group. Also, formaldehyde-free sounds great. It was large to allow the maximum light into  a bedroom on the north side of the house and I worried that it might be too gloomy. Ask your questions below and we’d be happy to help. I can't explain it other than it seems logical that if a window doesn't work, the carpenter must have installed it wrong....no matter what the reality is. Thanks for the step-by-step with the casings. While you’re at it, check out how other ways you can seal, insulate, and reduce energy costs in high-loss areas around your home. Latex (open cell) or Polyurethane (closed cell) foams. On really tall windows such  I used, foam can squeeze the window in the middle by more than 3/8ths of an inch if you use the wrong variety.. Not a big deal if you catch it before the molding goes on. I’ve used the electrical outlet seals inside my other house but had not done it with the current house yet. Do trimmers ignore the need for shimming and nailing the jambs nowadays?'. In fact, they alo ran a small bead of foam along the entire ground floor perimeter plates where they touch the sub-floor. I don't understand that one. Yes it actually shattered the glass. Help us help you! Yeah, what Forrest said. We are in the middle of an arctic blast and I have to say I’m really dreading the gas bill I will be getting. I used one of my Telehandlers with a swing carriage and raise it right to the correct position and it slide in so nicely. Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features. 1. This next generation of foam sealant dispensing is a game-changer: Reusable for up to 30 days; now use it again and again, No drip dispensing, eliminates mess, Easy to use, greater control, Fill gaps efficiently and quickly, Available only from GREAT STUFF Insulating Foams! What if you have gaps greater than 2 inches (I realize there’s some comedy in this statement but let’s keep things family friendly). Flexibility is super important for windows and doors because the framing will expand and contract when temperatures or humidity change. Why not? What should you use for insulating doors or windows? The purpose-made stuff is light and soft enough that it couldn't cause damage if it wanted toz. The builder called me back to complain that the windows didn't operate properly. I know because now I'm cutting and scraping back all the excess so my wood jamb extensions can sit tight to the windows. It's the feeling of falling further behind. If your view never changes you're following the wrong leader. It would have helped if I had a few moments but the storm had already hit and the forklift had to go back. This is foam insulation with bitter ingredient in it. I’ve gotten it on my hands and it’s not fun. GREAT STUFF™ Gaps & Cracks is a polyurethane-based insulating foam sealant that fills, air-seals and insulates small gaps inside or out. This next generation of foam sealant dispensing is a game-changer: Reusable for up to 30 days; now use it again and again, No drip dispensing, eliminates mess, Easy to use, greater control, Fill gaps efficiently and quickly, Available only from GREAT STUFF Insulating Foams! I’ve wondered what I could do with the light switches and outlet plates that are on exterior walls, now I know! Great stuff makes several types of foam from big gap filler thru the low expansion stuff for windows. * P ROBLE m S OLUTIO n Fill leaks throughout the home with air sealing products from Dow. Or would this prevent the door from closing again? The bricklayers followed up and bricked tight against the bowed in jambs. Enjoy your tips, keep them coming, thanks! Not only does it insulate, but it also helps to airseal and also makes the installation more solid. Always learn something and was just talking to Sandy about these outside wall outlets and their drafts. Wear gloves and safety glasses when using Great Stuff. In this article, we will review those ubiquitous Great Stuff, DAPtex Touch ‘n Foam cans found at your local big box stores. The low-rise Great-Stuff foam (light blue label) does say it's safe for windows. I'm sure window frames are no match for the power of foam. You’ll find shower systems, tiling tools, and more. "I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. Thanks for all of your great info. the foam and time made it so I can't return the window. Great Stuff sealant is a type of polyurethane foam that could expand to fill the shapes of gaps and cracks. I definitely need to get the ones for pests and for big gaps for the lines from the A/C into the house. If you would like to read more in detail about functional differences between the open vs closed polyurethane cells, go here. This is the type of Great Stuff I used on my door in today’s video tutorial and you’ll see how easy it is to use. Zach was worried the woman wouldn’t understand the bad shape of her roof. Great video Jeff! A friend threw a punctured can of Great Stuff into his buddy’s locker. The dang thing leaked cold air till I cut out the foam and pushed insulation into it. 6. Thanks to the straw applicator, GREAT STUFF™ Gaps & Cracks goes on incredibly easy. i can't believe regular great stuff has the force to move a 3/4" pine board that is secured to the framing. Great Stuff 99108860 Smart Dispenser Big Gap Filler, Cream 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,354. Should I use foam spray or caulking? As far as I'm concerned windows are doors aren't included. GREAT STUFF Big Gap Filler Expands for gaps up to 3 inches with same benefits as Gaps & Cracks • Meets ASTM E84 (modified) *Skin of cured foam can discolor if exposed to natural light. Use these tips to keep cables tight and straight for a professional-looking deck-railing job. I recently decided that I was going to re-insulate my garage, so I’ll be sure to follow some of the suggestions that you’ve written in this article. It comes in a can that contains 12 oz. Don’t worry, I’m in the same boat. Here is a prank with a purpose. he was a folksy singer. I have no idea what he did...probably nothing. Nice to be reminded.Thanks. The added benefit is that you can reduce or even eliminate the need to regularly reapply pesticides to select treated areas… Nice view out a fixed window with handcranks.. ;-(, Nothing a chainsaw won't fix. Next. You really can bow a window frame in 3/8" per side and stop it from operating. Great Stuff Pestblock is designed more like their Window & Door sealant and expands to fill, seal and insulate gaps up to one inch (25mm) in diameter. Great Stuff Gaps & Cracks 20 oz Insulating Foam Sealant. Yeah, and yer seat cushion is a flotation device. a sawzall blade makes quick work cutting the foam away enough for the window to work properly. And Pestblock is perfect for pipe gaps under sinks or even dryer vents. Hi Jeff, thank you for a great article! One day it’s 20F the next it’s 40F and raining. I once saw a carp overfill vinyl windows with great stuff. Two guys with a combined weight of nearly 500 pounds plus the weight of those heavy timbers had been standing on the panel held in place solely with great stuff. My first introduction to DIY spray foam insulation was in high school. I've had to go back when I used the wrong stuff and cut back the foam a bit to allow the window to slide up and down properly. don't poo-poo the strength of great stuff! Do the foam insulation on the open side, then do the foam on the hinge side –hoping I have not make everything wonky as I have in the past? Andy, you could also swap out the existing single flap for one that has three flaps and see if this helps . After some research I discovered the bitter ingredient is actually denatonium benzoate. Seals that utilize Great Stuff foam are completely airtight and water resistant so they are invulnerable to moisture, allergens, insects, etc. i'm sure plenty of them do... i always do more than i need to but i enjoy the process. I bet there are many people looking for the same thing. Thanks for the explanation of the types of spray foam insulation. at least the stuff i'm used to. Your email address will not be published. Roxul is great because it provides insulation and is fire resistant since it’s made from stone wool. The contractor extending the fishing dock near me used spray foam to secure the foam bales in place as he was installing them. I try to keep it cleaned from lent so that the flap will closed but when it is windy it often gets to vibrating. Great product, very familiar with it. Add a dab here and there or at corners also.The ones I have seen damage windows are the DIYs who try hard to fill the whole space with regular foamThen they leave and go away and then are amazed later to discover they hvae a pillow growing out of the wall.The deflection in the frame happens thus - As the foam grows and puts pressure on the frame, if billows into the room interior. DOW 157906 12oz GREAT STUFF Big Gap Filler (Case of 12) $ 76.92 Add to cart; DOW 157911 20oz GREAT STUFF Gaps & Cracks (Case of 12) $ 104.04 Add to cart; DOW 157913 20oz GREAT STUFF Big Gap Filler (Case of 12) $ 107.88 Add to cart; DOW 175437 12oz GREAT STUFF Window & Door Foam (Case of 12) $ 95.40 Add to cart Just make sure to wear gloves and safety glasses. Also, don’t remember where I read about it, but I like the idea of putting bagged leaves around the foundation of the house during the winter months for extra insulation. I called my helper up on top of a panels and together we lifted the rest of these heavy timbers up and into place. This option from Great Stuff is a good general-purpose option for gaps and cracks. I can’t believe Great Stuff hasn’t come up with an existing wall cavity fill product. 4# pour foam could easily do it but the stuff from the can, in my experience, is pretty weak... i may be wrong but in the times when we've not installed our own windows and had professional window installers out to jobsites, they've always finished up with spray foam and there has never been a problem i could attribute to the foam. Not a single one of them was installed per instructions and I gave up trying to correct the problem through education. the spray stuff i am familiar with is pretty wimpy. But if you have a large surface area that you are needing to seal, you may be looking for something more like Liquid Rubber.It comes in a one gallon can like a paint can and adheres to wood, metal, and concrete. Not to be cheap but with tape, there is less for lint to catch on. Thanks for suggesting it! Any suggestions on how to at least improve the situation? Use backer rod. and if the window is closed when the foam is sprayed how does it bow the jamb? How To Projects. I’m thinking this is what my buddy used in the locker prank, or at least this is the one I would have chosen. Each one has a very specific application and gives you options. Learn how your comment data is processed. It’s turning out to be pretty darn awesome . Plus there’s a another cool giveaway. Thanks Joe, there a ton more tips to come . Also, thanks for setting up the group. That way you’ll prevent the wall paint from pealing off if the casings have latex wall paint on them. I was just wondering if insulation foam can expand in dry conditions around a window (frame) and cause warping and damage to the window up to and including breakage. Experience less waste, less mess and the same great performance of GREAT STUFF Foam Sealants with our IMPROVED dispensing technology Page 1 of 1 Start over Page 1 of 1 . 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