Removable window cavity insulation
October 5, 2015 9:53 PM Subscribe
I just found an uninsulated boarded up window in my condo
So one of the walls in my kitchen is basically just straight up drywall over a window with plywood over it and that's it. It's cold. I need something to put in the space to get me through this winter. I might want to open it up and have a window there in the future so whatever I do needs to be reversible (so no spray foam). One complication is that the circuit breaker for the unit is also in that space.
So one of the walls in my kitchen is basically just straight up drywall over a window with plywood over it and that's it. It's cold. I need something to put in the space to get me through this winter. I might want to open it up and have a window there in the future so whatever I do needs to be reversible (so no spray foam). One complication is that the circuit breaker for the unit is also in that space.
Seconding foam boards. Check out one of those "used building materials" type of shops, they often have scraps/leftovers many of which are window sized(because they were originally like, dining room table sized or even bigger)
I know several people who picked these up for home studios or vertical to horizontal air conditioner adapting, but they're also you know, decent insulation.
Is it possible to caulk the area around the foam? Air leaks makes a much much bigger difference than just uninsulated windows. Often when a window makes an area feel "cold" it's because air is seeping in. Could you caulk the window shut? You can just peel it off later.(and i'd imagine, if it's drywalled anyways, it'll need to be repainted then anyways so who cares if it adheres to the paint a bit much)
posted by emptythought at 10:43 PM on October 5, 2015 [3 favorites]
I know several people who picked these up for home studios or vertical to horizontal air conditioner adapting, but they're also you know, decent insulation.
Is it possible to caulk the area around the foam? Air leaks makes a much much bigger difference than just uninsulated windows. Often when a window makes an area feel "cold" it's because air is seeping in. Could you caulk the window shut? You can just peel it off later.(and i'd imagine, if it's drywalled anyways, it'll need to be repainted then anyways so who cares if it adheres to the paint a bit much)
posted by emptythought at 10:43 PM on October 5, 2015 [3 favorites]
A picture might be useful as I'm having trouble imagining a circuit breaker inside a window opening.
At any rate I'd cut foam board slightly under size and then foam it in place with those little cans of foam (use the style for windows/doors). But Mitheral you say, I don't want to use foam so I can remove it later. First step before inserting foam is to tape the sides of the opening with Tuck Tape (sheathing tape in the States). The foam doesn't stick to the outside of it but it will still make a good seal. You need the good seal so you don't end up with condensation in your wall.
The foam is flammable so you need to cover it with drywall afterwards. If it is going to have sun exposure thru the window spray glue poster board/newspaper/wallpaper to the outside to protect it from the UV.
posted by Mitheral at 1:15 AM on October 6, 2015 [1 favorite]
At any rate I'd cut foam board slightly under size and then foam it in place with those little cans of foam (use the style for windows/doors). But Mitheral you say, I don't want to use foam so I can remove it later. First step before inserting foam is to tape the sides of the opening with Tuck Tape (sheathing tape in the States). The foam doesn't stick to the outside of it but it will still make a good seal. You need the good seal so you don't end up with condensation in your wall.
The foam is flammable so you need to cover it with drywall afterwards. If it is going to have sun exposure thru the window spray glue poster board/newspaper/wallpaper to the outside to protect it from the UV.
posted by Mitheral at 1:15 AM on October 6, 2015 [1 favorite]
You still could use spray foam if it was filled inside a plastic bag. That is, stuff a plastic bag into the opening, tie or tape it shut except for a hole for the spray foam nozzle and tape the nozzle to the bag. The spray will expand to fill the space, but it will be able to be removed in one piece at a later time.
posted by ShooBoo at 8:23 AM on October 6, 2015
posted by ShooBoo at 8:23 AM on October 6, 2015
Seal & Peel is removable caulk. Use it to seal the foam board. I like this foil-faced foam. You still need to drywall over it.
posted by H21 at 8:51 AM on October 6, 2015
posted by H21 at 8:51 AM on October 6, 2015
Polyester batts are way, way less unpleasant to deal with than rock wool or glass wool, easy to stuff into odd-shaped little gaps, and easily removable.
posted by flabdablet at 4:17 PM on October 6, 2015
posted by flabdablet at 4:17 PM on October 6, 2015
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by ssg at 10:24 PM on October 5, 2015 [1 favorite]