I'm finally tackling the drafty windows in my old house and I'm stuck deciding between spray foam and fiberglass insulation. Heard spray foam seals better but can be messy, fiberglass seems easier but maybe less effective? Anyone have experience with either?
"Heard spray foam seals better but can be messy, fiberglass seems easier but maybe less effective?"
Yeah, you're pretty much spot-on there. Spray foam definitely seals tighter—had a client last winter who insisted on fiberglass because it seemed simpler and cheaper. Well, come January, he was still feeling drafts around the frames. Ended up going back and redoing it with spray foam anyway... lesson learned, I guess.
But you're right about the mess factor. Spray foam can get everywhere if you're not careful (trust me, I've ruined a good pair of jeans or two). If you go that route, just make sure to mask off everything nearby and wear gloves—it's a pain to clean off skin.
Fiberglass is easier to handle for sure, but unless your window frames are perfectly square and tight (which in older houses they rarely are), you'll probably still feel some drafts sneaking through. Maybe consider spray foam for the bigger gaps and fiberglass for smaller areas? Could be a decent compromise without too much hassle.
Had the same dilemma a few years back when I redid my windows. Went fiberglass first because it seemed quick and easy—big mistake. Spent the next winter feeling cold air creeping in, especially on windy days. Ended up pulling it all out and redoing with spray foam. Yeah, it's messy, and I still have a sweatshirt with permanent foam stains, but the difference was night and day. No more drafts, and the rooms felt noticeably warmer.
If you're worried about the mess, just tape off everything carefully and wear disposable gloves. Honestly, the cleanup hassle is worth it for the comfort factor alone. Fiberglass might seem simpler at first, but unless your frames are perfectly straight (mine definitely weren't), you'll probably regret it later.
Interesting, I've been leaning towards spray foam myself, but does anyone know if it's tricky to remove later on if you need to replace the windows again down the road? Fiberglass seems easier to pull out...
Interesting, I've been leaning towards spray foam myself, but does anyone know if it's tricky to remove later on if you need to replace the windows again down the road? Fiberglass seems easier to p...
Good points raised about removal—spray foam definitely sticks tight, so pulling it out later can be a hassle. A few quick thoughts from my experience:
- Spray foam seals drafts better, hands down.
- Fiberglass is easier to handle and remove if you're planning future window replacements.
- If you go spray foam, just apply carefully to avoid mess and over-expansion.
Personally, I'd lean toward spray foam for long-term comfort, but fiberglass is totally valid if flexibility matters more.
I've been thinking about this too, and honestly, I'm not totally sold on spray foam. Sure, it seals better initially, but I've heard from friends who've had a nightmare trying to remove it later. One buddy ended up damaging the window frame pretty badly because the foam was stuck so tight—ended up costing him extra to fix the mess.
Fiberglass might not seal quite as perfectly, but it's way more forgiving if you ever need to redo things or upgrade your windows down the line. Plus, if you're careful with installation and use a good vapor barrier, fiberglass can still do a decent job keeping drafts out.
I guess it depends on how long you plan to keep your current windows. If you're thinking you'll upgrade again in a few years, fiberglass might save you some headaches. Just my two cents...
Good points on fiberglass being easier to work with later—I've seen plenty of foam removal jobs turn ugly. A few quick thoughts from experience:
- Spray foam does seal tighter initially, no doubt. But if you're careful and use low-expansion foam specifically designed for windows, the risk of damage goes way down. The horror stories usually come from folks using standard expanding foam meant for bigger gaps.
- Fiberglass insulation can work fine, but it's really dependent on how meticulous you are during installation. Even small gaps or compression can seriously reduce effectiveness.
- Vapor barriers help a lot with fiberglass, but I've seen moisture issues pop up occasionally if the barrier isn't sealed properly.
Personally, I'd lean toward spray foam (the window-specific kind) if you're confident in your install skills and plan to keep the windows long-term. But if you think you'll upgrade again soon or aren't super comfortable with foam application, fiberglass is probably safer and less hassle down the road.