• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
GardenFork - Eclectic DIY
  • May I Email You?
  • Podcast
  • Articles
  • Video
menu icon
go to homepage
  • May I Email You?
  • Podcast
  • Articles
  • Video
  • Follow Me Here:

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • May I Email You?
    • Podcast
    • Articles
    • Video
  • Follow Me Here:

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Articles » DIY

    Easy Window Install & Using Spray Foam

    by Eric · This post may contain affiliate links, its one way we pay the bills. · 1 Comment

    This post may contain affiliate links, it helps us pay the bills, more info here.

    I helped a friend install replacement windows today. The original windows were double hung sash weight windows, quite old. Wanted to show you a few things about how to install replacement windows. To install new windows, you first have to remove the old ones. This is not hard.

    We will be using the frame of the original window. The replacement windows slide inside the existing frame. Most replacement windows need to be custom ordered. Its important to measure each window, as they are all slightly different.

    easy-window-install-using-spray-foam-4

    Old window removed

    To ready the window frame for the new window, you remove the trim from the inside, and the bottom window will tip out easily. There is a thin wooden strip between the upper and lower windows, and once that is removed, the upper window comes out. You may have to disconnect the sash weights, though the sash weight cord is usually broken already. The windows may need to be lowered or raised a few inches to get past the sash weight pulley.

    easy-window-install-using-spray-foam-5

    The replacement window then slides into the existing window frame.

    Now the fun part: Spray Foam.

    Its probably the insulation obsessive in me, but I love to use spray foam. For these windows, we had to insulate a lot of cavities around the original windows, so this called for a lot of spray foam!

    There are several kinds of spray foam, different kinds expand at different rates, and some cans of foam can be used more than once. Some cans, once you start foaming, you can't stop, or the foam hardens in the spray tube. Others you can clean out the spray tube and use it again later.

    Cavity Filler and Door Foam

    Cavity Filler and Door Foam

    The two main kinds of spray foam for our purposes is cavity filling "Big Gap Filler" and minimally expanding "Door & Jamb Foam" . The names are pretty self explanatory. You may not realize it, but the cavity filler type foam, if used when sealing a door or window, can warp the wood door frame. For doors and windows, we use the minimally expanding foam to fill in the gaps. For big open spaces, we use the big foaming stuff.

    Most spray foam cans have to be held upside down when using, if you don't, all the propellant leaks out, leaving the foam in the bottom of the can. It can be helpful to have an additional stray handy when you have to work up close to a ceiling, the additional straw allows you still tilt the can yet get the foam where you need it.

    Cavity Filler Foam on the bottom, and Door & Jamb foam on top

    Cavity Filler Foam on the bottom, and Door & Jamb foam on top

    Most important is to wear gloves and clothes you don't care about. You will get foam on your clothes, and it doesn't come off. I have ruined a lot of clothing with spray foam. I invented the trash bag work smock for impromptu spray foam jobs.

    Trash Bag as spray foam application uniform

    Trash Bag as spray foam application uniform

    What do you use spray foam for? Let us know below:

    « Dandelion Greens : Info, Recipes, Videos
    Raised Bed Garden Plans For A Self Contained Garden : GF Video »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Christine Lynch

      January 02, 2014 at 1:16 pm

      I have an obsession with spray foam as well.....the only thing that works for me to keep the ground squirrels at bay.....I had a couple of holes near the house where it was very convenient for them to pop up and eat my plants and quickly scurry away before capture. Filling the holes at the entrance and a little way down seems to have caused them to go elsewhere.

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Become a Monthly Supporter of GardenFork. Click Here To Learn More

    Pages

    • About
    • Let's Stay Connected With Each Other
    • Maple Syrup Evaporator Information
    • May I Email You?
    • Pizza Oven Plans & Make Pizza Videos
    • Privacy Policy
    • Radio
    • Terms of Use & Affliate Information
    • The GF Amazon Shop
    • Want More GardenFork? Here You Go:

    My lawyer makes me do this part: Visitors agree to our Terms Of Service and Affliate Information - Use This Information At Your Own Risk

    Produced by GardenFork Media LLC, Brooklyn, NY ©2021 All Rights Reserved