I fear you may have me confused with someone else? I have had the Fireview since 2012. We just havent been using it much this winter becuase of warmer weather and my school/work schedule have prevented my from messing with it (aka Ive been lazy and have been letting the heat pump run but its pretty darn efficient and our electric bill hasnt been to much higher than normal)
In these two pictures would it be ok to just fill in the small to medium areas around and under the windows with that canned foam stuff instead of cutting insulation to fit?
Matt, I did that in a couple narrow stud bays, but it takes quite a lot so buy a bunch of cans. At close to $7/can, it can add up pretty quick. I did one bay floor to ceiling that would have been a major PITA to use batts, due to the way the wiring was done there. It was only about 4-5" wide. In the 1st pic, I'd use batts, but you could foam the small bays in the 2nd pic. Be aware that you don't want to try filling the whole cavity at once. It'll take about 2-4 layers to do it. If you do too much, it'll just sag and puddle out.......ask me how I know. Between the window frame and the wall framing, definitely use the window/door stufff.
matt, if you want home Depot sells the pro gun for like 40 bucks.. comes with a cleaner and a can.. I hate those disposable cans cause one the plastic tip drys you can't buy more tips. end up having 2 or 3 partial cans and no way to use it!
That's a good idea CbVT, especially if you ever plan to do more foaming. I threw out a couple not quite used up cans, although I was able to unclog a nozzle on another and finish using it up.
Big plus on the non-expanding foam for windows and doors. Another thing, make sure you don't ever want to change out the windows and doors once you spray foam the cracks!!!
Yeah I intend to use batts in all of the cavities except like you said the small bays under the window in the second picture. We would like to replace all of the windows in the house next year if I spray foam the cracks around these windows would that make it a major PITA or impossible to do in the future?
It would not be impossible but ...... If you're replacing windows so short time away, just use the fiberglass for now. The spray foam I've used is also an excellent adhesive!
The plan is to get them all replaced next year hopefully that will work out. Ill keep your advice in mind and avoid foam around the windows. Thanks for the heads up
It would be hard to convince me to not ad any insulation as long as those walls are already open. But that's me.
A Sawzall would make short work of any foam. Just run the saw around the window/door frame. It'll require some foam scraping, but I HATE using fiberglass around doors and windows. It invariably allows air in.
Very true. The fiberglass finally ends up acting more like an air filter more than anything. But using it sure makes for easier removal with little to no damage to old windows...making them easier to get rid off (re-sell, donate, etc)
Very true! then most use plastic as a vapor barrier and expect it to stop wind and then puncture it with staples.. effectively making it a screen instead which are great for not stopping wind or water. but that's my pet peeve with building codes
I suppose you can tape over the staples if you are worried about that. Never been too concerned myself about the staples as the drywall screws make bigger holes.
Youre 100% right. The cans can be a big waste. I end up making sure I have plenty of areas I want to foam before opening up a can. Once you start using it you might as well use it all. I've never had good luck in using a can a second time.
Oh yeah I know what you mean Ive thrown away more 1/4-1/2 full cans than I can count. I have had some success with cleaning the nozzles and being able to reuse them at a later date but that has been extremely minimal.
