Insulating Window Weight Pockets When Installing Replacement Windows

Caulk gap on sides and top.

Insulating window weight pockets when installing replacement windows.

When the old window is removed this will reveal a piece of the jamb that is held in by 2 screws. Do not drill any holes. In this video this old house general contractor tom silva explains how to insulate a window with sash weights. 1 use hammer and pry bar to remove the molding from around the window.

The lath and plaster is flush with the window rough opening. Use a hammer and pry bar to carefully remove the wood trim from around the inside of the window exposing the sash 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. Remove these screws and you will be able to access the weight pockets.

If you remove the inside jamb to expose the pockets and install a wider window this isn t a problem. A few days later i got the same question so i decided to compile my response into an article below. I ve had some difficulty with doing my first solo window replacement re. This house is a 1917 single brick veneer exterior lath and plaster interior the wall is i believe open from attic to basement.

I discovered that there were sash weight pockets behind the ro. Cut strips of foil faced rigid foam insulation to fit into the weight pockets. Minimal expansion foam probably won t work for this area. How to install window replacement duration.

Place corner bead of sealant around perimeter of window frame where new frame contacts original window frame. Stack strips to completely fill the void. Remove the weight and insulate through the pocket. Use foil tape to seal the joint between the window jamb and foam insulation.

These open pockets are cold air collectors. 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. 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. Shim four corners and check window for plumb.

Apply insulating foam sealant between window and rough opening. Insulating behind the rough opening. Insert screws in pre drilled holes in window frame. Now that i have begun the process of removing the trim i am finding it to be perhaps more work than it is worth.