- Caulk definitely seems cleaner, but I'm skeptical about long-term durability, especially with big windows.
- Foam expands and fills gaps better, providing solid insulation. Caulk might shrink or crack over time, leaving gaps for drafts...
- Anyone had caulk hold up well through extreme weather changes? My windows face direct sun all day, worried it'll degrade faster than foam.
- Also curious if there's a hybrid approach—like foam first, then caulk to seal neatly around edges. Could that be the sweet spot?
I've used the foam-then-caulk method on south-facing windows before. Foam fills those deeper gaps and insulates really well, while a thin bead of quality silicone caulk neatens the edges. Held up nicely for several years, even in direct sunlight—no cracking so far...
I've had pretty good luck with foam and caulk as well, but one thing I've learned the hard way is that foam expands more than you'd expect—especially in warmer weather. A few summers ago, I was sealing a large south-facing window and got a bit too generous with the foam. Ended up pushing the frame slightly out of alignment, and the window didn't close smoothly afterward. Lesson learned: apply sparingly, let it expand, then add more if needed... patience pays off.
Had a similar issue last month. First time using expanding foam around my patio doors, and I underestimated how much it'd puff up. Ended up scraping off excess foam for hours just to get the doors sliding again. Now I do it in stages: apply a thin bead, wait an hour or two, check expansion, then add more if needed. Takes longer, but saves headaches later...
Honestly, I get the caution, but life's too short to babysit foam for hours. I've been using the low-expansion stuff lately—costs a bit more, sure, but way less drama. Last time I did my basement windows, slapped it on once and done. No scraping marathon needed. Sometimes paying a couple extra bucks is worth avoiding the headache...and the sore arms afterward.
"Sometimes paying a couple extra bucks is worth avoiding the headache...and the sore arms afterward."
Haha, totally feel you on that one. Reminds me of when I first tackled my kitchen window—went cheap and ended up scraping foam off the glass for hours. My wife still teases me about the "foam incident." Learned my lesson though, switched to low-expansion foam after that fiasco. Sure, it stings a bit at checkout, but beats spending your weekend chiseling dried foam off your windows like some kind of DIY archaeologist.
Haha, your foam incident sounds painfully familiar. Did you find the low-expansion foam easier to control? I've been debating whether it's worth the extra cost myself. Last summer, I replaced a big bay window and thought I'd save a few bucks by using regular expanding foam. Big mistake. Ended up with foam oozing out everywhere—looked like some kind of alien invasion movie set in my living room. Spent hours scraping and sanding it down, and even then, the trim never quite sat right afterward.
I'm curious though, aside from the mess factor, did you notice any difference in insulation or sealing quality between regular and low-expansion foam? I've heard mixed opinions on that front. Some folks swear by the cheaper stuff for better insulation value, but others say it's negligible and not worth the hassle.
Also wondering if anyone's tried those pre-cut foam strips instead of spray foam altogether? Seems like they'd be cleaner and easier to handle, but do they seal as well long-term? I'm all for saving time (and my sanity), but not if it means sacrificing energy efficiency or durability.
Anyway, props to you for learning from your mistakes—I guess that's half the battle with DIY projects. At least your wife got a good laugh out of it...mine still brings up my "alien foam" disaster whenever I mention starting another project around the house.
I had a similar experience with the pre-cut foam strips when I redid my patio doors. They were definitely cleaner—no alien invasions in my living room—but honestly, I wasn't convinced they sealed as tightly as spray foam. I noticed a slight draft in winter that wasn't there before. Maybe I installed them wrong, or maybe they're just better suited for smaller gaps? Curious if anyone else had better luck with them...
"Maybe I installed them wrong, or maybe they're just better suited for smaller gaps?"
Yeah, I think you might be onto something there. I tried those strips around my bedroom windows last fall—super easy to use, no mess—but I still felt a chill. Probably best for minor gaps or quick fixes rather than full-on sealing jobs...
Those strips are handy for quick fixes, but if you're feeling a chill, you might wanna upgrade to something sturdier. Try silicone caulk—just scrape out old sealant first, wipe the area clean, then run a smooth bead along the gap. Wet your finger and smooth it out. Let it cure overnight, and you'll notice a big difference. Worked wonders for my drafty patio doors last winter, no more chills...