Photo Album: Insulating and Protecting an Extended Window
This home in Maryland Heights, MO. featured a window that extended past the foundation wall. Unfortunately, the underside of this extension was poorly insulated, allowing cold air in during the winter and hot, humid air in during the summer. Not only did this make the home less comfortable, but it also increased the cost of heating and cooling the home.
Homeowner Matthew G. turned to the experts at Woods Basement Systems to help make this window more insulated. The first step was to remove the old cover and insulation, which was not properly waterproofed. Once the old stuff was out, the new stuff went in. Installer Michael R. covered the inside area with a spray foam insulation that would adhere to the wooden surfaces and cover the space, including small cracks and gaps, with a more resiliant and effective insulation.
After the area is insulated, teh area is sealed off with a section of CleanSpace™ liner. CleanSpace™ is a vapor barrier designed for crawlspaces, but easily adapted to keep other areas of the home dry and safe. CleanSpace™ will keep the area dry and prevent moisture from rising into the space and potentially damaging the insulation or wood. Because it has an anti-microbial layer, CleanSpace™ will also prevent mold growth, keeping the area healthy and protected.
For extra energy efficiency, Michael R. also installed a Sedona dehumidifier. The Sedona is a powerful, yet energy efficient dehumidifer that can wring the air dry. It is capable of removing 100 pints of water from the air in a single day - using the same amount of power as dehumidifiers that only remove 40 pints per day. The Sedona also features a filter that can remove tiny particles like mold spores and dust mite droppings to make the air cleaner and healthier for all the inhabitants. The drier air from the dehumidifier is also easier for the home to condition, lowering the cost of heating and cooling while it is drying the air.
With the newly insulated window and the Sedona dehumidifier, this home will be drier, more comfortable and more energy efficient than ever before.
Insulating Beneath the Window
This spray foam insulation will help prevent hot summer air or cold winter air from rising into the home from beneath this window.
Covering the Sides
Spray foam insulation covers not only the underside of the window, but also the sides of the wooden frame to prevent air from traveling around the insulation and rendering it ineffective.
Vapor Barrier Added
With the insulation in place, a vapor barrier is added as an extra layer of defense. This barrier will prevent water vapor from rising into the space and causing mold growth or rot.
Cover Replaced
This underside cover is replaced once the insulation and vapor barrier are installed to give everything the finished look and to further protect the insulation from hazards like pests or water vapor.
Sedona Dehumidifier
This small dehumidifier can remove over 12 gallons of water from the air in a single day!