I totally get where you’re coming from. The foam gun thing gets hyped up a lot, but if you’re only doing a few windows or patching little gaps, it can feel like more trouble than it’s worth. I tried one after seeing a bunch of “pro tip” videos, and honestly, my hands still got sticky and I spent half an hour just trying to get the gun clean. Plus, those cleaners aren’t cheap—almost the price of another can sometimes.
The straw cans are messy, yeah, but for quick fixes they just make sense. I know you can’t really “save” the leftover foam in those, but most of the time I only need a can or two anyway. And not having to store another tool… big plus in my book. It’s kind of like painting—sure, the fancy sprayer is cool, but if you’re just touching up a wall, a brush is less hassle.
Maybe some folks have the patience (or the steady hand) for the pro setup, but I’m with you—sometimes simple is better. If it works for you and gets the job done without extra stress, that’s what matters. There’s always this pressure to use “the best” tools, but honestly, half the time it’s just about what you’re comfortable with.
I’ve made plenty of foam messes over the years—blobs in corners, sticky fingers, even got some on my cat once (don’t ask). It’s all part of figuring out what works for your house and your sanity. No shame in keeping it easy, especially when you’re already juggling a big project like new windows.
Funny you mention the cat—had a similar mishap with a dog tail once. I hear you on the straw cans being less hassle for small stuff, but have you ever had issues with foam not curing right in colder temps? Sometimes I get gaps if it’s below 50°F. Wondering if anyone’s actually found a workaround for that or just waits for warmer days.
Yeah, foam in the cold is a pain. I’ve had it turn into this weird, half-cured mess that just flakes right off when you check it the next day. First time it happened, I thought maybe I’d gotten a bad batch. Turns out, it just doesn’t like working below 50°. I tried warming the cans in a bucket of warm water before using them—helps a bit, but honestly, it’s not foolproof. If the frame or wall is still cold, you’ll still end up with gaps or soft spots.
One winter job, I got desperate and ran a space heater in the room for a couple hours before foaming. It sorta worked, but you have to be careful not to overdo it or you’ll get condensation issues. These days, unless it’s an emergency, I just wait for a warmer spell. Not worth risking air leaks or having to redo everything when spring comes around.
Straw cans are convenient but definitely more temperamental in the cold. If anyone’s got a magic fix for that, I’d love to hear it too...
Ha, I hear you on the foam drama. Been there—nothing like scraping off crumbly, useless foam with frozen fingers and a few choice words. Here’s my “cold weather foam hack” routine, for what it’s worth:
Step 1: I stick the cans in warm water like you said, but I also wrap the window frame area with an old electric blanket for about half an hour. Not exactly OSHA-approved, but it brings the temp up just enough to help.
Step 2: I run a small fan heater, but only until the surface feels barely warm to the touch—no sauna vibes or you’ll get that condensation mess (learned that one the hard way).
Step 3: Work fast. Once you start foaming, don’t dawdle. The window and can both need to be above that magic 50° mark or you’ll end up with those sad little gaps.
Honestly, though, if it’s below freezing? I just call it and wait for a better day. Redoing foam is way worse than waiting. Straw cans are convenient but totally unforgiving in winter... only thing worse is trying to clean up after a failed attempt.
That electric blanket trick is clever—never thought of that one. I’ll usually just prop a work light right up against the frame for a bit, but you’re right, if it’s below freezing, it’s not worth pushing it. Learned that lesson with a can that basically spit out shaving cream... total mess. I always tell folks: if you can’t keep your hands warm, the foam won’t work right either.
if you can’t keep your hands warm, the foam won’t work right either.
That’s definitely true—cold cans are a nightmare. I’ve tried warming them up in my jacket pocket, but honestly, if the room’s below 50°F, I just don’t trust the expansion or adhesion. Curious if anyone’s had better luck with low-temp rated foams? I’ve read the labels, but in practice, I still see weird texture or gaps. Maybe it’s just not worth the risk when you’re dealing with new windows and all that trim work...
I’ve had the same problem with cold-weather foam—labels say it’s good down to 20°F, but in my experience, anything below 45° and you start getting inconsistent bead size and weird gaps after curing. I tried storing the cans in a bucket of warm water just before use, and that seemed to help a bit, but it’s still not foolproof. For trim work, I’d rather wait for a warmer day or use backer rod plus caulk if I can’t control the temp. New windows are too expensive to risk a bad seal...
I hear you on the foam not living up to the label in cold temps, but honestly, I’ve had better luck with the low-temp stuff than with caulk when it’s really chilly. The trick for me has been making sure both the can and the surfaces are as close to room temp as possible—sometimes I’ll even bring the windows inside overnight before install, then pop them back in quick. It’s a pain, but I’d rather do that than trust caulk to fill bigger gaps or count on backer rod to stay put if things shift later.
I get wanting to wait for a warmer day, but in my area (upper Midwest), you could be waiting months. The foam’s not perfect, but I’ve found it does expand and seal way better than caulk in those borderline temps if you prep everything right. Just gotta be ready to trim off some weird blobs after it cures.
Not saying it’s foolproof—definitely had a can or two go weird—but for me, it beats trying to fix drafts after everything’s trimmed out.
The foam’s not perfect, but I’ve found it does expand and seal way better than caulk in those borderline temps if you prep everything right.
That’s been my experience too. I tried caulk once when it was maybe 35° out and it just didn’t set right—ended up redoing it after a month. Foam can be messy, but at least it actually fills the gaps. I’ve never thought to bring the windows inside overnight though, that’s a solid tip. Midwest winters don’t really give you a break, so sometimes “good enough” is just what you get. The blobs are annoying, but I’d rather trim them than deal with a cold draft all winter.
- Agree on foam over caulk in the cold. Tried caulking a gap around my basement window when it was just above freezing, and it never cured right. Peeled up like old gum after a week.
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—Same here. I keep a cheap bread knife just for slicing off the excess after it dries.“The blobs are annoying, but I’d rather trim them than deal with a cold draft all winter.”
- Learned the hard way: don’t overfill, or you’ll be scraping for days. Less is more with that stuff.
- Midwest winters are brutal—sometimes “good enough” is all you get, but honestly, foam has kept my living room way warmer than any fancy sealant ever did.
- Never thought about bringing windows inside overnight either. Might try that next time if I’m swapping one out mid-winter.
- Only downside is cleanup. That sticky residue doesn’t come off your hands for days if you’re not careful. Wear gloves... trust me.