Foam Insulation - Foam Rod or Expanding Foam
Foam Insulation - Foam Rod or Expanding Foam
I'm looking into getting new vinyl windows. I live in the San Francisco Area. Some window companies I have spoken with say that they insulate the windows with a Foam Rod because Expanding Foam is bad for the windows and may void some of the warranties. Other vendors say that the Foam Rod is bad. Any opinions on which one is better or what the proper way method is? Thanks!
Expanding foam is great, if they know what they're doing with it, and use the right kind of foam. We use Hilti CF 812, which has be tested in accordance with AAMA 812 standards. Basically, they must use a minimal expanding foam, or it could bow the window frames and void the warranties. There are some mimimal expanding foams sold at Lowe's and Home Depot, but as far as I know, they have not been tested for compliance with the AAMA standard.
As the the foam rod, I am assuming that they are referring to backer rod for caulking. If so, I do not know the insulation value of the product, but suspect you would be better off with loose fill fiberglass if they don't want to use the expanding foam products. Of course, backer rod is better than just caulking the window in, which many installers do.
Good luck to you.
As the the foam rod, I am assuming that they are referring to backer rod for caulking. If so, I do not know the insulation value of the product, but suspect you would be better off with loose fill fiberglass if they don't want to use the expanding foam products. Of course, backer rod is better than just caulking the window in, which many installers do.
Good luck to you.
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The Great Stuff Pro Window and Door sealant from DOW is also ASTM and AAMA approved. It has a minimal expansion and cures soft and spongy and will not put pressure on the frames. The foam backer rod in a compressed form has virtually no R-value.
Thanks Randy and FenEx
Thanks Randy and FenEx for your replies!
pvwmillie
Hello Pvwmillie,
I live in a stucco house and want to do retrofit installation because I've heard horror stories about having to redo the stucco outside of houses after a new construction install. The vendors I've spoken to all seem to think retrofit is ok (I currently have aluminum windows). I considered Milgard, Anlin, Polybau, and Simonton windows. I think all of those are good quality windows. I got quotes from a number of vendors and I think I'm going to go with Milgard Classic series windows for my house. I like the windows and the two vendors that I like carry this brand as their main brand. I liked the Anlin, Simonton, and Polybau windows as well, but I wasn't really comfortable with the vendors I spoke with that carried these windows. Hope this helps!
I live in a stucco house and want to do retrofit installation because I've heard horror stories about having to redo the stucco outside of houses after a new construction install. The vendors I've spoken to all seem to think retrofit is ok (I currently have aluminum windows). I considered Milgard, Anlin, Polybau, and Simonton windows. I think all of those are good quality windows. I got quotes from a number of vendors and I think I'm going to go with Milgard Classic series windows for my house. I like the windows and the two vendors that I like carry this brand as their main brand. I liked the Anlin, Simonton, and Polybau windows as well, but I wasn't really comfortable with the vendors I spoke with that carried these windows. Hope this helps!
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