Insulating Window Weight Pockets When Installing Replacement Windows

Stack strips to completely fill the void.

Insulating window weight pockets when installing replacement windows.

Remove these screws and you will be able to access the weight pockets. Even if a house has been insulated with pour in pump in or foam insulation the weight pockets are left open for the weights to operate. These open pockets are cold air collectors. Minimal expansion foam probably won t work for this area.

Easily insulate the pockets of your old windows when replacement windows have been installed. Shim four corners and check window for plumb. Use a hammer and pry bar to carefully remove the wood trim from around the inside of the window exposing the sash weight pockets. Best way to insulate around a replacement window last week a visitor to my site asked me about the best way to insulate around a replacement window.

In this video this old house general contractor tom silva explains how to insulate a window with sash weights. When the old window is removed this will reveal a piece of the jamb that is held in by 2 screws. Insulating behind the rough opening. Insert screws in pre drilled holes in window frame.

Cut strips of foil faced rigid foam insulation to fit into the weight pockets. 1 use hammer and pry bar to remove the molding from around the window. How to install window replacement duration. Do not drill any holes.

The lath and plaster is flush with the window rough opening. I ve had some difficulty with doing my first solo window replacement re. There are two main types of insulation are used when insulating around replacement window. If you remove the inside jamb to expose the pockets and install a wider window this isn t a problem.

Caulk gap on sides and top. Remove the weight and insulate through the pocket. Apply insulating foam sealant between window and rough opening. This house is a 1917 single brick veneer exterior lath and plaster interior the wall is i believe open from attic to basement.

Now that i have begun the process of removing the trim i am finding it to be perhaps more work than it is worth. After some searching online i found the best practice to be removing the trim and insulating the weight pockets with tuff r rigid foam insulation. Use foil tape to seal the joint between the window jamb and foam insulation. A few days later i got the same question so i decided to compile my response into an article below.