How to Insulate a Window with Sash Weights

with General contractor Tom Silva, This Old House television

Shopping List

Supplies You Will Need

1. Foil-faced rigid foam insulation
used to fill gaps between side jamb and rough opening

2. Minimal-expanding polyurethane foam sealant
used to insulate spaces around window

3. Maximum-expanding polyurethane foam sealant
used to insulate spaces around window

4. Foil tape
for sealing joint between rigid foam insulation and wall surface

5. Foam rubber carpet pad
used to plug hole at each pulley

6. Finishing nails
for replacing the window molding

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Tools List
Tools You Will Need
- Hammer
  used to remove molding from around window
- Pry bar,
  used to remove molding from around window
- Utility knife,
  for cutting rigid foam insulation
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In this video, This Old House general contractor Tom Silva explains how to insulate a window with sash weights.

Steps:

1 Use hammer and pry bar to remove the molding from around the window.
2 Cut a strip of foil-faced rigid foam insulation to fit snugly into the space between the side jamb and plaster or drywall.
3 Spray some maximum-expanding polyurethane foam sealant into the space at the bottom and top of the window’s side jamb.
4 Press the strip of foil-faced insulation into place alongside the side jamb, flush with the wall.
5 Repeat the above procedure for the opposite side jamb.
6 Cover the seam between rigid-foam insulation and wall with adhesive-backed foil tape.
7 Plug the hole where the rope meets pulley with a small strip of rubber carpet padding.
8 Replace molding around window.