Sealing gaps around windows and doors can stop drafts and keep moisture out. Fortunately, you don’t need special skills to do the job. Just follow our guide on insulating around windows and doors to make your home safer and more energy efficient.
As a homeowner, you do your best to maintain your property properly. Failure to address some important maintenance tasks can lead to a significant increase in your yearly energy bills. Air leakages are one of the biggest causes of energy loss. They occur when conditioned indoor air escapes and outdoor air enters your home through gaps and cracks around doors, windows, and other parts.
Air leakage can also affect indoor air quality and comfort. You may find that not enough air enters your home on hot, still days, while too much air comes in on windy, cold days. Poor insulation can also lead to moisture issues around your home. Moisture accumulation in your house can cause structural damage and various health issues.
Continue reading to learn how to safeguard your property and save money by insulating around windows and doors.
Some of the leading causes of gaps and cracks around doors and windows include:
- Weather changes: Exterior doors and windows are constantly exposed to the elements, and this direct exposure can have a significant impact. Composite and metallic components can warp due to temperature fluctuations, while wood expands and contracts with changes in humidity. If you normally see gaps around your doors and windows during specific times of the year, weather changes might be the main culprit.
- Poor installation: If the doors and windows around your home are not levelled or shimmed correctly, you may end up with an uneven gap around the jambs. Always ensure that new doors and windows are installed correctly, and seal any visible gaps and cracks.
- Foundation settling: The foundation of newly built homes settles after a few years. While most homes experience uniform settling, differential settling occurs in some. This uneven movement can cause windows and doors that were previously perfectly aligned to shift in place, forming gaps and cracks.
- Excess wear: Gaps can also develop around windows and doors due to warping and/or deterioration of weather stripping. If you have an older home, inspect the doors and windows regularly for signs of excess wear.
Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how to stop drafts using canned spray foam.
1. Gather supplies: To properly insulate your home’s windows and doors, you must have the right tools and supplies, including:
- Expanding spray foam – Loctite TITE FOAM Window & Door and Loctite Window & Door Pro Foam
- Safety gloves
- Safety goggles
- Utility knife
- Step ladder
- Dry cloth
- Dispensing gun
2. Ready the surface: Clean and dry the surfaces before applying insulation foam over gaps and cracks around window and door frames. Using a dry cloth, remove dirt and debris from the surface.
If you are insulating a leaky area, dry it thoroughly before applying foam. Expanding foam does not adhere well to wet surfaces.
3. Make room for the foam: To achieve a strong and lasting seal, you must apply the foam deep inside any gaps. Make your work easier by trimming away bits of drywall to create more space for the foam, especially when dealing with uneven or crooked gaps. Making room for the foam also ensures you can move the spray foam applicator along the gap with minimal hassle.
4. Apply foam: First, get a can of Loctite TITE FOAM Window & Door. Shake the can as directed, install the applicator, and remove the break-away tab. For effective and long-lasting insulation, hold the can upside down, insert the straw deep into the gap, and start applying the foam.
Use a continuous bead when applying the product. Don’t worry if the foam expands from the sealed gaps. If you identify any spots with a thin foam layer, feel free to make a second pass.
For applications, like sealing gaps around exterior doors, where accurate regulation of the foam output is necessary, use Loctite Window & Door Pro Foam. This product uses a dispensing gun, which allows you to set your preferred material output. After setting the desired output, just place the tip of the dispensing gun into the gap and start applying foam.
5. Assess and trim excess foam: After application, allow the foam to cure in place and inspect the area to see if all the gaps have been filled. Afterward, you can use a utility knife to remove any excess foam protruding from the gaps.
Always use the right window insulation foam to get the desired results. Loctite TITE FOAM Window & Door and Loctite Window & Door Pro Foam are specially designed to seal gaps around doors and windows. They contain high-density foam, which expands to fill all gaps and cracks and eliminates drafts effectively. As low-pressure expanding foam products, their use will not bow your jambs. These products are highly resistant to harsh UV rays, providing long-lasting results. You can use the products on various building materials, including PVC, metal, stone, brick, concrete, and wood.
Loctite Window & Door Pro Foam is an excellent choice for insulating several windows and doors. The product, which is compatible with regular foam applicators, can seal up to 19 windows.