Browse Forums Windows & Doors 1 Sep 22, 2009 3:58 pm Hi all, I attended the local "eco-fair" held by the council the other day and got to talking to someone who assesses houses for the energy usage, etc. Anyhoo, he gave me a tip regarding the use of expanding foam around window frames before the chippies put on the architraves. I am assuming that this is to stop drafts? What other use does it have and how would one recommend doing it? Re: Expanding foam around windows before architraves 3Sep 22, 2009 10:30 pm In colder climates they use spray in foam as the main insulation. Using it to stop drafts is a good idea, and will greatly improve your efficiency and make the house more comfortable if used in conjunction with good insulation.
Re: Expanding foam around windows before architraves 4Sep 23, 2009 1:31 pm Hills Guy In colder climates they use spray in foam as the main insulation. Using it to stop drafts is a good idea, and will greatly improve your efficiency and make the hose more comfortable if used in conjunction with food insulation. ... comfortable hoses and food insulation ... ... ! Just joking ... I think we all understood what you meant. All that talk about comfortable hoses, stopping drafts, improved efficiency and food insulation AND the toilet humour part of my brain thought it was hilarious. Re: Expanding foam around windows before architraves 6Sep 23, 2009 3:35 pm Can any foam in a can be used or is a specific product recommended? I might check my window supplier or Ed can you enlighten us. Cheers Michael He wants a dream home theatre - she wants a dream kitchen! Re: Expanding foam around windows before architraves 7Sep 23, 2009 4:19 pm The foam also helps to hold the frames in place. All brands available in, say, Bunnings, are OK. I've used a few and I haven't noticed any difference. It's very hard to control the flow of the foam, it spurts much stronger at the beggining of the pack than at the end and most often overflows from the gap. It's best not to touch this when fresh, but trim it with a Stanley knife after it's set. It comes off plastic and metal easily. If some foam still left in the pack, rinse the nozzle and the outlet with acetone or white spirit IMMEDIATELY, otherwise it'll become useless. Chris My father rode a camel, I drive a car, my son flies in a jetliner, his son will ride a camel.Saudi saying Re: Expanding foam around windows before architraves 8Sep 23, 2009 4:31 pm paddy Can any foam in a can be used or is a specific product recommended? I might check my window supplier or Ed can you enlighten us. Cheers Michael Hi, We don't use foam. But I know some foams keep "growing" while they are curing and these could bow jambs etc... so be careful. Some windows and doors are more prone than others - the jamb on an opening sash or an entry jamb that isn't supported can easily be bowed. Ed "ECOECO" At 'EcoEco', we design windows, we design the best windows, we do it for you, so that when you’re happy we are happy. Tel. 1800 326 326 Re: Expanding foam around windows before architraves 9Sep 23, 2009 4:48 pm Thanks Ed.....So potential problems can occur when you are trying to improve your house's efficiency. Surprising foam could cause potentially that much damage So Ed what is the correct method in sealing gaps around one's window frames? Thanks for any tips Cheers Michael He wants a dream home theatre - she wants a dream kitchen! Re: Expanding foam around windows before architraves 10Sep 23, 2009 5:52 pm paddy Thanks Ed.....So potential problems can occur when you are trying to improve your house's efficiency. Surprising foam could cause potentially that much damage So Ed what is the correct method in sealing gaps around one's window frames? Thanks for any tips Cheers Michael I am not saying don't use it Michael, just make sure the one you use is not too invasive. The way the flash windows in Qld is the best IMO... perhaps someone can put up a photo. But basically it's a damp-proof course material (150mm - 200mm wide) attached to the reveals at the window and fastened back to the house frame. Bunnies have a polystyrene "rod" in various diameters which can be used as a gap filler. Ed "ECOECO" At 'EcoEco', we design windows, we design the best windows, we do it for you, so that when you’re happy we are happy. Tel. 1800 326 326 Re: Expanding foam around windows before architraves 11Sep 25, 2009 8:59 pm IMO the foam would only bow a frame or window structure if the expanding foam was blocked in there and could not expand out to another area ie to be trimmed. If just squirting into a concealed space - sure it's an issue - but if the window or other area is not yeat sealed and the foam can expand elsewhere - not an issue IMO. But foam is also an issue as to VOC's so - one of those do I - Don;t I products. Re: Expanding foam around windows before architraves 12Sep 25, 2009 9:19 pm I used offcuts of polyester insulation batts when doing the walls & ceilings in all the gaps before plaster using a screwdriver etc to get into the nooks and crannies. Was rather time consuming but it should help and cost nothing really. Re: Expanding foam around windows before architraves 13Oct 03, 2009 4:20 pm ed @ EcoClassic paddy I am not saying don't use it Michael, just make sure the one you use is not too invasive. The way the flash windows in Qld is the best IMO... perhaps someone can put up a photo. But basically it's a damp-proof course material (150mm - 200mm wide) attached to the reveals at the window and fastened back to the house frame. Bunnies have a polystyrene "rod" in various diameters which can be used as a gap filler. Ed Is this the stuff you mean ? If so.. awesome.. had no idea haha Re: Expanding foam around windows before architraves 16Oct 05, 2009 10:19 am using expanding foam and cause more problems than it fixes. The product itself dried to quickly in the nozel and doenst work. I had three cans and i all through them out before they where even finished. Best to use insulation. Re: Expanding foam around windows before architraves 17Oct 05, 2009 5:08 pm [JADED] hrmm.. so whats that supposed to do then? Or is it just decoration ?? lol Its required by the building code, and it sheds any water away from the window and down to the slab where it can exit via the weep holes. Re: Expanding foam around windows before architraves 18Oct 05, 2009 5:14 pm borg using expanding foam and cause more problems than it fixes. ? ? ? Foam is used in many cold climates because batts are not good enough. Like many products there ane tricks of the trade and differing qualities between products. borg Best to use insulation. Expanding foam is insulation LOL, and forms a better air brake than the more open batts most people use. Stopping the air circulating (ie forming an airtight envelope) is a very good way to improve the thermal properties of your home Re: Expanding foam around windows before architraves 19Oct 05, 2009 9:18 pm Hills Guy borg using expanding foam and cause more problems than it fixes. ? ? ? Foam is used in many cold climates because batts are not good enough. Like many products there ane tricks of the trade and differing qualities between products. borg Best to use insulation. Expanding foam is insulation LOL, and forms a better air brake than the more open batts most people use. Stopping the air circulating (ie forming an airtight envelope) is a very good way to improve the thermal properties of your home I agree with you 100%. However my first priority would be that my reveals are straigth and not bowed. When building a house you need to think of all issues. By insulation i was refering to pieces of batts as frefered to in previous post. ALso there is the health and safety aspect of the product. It is stick dangerous keeps on growing and you can never use the full can. This is why i say it creats more problems. Also if you dont have at least 10mm gap to begin with you cant get the nozel into the wall. I am sure foam is a great product for insulation i imagine it keeps its form a lot better. However like my earlier post it simply creates more problems. I do like the CA glue and activator idea but like you said, working time in non existent. I use the sika PU glue but it needs to be clamped firm. I had a joint move… 4 9177 I already have the doors and architraves installed as pictured. My question is which size n type of skirting would go with the architraves? I originally wanted a winder,… 0 3260 |