Air-Sealing a Window from the Interior
potton
| Posted in Green Building Techniques on
My contractor left the flangeless windows in my zone 6 house in this condition (see photo). What should I do to improve the air thightness from the interior side: trim the foam and shims and try to put gooee stuff over them (and over the clips)?
Or rather apply 3M 8067 tape on the rough-opening, over them up to the tiny 1/8in edge of the window frame (being the side of the slot for the window extensions, which will be wood) ?
[Note: my Intello vapor retarder will be taped to the side of the rough-opening with Vana tape.]
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Replies
Potton,
How were the openings prepared before the windows were installed? Hammer and Hand has a good how-to here: https://hammerandhand.com/best-practices/manual/3-windows-doors/3-1-new-window-installation/.
If your openings were not done correctly, you might consider asking for a redo.
I would say the openings were 'ok'. I'm considering how to improve airthigtness around the window from the interior while I have access...
Tape the Intello to the window. Vana will work, Proclima also has thinner profiled tapes specific for this purpose.
While I can trim out the wood shims, I guess I would have to tape over the metal clips seen on the photo... I wish they were not there.
I am not sure the clips are an issue, I would hammer them flat into the stud so they are not poking out. I am suggesting you bring the Intello onto the rough opening -- This video is for a skylight, but gives the idea:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9JaxqAhCBU
The clips will just sit behind the Intello, once the Intello is taped to the window your air barrier will be continuous across the interior plane.
thanks!