foaming gaps and penetrations: Is This The New Way Of Installing Doors?
- 04/18/13 08:42 PM
Is this the new way of installing doors? I should back up. In the olden days, of professional carpentry and work that would last a long time, a door was level, plumb, structurally sound and firm. One good thing that I have liked seeing lately, even calling it a best practice, is foam. It is a great energy sealer around doors and windows. However, recently, I have seen foam used in ways not intended, as in this case, literally attaching a front porch beam to the house. This is unfortunate, lazy, structurally ridiculous and will not last. In addition, doors that … (14 comments)
foaming gaps and penetrations: New Construction Porch Roof - Shimmed And Glued. And The Beat Goes On
- 02/24/13 07:18 PM
I'm not sure why I continue to see this kind of work, the new construction front porch roof - shimmed and glued. And the beat goes on. Certainly I am at the point of wondering if this is not considered the "way to do it now," and it's how an architect or builder would spec and build their own houses. Rather than cutting the supporting studs properly, the outside front porch beams needed to be supported with a shim. Shims are not long-term support. Cut the stud supports at the proper height! Note the special stabilizing chunks of wood on each … (39 comments)
foaming gaps and penetrations: Where You Don't Want To See A Gap
- 01/04/13 05:17 PM
There are gaps that have made history - Daniel Boone's Cumberland Gap, the gap between Alfred E. Newman's front teeth and the famous credibility gap inherent in ALL politicians. But there are times where you don't want to see a gap. Like between windows! This is a house that had the insulation installed when we did the pre-drywall inspection. I like to see a house after the insulation is installed because it tells me things about the builders' supervisor and subcontractors. Why? Usually, if they are careful about the little stuff, the big stuff will take care of itself. In this … (26 comments)
foaming gaps and penetrations: Foaming Other Places Where Energy Can Escape - Best Practices
- 12/01/11 10:35 PM
Open cell energy foams can work in lot of places, not just walls. Here are some other examples of foaming other places where energy can escape. Any penetration through the ceiling can cause huge energy losses, summer and winter. This is thermal image of the bath vent in my upstairs hall bathroom just this morning. The ceiling surrounding that ven, obviously insulated, is 68.7F. Outdoors at the time of that image it was 29F. That vent is 46.1F. Are we losing heat through it? Well, yes! Can it be foamed to prevent such loss? Well, no! But other things can. On … (27 comments)
foaming gaps and penetrations: Foaming Gaps And Penetrations - Best Practices
- 11/30/11 09:25 PM
More and more now I am seeing builders foaming gaps and penetrations - best practices on new construction. In "the olden days" the gap where the sill plate (the bottom 2x4) rests on the sub floor would have been caulked. And maybe there would be caulking around windows and doors. But notice how all the gaps where air can get in are foamed? That is a minimally-expansive foam, open cell, which will provide a permanent seal. It restricts air flow nearly to zero. Notice how even the vertical gaps on both sides of the corner are foamed as well. Once insulation … (37 comments)
foaming gaps and penetrations: Best Practice - Window And Door Insulation
- 10/11/11 10:23 PM
How often have we complained about cold air near and around windows and doors? It could be that upon installation, the Best Practice - window and door insulation was not employed. On a new construction, pre-drywall inspection I ran across something that I really like to see. Proper insulation around the windows and doors! This is how insulation around windows and doors has been done for a long time. If properly done, it is, in a word, OK. However, there is a trick to it. Fiberglass insulation is intended to provide a thermal barrier by trapping air. If it is crammed … (20 comments)
Is this the new way of installing doors?
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