I've used both Timberwolf and Nelsons, and honestly, Timberwolf was easier to trim overall—not just less splintery. Nelsons drove me nuts with the random splits, especially when you're already frustrated and just want to finish the dang window. Timberwolf costs a bit more, yeah, but for me it's worth it just for sanity's sake...and fewer trips back to the hardware store.
You're spot-on about Timberwolf being easier to handle. I've had similar experiences—Nelsons tends to split unpredictably, especially near corners. Spending a bit extra upfront often saves headaches later...and fewer interruptions mean smoother installs overall. Good call on prioritizing sanity over initial cost.
- Learned the hard way with Nelsons last summer—corner splits drove me nuts, ended up wasting half a day patching and cursing quietly.
- Timberwolf's been kinder to my sanity, fewer random surprises mid-install.
- Definitely worth the extra bucks upfront, unless you enjoy stress-induced coffee breaks every 20 minutes...
- My rule now: if a product makes me yell at innocent tools, it's not worth the savings.
Totally agree about Timberwolf—used them last fall and it was night and day compared to cheaper brands. Also, don't underestimate the power of a good shim job... uneven gaps can haunt you later. Learned that lesson the hard way too.
Good call on the shims—I had a similar experience. Thought I'd nailed it, but a few months later, noticed drafts sneaking in around the edges. Ended up redoing half the job, which was a huge pain. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is insulation foam. I've heard mixed opinions—some swear by the expanding stuff, others say it can warp frames if you're not careful. Anyone have experience with that? Curious if it's worth the extra hassle or if standard fiberglass insulation is enough to keep things airtight and energy-efficient...
"I've heard mixed opinions—some swear by the expanding stuff, others say it can warp frames if you're not careful."
I've used the expanding foam on several installs, and honestly, it's great if you're careful with it. The key is moderation—too much and yeah, you risk bowing the frames. I learned that lesson the hard way on my first attempt, ended up with a window that wouldn't open properly, and had to trim out the foam and redo it. But once you get the hang of applying it sparingly, it's pretty effective at sealing gaps and keeping drafts out.
Fiberglass insulation works fine too, but I find it tends to settle or shift slightly over time, letting in small leaks of air. Foam fills every little nook and stays put. Just get the low-expansion type specifically made for windows and doors, go easy with it, and keep an eye on things as it cures. I think it's definitely worth the extra hassle for long-term energy efficiency and comfort.
I've had decent luck with foam too, but honestly, I've switched mostly to backer rod and caulk lately. Foam's great when it behaves, but even the low-expansion stuff can surprise you sometimes—had a window frame bow slightly on me once despite being careful. Backer rod is cheap, easy to control, and paired with a good quality caulk, it seals nicely without the stress of watching foam expand. Might be worth trying if you're worried about warping frames...
"Foam's great when it behaves, but even the low-expansion stuff can surprise you sometimes—had a window frame bow slightly on me once despite being careful."
Yeah, I've seen that happen more times than I'd like, even with experienced installers. Foam can be unpredictable, especially if the gap isn't consistent around the frame. Backer rod and caulk is definitely a solid alternative—less stress overall. Curious though, have you tried any of the newer hybrid sealants? I've found them pretty forgiving and durable, but I'm interested to hear how others feel about them compared to traditional caulks...
Hybrid sealants are pretty decent—used one recently and it was way easier to control than foam. Still, nothing beats foam for insulation value when you get it right. Ever tried misting the gap lightly first? Seems to help tame expansion a bit...
Hybrid sealants definitely make life easier, don't they? Foam can be a bit of a beast if you're not careful. Interesting tip about misting the gap first—does that really help control expansion noticeably? I've always just tried to go slow and steady, but maybe that's worth a shot next time. Either way, sounds like you're getting the hang of it... window installs get easier each time, trust me.