Seal window...caulk or insulating foam sealant?

Question

My home inspector my window is leaking moisture and needs attention. He said to get it caulked, but I don't think it's that bad.
Should I use caulk or that Great Stuff insulating foam sealant? What is the difference? I'm not confident I can do caulk myself, I think maybe that spray sealant would be easier. Has anyone tried it? How was it?

Answer 1

You can always contact a local handyman to come out and caulk your windows, but it's not something thats really difficult, just takes a little practice :)

For your first attempt at caulking, I recommend that a new homeowner use a latex caulk, as opposed to silicone. Silicone caulk will last longer.... but it's harder to work with, if youre new to the experience. It also takes a bit longer to 'cure'. The benefit tho, is a much longer lasting seal.

Latex caulk will clean up with any mild soap and water...that makes it handy for 'first time users'... if you make a mistake, simply scrape it off, and wipe the surface down. When Im using a standard caulk tube, I will cut the tip at an angle, leaving a hole of about 1/4" -- the larger the hole at the tip, the more caulk you will get, as you squeeze the handle. Most of the time, you dont need a large bead. You can just apply the caulk straight to the outer edges of the window, and leave it, or you can 'feather' it. "Feathering" is most often seen inside bathrooms... around tubs for example. Its a real simple trick... just dip your finger or thumb into a little water, and run it down the bead of caulk... this will smooth it out, so that it blends in more with the trim. Wipe off any excess caulk, and youre finished.

(One tip for first time users - release the pressure on the caulk tube just before you get to the end, or at the end, of your caulk run... this prevents excess squeeze out of the caulk.)

Its a good idea to caulk when youve got a day or two of planned dry weather... if you must caulk in wet weather, it is possible to use the silicone caulk, tho again, its harder to clean up.. a very important fact for first time users.

Alex is a good brand of latex caulk, and can be found at most hardware stores. These days, you can even buy caulk in different colors, to match your siding and trim. And of course, most caulking can be painted, after it cures.

As has been pointed out already... "Great Stuff" is used for insulating the space between a window, and the wall... this would be the space behind the inside trim, for example. I strongly recommend using the DAP white expanding foam, rather than "Great Stuff" -- The DAP product does most of its expansion upon immediately exiting the straw....Great Stuff continues to expand up to an hour .... and the DAP white foam cleans up with water.... If you get Great Stuff on your hands... you're going to be wearing it for a long time, lol. You have to use something like Acetone to clean it off, and even then its difficult. And you don't want to use Acetone on trim, or painted surfaces, hehehe.... it'll strip it.
That expansion time is important too -- it is much easier to tell if you have enough foam insulation, if you use the DAP white foam. You do not want to put too much into the space, because it can put pressure on the window casing, bowing it out of shape, and making it difficult to operate the window.

So.. Caulk around the outside of the window unit to weather seal it... and use insulating foam (or batten), inside the wall, to help improve the insulation around the window. Do NOT use expanding foam on the OUTSIDE of the window.... its not made to withstand the weather, and will deteriorate, leaving you with an ugly mess to clean up.

Have Fun

Answer 2

They are not the same thing. Spray foam is insulation as in air movement, not water. It may be a good idea to use though if the casing is removed. Use the window stuff, it expands less so it doesn't distort jambs and interfere with operation. Its very easy to make a huge mess with this as it expands outside of the area you wanted if you aren't careful and is extremely sticky while wet.

What you really need is caulking. I don't want to say its easy, because it takes practice to do it effectively and neatly. Use caulking for exteriors, like OSI brand. Unlike latex painters caulk you use indoors, most exteriors can't be touched (worked with your fingers), so take your time use a smooth motion. You can nail two boards together to make an inside corner that you can practice on before the real thing.

Water is your problem, so caulking, not spray foam, is the solution. If nothing else, maybe you have a friend or relative who can do this for you.

Answer 3

Insulating Foam Sealant

Answer 4

DON"T DO THAT!!! Stop! If you have the old style windows with the rope and pulley system, the expanded foam will fill the cavity where the weights come down and you won't be able to open the windows!

Caulk the outside of the windows like the inspector said. Use a silicon caulk and caulk gun. Very simple to use. Put on a pair of rubber gloves, and have a container of a soap solution handy. After you fill the cracks, dip your index finger in the soap solution and smooth out the caulk, pressing it into the crack as you slide your finger down the bead of caulk.

And don't forget to do the TOPS.

You can do it!

Answer 5

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Seal window...caulk or insulating foam sealant?
My home inspector my window is leaking moisture and needs attention. He said to get it caulked, but I don't think it's that bad.
Should I use caulk or that Great Stuff insulating foam sealant? What is the difference? I'm not confident I can do caulk myself, I think maybe that spray...

Answer 6

Spray Foam Sealant

Answer 7

Use the expanding foam INSIDE the walls between the window jamb if there are any holes large enough to be filled and accessible from the outside.

Use the caulk to form a sealed ring around the edge of the window frame and the edge of the window jamb.

You may need both!

Answer 8

the spray will work but you must use window and door spray so the windows can still be moved, it expands this stuff and you don't need to fill the area right away the expansion takes care of that just make sure the tip is in contact with the (done from the inside of course)outer most areas of the unit to help with the moisture problems. if the interior trim will not be getting removed its gonna have to be the caulking from the outside

Answer 9

I'm a guy, and personally, I don't like long nails. I know a lot of like lengthy, painted nails cause they're "so pretty", but I don't like them.

Answer 10

Expanding Foam For Windows