How do I caulk or foam my basement windows to seal crevices?
September 19, 2023 11:25 AM
Here are some pictures of the windows in my above-ground basement:
https://postimg.cc/gallery/4N5cnnk/d297baca
What product should I get and how should I use it to help with the gaps?
I’ll often find dead bugs of all sorts around the windows and on the ground nearby from where they’ve gotten in through cracks and crevices. I’m wondering what sort of caulk or foam (insulation?) I can apply myself to seal the windows better to help stop the bugs and maybe even improve climate control a bit. I’m not handy so details on what type of product and how to use it (or how not to use it) would be much appreciated! Thanks!
I’ll often find dead bugs of all sorts around the windows and on the ground nearby from where they’ve gotten in through cracks and crevices. I’m wondering what sort of caulk or foam (insulation?) I can apply myself to seal the windows better to help stop the bugs and maybe even improve climate control a bit. I’m not handy so details on what type of product and how to use it (or how not to use it) would be much appreciated! Thanks!
To be more explicit -
This is backing rod - it's basically just foam - you stuff it into large gaps so that you can fill the large gaps with *other* better stuff, but you don't have to use as much of that other stuff because you've already stuffed backing rod in there. It's basically filler.
Then you go and get some spray foam like this. You shoot it in there on top of the backing rod. Don't use too much. It expands like crazy. So, after 24 hours it will be hard and dry and will have expanded outside of the gap like a blob monster.
Go get a knife or blade of some kind and cut off the excess foam, so the gaps are filled to the top...
Then from a functional standpoint I think you're done. But you could also then go get some molding and put it around the window over the gaps to make it look nice. You may need to stain, finish, and-or paint the molding to pull the look together.
posted by kbanas at 11:38 AM on September 19, 2023
This is backing rod - it's basically just foam - you stuff it into large gaps so that you can fill the large gaps with *other* better stuff, but you don't have to use as much of that other stuff because you've already stuffed backing rod in there. It's basically filler.
Then you go and get some spray foam like this. You shoot it in there on top of the backing rod. Don't use too much. It expands like crazy. So, after 24 hours it will be hard and dry and will have expanded outside of the gap like a blob monster.
Go get a knife or blade of some kind and cut off the excess foam, so the gaps are filled to the top...
Then from a functional standpoint I think you're done. But you could also then go get some molding and put it around the window over the gaps to make it look nice. You may need to stain, finish, and-or paint the molding to pull the look together.
posted by kbanas at 11:38 AM on September 19, 2023
I agree with the advice above.
If you can find a spray foam that's specifically for windows and doors, please use that. It is less expandy, which sounds bad but actually helps to not deform the hopefully rectangular frame.
posted by Acari at 11:56 AM on September 19, 2023
If you can find a spray foam that's specifically for windows and doors, please use that. It is less expandy, which sounds bad but actually helps to not deform the hopefully rectangular frame.
posted by Acari at 11:56 AM on September 19, 2023
which sounds bad but actually helps to not deform the hopefully rectangular frame.
This is a great callout. I'm not the handiest person around, but one piece of advice I have to give is never spray that stuff in a place where it doesn't have an out, because it will expand and it will expand a lot and if it doesn't have someplace to go it can absolutely deform surrounding stuff.
That's why I say - spray it in the gap, let it expand and harden, then cut away the excess and *then* put trim on top of it - otherwise you'll have a bad time.
posted by kbanas at 2:14 PM on September 19, 2023
This is a great callout. I'm not the handiest person around, but one piece of advice I have to give is never spray that stuff in a place where it doesn't have an out, because it will expand and it will expand a lot and if it doesn't have someplace to go it can absolutely deform surrounding stuff.
That's why I say - spray it in the gap, let it expand and harden, then cut away the excess and *then* put trim on top of it - otherwise you'll have a bad time.
posted by kbanas at 2:14 PM on September 19, 2023
The spray foam that expands less is contractors foam like CRC-14077 Foam Sealant
posted by mtrhd at 12:55 PM on September 20, 2023
posted by mtrhd at 12:55 PM on September 20, 2023
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Let the foam expand and dry, then cut off the excess with a blade and then finish it off with some quarter round molding or whatever to just dress it up and make it looks nice.
That's what I'd do.
posted by kbanas at 11:33 AM on September 19, 2023