How to choose the right polyurethane foam: professional advice. The best mounting foams Which mounting foam is suitable for outdoor use

Polyurethane foam is a polyurethane sealant and, to some extent, its composition is similar to a dishwashing sponge. That is, it is practically foam rubber. Of course, it is unusual, but enriched with various chemical additives.

A container of polyurethane foam contains a mixture of liquid prepolymer and propellant, which is a propellant gas. It is this compressed gas that promotes the release of foam from the cylinder to the outside. It is characteristic that the process of its hardening is directly affected by the amount of moisture both on the treated surface and in the air. Therefore, with high air humidity, polymerization occurs much faster than in dry and hot weather. Thus, you can speed up the hardening process of the foam by simply wetting the surface with plain water.

Cured polyurethane foam is quite hard, but at the same time quite elastic, porous substance with a characteristic light yellow or white tint. It is very light, but is not moisture resistant and is extremely sensitive to ultraviolet radiation. When exposed to sunlight, it becomes yellow, brittle and quickly crumbles. In addition, the foam has good sound and heat insulation properties.

Characteristics of polyurethane foam

During the selection process, the technical characteristics of the polyurethane foam should be taken into account.

Output volume.

As a rule, foam cylinders indicate the total volume that can be obtained after its expansion and hardening. Typically, a unit such as a liter is used to measure this parameter. At the same time, many people mistakenly believe that the numbers 50, 65 or 70 printed on foam cylinders are an indicator of the output volume. In fact, they indicate the amount of propellant that is contained in the cylinder under normal conditions. In reality, the amount of foam is much smaller, and its yield depends on a large number of factors. Therefore, instead of the 65 liters indicated on the cylinder, it usually comes out to about 35 liters.

Adhesion.

This indicator determines the ability of the foam to adhere to a variety of materials other than Teflon, polyethylene, polypropylene and silicone surfaces, with the exception of ice and oil.

Primary expansion.

This value shows the degree of expansion of the foam volume at the moment it leaves the cylinder. Moreover, during this period the volume increases several times.

Secondary expansion.

In this case, the increase in foam volume is taken into account, starting from the moment of initial expansion and ending with its complete polymerization. Depending on the manufacturer of this type of product, this value can vary significantly from 15% to 100%. Experts say that the minimum parameters of secondary expansion are considered the best indicator. Since foam can easily break a wooden frame and bend a similar structure made of PVC profile. At the same time, using some kind of counterfeit and low-quality foam as a base for a plastic window sill, the next day you can get a large curved hill instead of a flat surface.

Viscosity degree.

High-quality foam has a high viscosity, while low-grade products are incredibly liquid and often have a consistency similar to jelly. At the same time, this happens when during operation the air temperature does not correspond to acceptable parameters.

Types of polyurethane foam

What types of polyurethane foam are there?

Manufacturers produce different types of polyurethane foam, which differ in composition, performance characteristics and scope of application.

However, conditionally, foam can be divided into (description of polyurethane foam):

Professional.

Cylinders with such foam are equipped with a special ring valve, which is used to screw the container onto the mounting gun. After the cylinder is secured to the tool, the foam under pressure enters the inside of the gun, where it rests against a valve that is controlled by a trigger. Thanks to the use of a gun, the procedure for applying foam to the work surface is as comfortable and quick as possible. By pressing your finger on the trigger, you can control the pressure and direction.

Household.

The set of such cylinders initially includes a special plastic tube, which allows you to perform the work without using a mounting gun. However, despite its simplicity and availability, in most respects it is significantly inferior to professional foam. In particular, it has a much higher secondary expansion rate and a lower output volume. Quite often, the gas in such cans runs out faster than the prepolymer. In addition, they are considered disposable, so they must be used immediately, since the next day the containers become completely unusable. Thus, it is best to fork out money to buy a mounting gun, which costs within a few hundred rubles.

It is worth noting that it is strictly not recommended to use household foam for critical work, such as installing window and door structures, as well as window sills.

In addition, the composition of the polyurethane foam may differ in its composition:

One-component– it is familiar and available for general use.

Two-component– this type has a narrow scope of application and is not available for free sale. Since to use it you need to mix two different compositions.

Also, depending on the temperature conditions in which polyurethane foam can be used, it can be:

• Summer.
• Winter.
• All-season.

It should be noted that the composition of winter foam differs significantly from its summer counterparts. In particular, it can be used at low air temperatures, down to -20°C inclusive. Naturally, to use it in such frost, care should be taken to ensure that the temperature of the cylinder itself is positive.

In addition, the foam is distributed according to flammability classes and has the appropriate designations:

• B1 – fireproof.
• B2 – self-extinguishing.
• B3 – flammable.

Of course, polyurethane foam, which has increased fire-resistant properties, is considered the best.

Areas of application of foam

Mainly, foam is used during the installation of PVC windows, doors and other similar structures to seal them. You can also glue polystyrene foam and other thermal insulation materials onto the foam. In addition, it can be used for sound insulation of water pipes and steel bathtubs. Because such bathtubs make an eerie rumble as they fill with water. To eliminate this defect you must:

1. Turn the bathtub over and place it on the floor.
2. Then very carefully cover its surface with foam.
3. Wait until it hardens.
4. Place the bathtub in its original place and enjoy the silence.

It should be noted that before gluing the foam, it is imperative to apply a layer of primer to the base surface. This will significantly increase the strength of the connection.

Choice

According to experts, the most popular and high-quality professional mounting foams are:

• Soudal Gun.
• Penosil GoldGun.
• Tytan Professional.

These types of foam are characterized by low secondary expansion, good viscosity and large output volume. Also, this product has a fairly long service life. Most experts recommend using one of these types of polyurethane foam to perform any important work.

Foam Application

Naturally, for normal use of foam you will need to purchase a can and a mounting gun. Then you can start working:

1. You need to shake the can vigorously for a minute to ensure complete mixing of all the components that make up the foam.
2. Screw the cylinder into the mounting gun until a sharp short-term hiss appears, which indicates the entry of foam into the inside of the tool.
3. By pressing the trigger, you can see foam coming out of the nozzle.
4. By pressing the trigger with different force, you can adjust the speed of filling the seams.
5. You only need to fill the seams with foam to 35 - 50% of the volume, because it will still expand.
6. Seams must be filled from bottom to top.

In order to speed up the hardening process of the foam, before applying it, you should first moisten the surface to be treated. In this case, after applying the foam, it is recommended to additionally spray water on it. Literally in an hour, it will harden enough, which will make it possible to cut off all the excess with a knife. To achieve the complete polymerization process, at least 24 hours must pass.

During a break in work, you should not separate the foam container from the gun, because the foam inside it will not harden in any case. It is enough to simply rinse the nozzle of the gun with a cleaner, which is essentially ordinary acetone with special additives. After finishing work, you need to disconnect the container from the gun and thoroughly rinse its ring with a cleaner, and then screw the container onto it again and pull the trigger all the way. First, the remaining foam will begin to come out of the nozzle, and then the cleaner will come out. At this point, you need to release the trigger and separate the cylinder from the gun, leaving the cleaner in the barrel. Finally, you should carefully inspect the gun for any remaining foam.

All these procedures must be carried out with special gloves. Since if foam gets on the skin, it will take a very long time to scrub it off with a cleanser. At the same time, it is almost impossible to wash hardened polyurethane foam with acetone. Therefore, for these purposes you will need to buy a special solvent at a construction supermarket.

Polyurethane foam is a modern building material, without which it is impossible to imagine installing windows or doors. It can also be used to seal cracks in masonry and fill any other cavities. The market offers a huge range of this type of product, professional (for mounting gun) and adapter types.

Our review contains the best polyurethane foams for construction work. The rating position is based on the characteristics of the product, as well as reviews from professional builders who constantly work with this material.

Often a bottle of foam turns out to be too much to fill a small volume of voids. Often people throw away most of the material due to the drying of the foam at the exit of the cylinder. To reuse a container of foam, you should listen to simple advice from professionals.

• After a single use, an adapter or household cylinder with a tube must be placed on the bottom and left in this position. You can place a container under the tube to collect the remaining foam. When complete hardening occurs, the tube is disconnected from the cylinder and the dried foam is removed using a long wire. The remaining polymer can then be reused.
• When using a pistol, it is better to use a special flush, which is supplied in similar cylinders with a mount for the pistol. To do this, simply rearrange the gun and press the trigger to wash under pressure.

TOP 10 best polyurethane foams

10 DEXX

Best price
A country: Germany (produced in Russia)
Average price: 140 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.2

DEXX universal polyurethane foam is perfect for working with any building material when performing home repairs and even professional construction. The possibility of use in the temperature range from -10 °C to 35 °C means that it can be used for its intended purpose all year round. Once completely cured, this product is non-flammable and non-toxic.

Work with DEXX is carried out using a special gun, the amount of filler formed reaches 30 liters. The density and structure of this professional polyurethane foam ensures high-quality adhesion to the surface and airtight filling of voids. This material also provides excellent protection against moisture and noise, which is important when installing windows or external doors. Buyers give mostly positive reviews about this filler, noting its good performance characteristics. No one considered even a small yield of polyurethane foam to be a disadvantage due to the most affordable price on the market.

9 Profile

The best choice for winter
Country: China
Average price: 251 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.2

Professional polyurethane foam Profil will be the best choice if it is necessary to carry out construction and installation work in winter, since it retains its technical characteristics at temperatures down to -10 °C. The pistol system allows you to use this filler more rationally due to the precise dosage of the required volume.

Profil polyurethane foam has excellent filling, sound insulation and heat-saving properties. It is used for installing window and door blocks, filling joints and seams. Users note in their reviews the reliability and durability of this filler, the large volume of foam produced and the possibility of use at any time of the year. All these characteristics are greatly enhanced by the availability of an affordable price.

8 PROFFLEX PRO GOLD

Best product yield
Country Russia
Average price: 296 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.3

One-component polyurethane foam PROFFLEX PRO GOLD has the highest performance, making it popular among professional builders. The manufacturer guarantees the output of 65 liters of high-quality polyurethane filler. Installation work on building structures, windows and doors can be carried out in a temperature range from 5 °C to 35 °C, which guarantees correct hardening.

The products of this manufacturer are characterized by an accelerated drying process; complete hardening occurs within two hours. Professional polyurethane foam PROFFLEX PRO GOLD is an environmentally friendly product and fully complies with all quality standards, which is confirmed by certificates. In reviews, owners often note very economical consumption and optimal density, which guarantees the stability of the material before it hardens.

7 IRFIX B1

There is no secondary expansion. Fire resistant
Country Russia
Average price: 320 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.5

When performing installation and sealing work in places with increased fire safety requirements, the best choice will be professional fire-resistant foam IRFIX B1. It is perfect for laying cables, installing a chimney or fire doors. Polyurethane foam does not emit toxic substances and is absolutely safe for the environment, so it can be safely used in residential areas.

Ease of use is ensured by a special applicator. The clever composition of this mixture with a low degree of re-expansion allows you to accurately dose the amount of material during the application process, while avoiding accidental overuse, which, in addition, will add work in the form of trimming excess. IRFIX B1 polyurethane foam has very high adhesion to almost all building materials, which significantly expands the range of its applications.

6 Moment Installation

High adhesion
Country Russia
Average price: 339 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.5

At the best price you can purchase Moment Montazh polyurethane foam in different regions of the country. You can buy a can of this insulating substance at any provincial store. It is available for use with or without a pistol. The most commonly available foam is all-season foam, which is suitable for jobs such as installing windows and doors, filling voids, and sealing seams. A distinctive feature of the material is its density and uniformity. The foam has good adhesion to various building materials. After complete drying, an insulation is formed that is not toxic or harmful to the human body.

The advantages of domestic foam Moment Installation include affordable price and good quality. Sometimes there are fakes that have an unpleasant odor and yellow color. Such foam can squeeze out door frames or window sills when hardened.

5 TechnoNIKOL 65 Constant

Low shrinkage rate
Country Russia
Average price: 357 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.6

The domestic foam TechnoNIKOL 65 Constant has the best universal qualities. It is a polyurethane material that has an increased yield from the cylinder. The product has moderate expansion and increases in volume after filling the voids. The presence of a special formula allows you to maintain volume during the drying process. After hardening, no shrinkage or secondary expansion is observed. Polyurethane foam clings well to the most popular building materials. The exceptions are polyethylene, silicone and fluoroplastic. The product can be used for fixing doors and windows, installing wall panels, roof insulation and plumbing fixtures.

In reviews, consumers speak flatteringly about the availability of TechnoNIKOL 65 Constant foam, predictability, and wide scope of application. The main disadvantage of the product is its absence in stores in small towns.

4 Makroflex Standard

The most popular polyurethane foam in Russia
Country: Estonia
Average price: 280 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.6

The most popular polyurethane foam among homeowners and professional builders is Makroflex Standart. This brand is so popular in our country that you can find the products in the most remote parts of Russia. Foam is intended for sealing cracks and voids, although it is often used as a thermal insulation material. Spray cans often flash when installing windows and doors, eliminating cracks in old houses, garages, barns, etc. The strengths of the foam include good adhesion to a wide variety of building materials. Moreover, it has a homogeneous structure and does not suffer from secondary expansion.

Thanks to the popularity of the brand, Makroflex Standart polyurethane foam is in demand in our country. The affordable price goes well with the technical properties. But the downside of popularity was a large number of fakes. In addition, reviews note shrinkage of the material after drying.

3 KRAFTOOL KRAFTFLEX PREMIUM

High fire resistance
A country: Germany (made in Switzerland)
Average price: 345 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.8

High-quality polyurethane foam KRAFTOOL KRAFTFLEX PREMIUM is made on the basis of polyurethane with the addition of various additives that significantly improve the technical characteristics of the product. This foam is professional and is used with a mounting gun. It is perfect for all-season use for both interior and exterior work. Since this polyurethane foam filler has increased fire resistance, it can be safely used when installing fire doors and windows, as well as for filling any voids and carrying out sealing work.

KRAFTOOL KRAFTFLEX PREMIUM foam has high sound and thermal insulation properties. Complete hardening of the material occurs within 12 hours. Its consumption is very economical - with a cylinder volume of 750 ml, the output is up to 45 liters of solid filler. You can store an incompletely used cylinder of polyurethane foam for quite a long time and in any position thanks to the patented Super Valve (SVS) system.

2 Tytan O2

Low temperature resistance
Country: Poland
Average price: 435 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.8

Tytan O2 winter foam is very popular and respected among domestic builders. It is affordable and has all the necessary qualities. The product is especially distinguished by its adhesion to building materials even in winter conditions. When hardened, the volume is well preserved and shrinkage does not form. And the structure of the polyurethane foam is dense and fine-celled. It is Tytan O2 that professionals choose when they have to install windows and doors in new buildings in frosty weather. The advantages of the insulator include non-toxicity and harmlessness to the human body. This modification also works great when used indoors.

The winter version of Tytan O2 polyurethane foam has many positive reviews. Professional builders rave about its low-temperature performance properties. The weak point of the product is its fragility outside buildings, fear of ultraviolet radiation.

1 Soudal Soudafoam

Best Fire Retardant Foam
Country: Belgium
Average price: 409 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.9

In the assortment of the Belgian company Soudal you can find different types of polyurethane foam. The fire-resistant modification, which is intended for sealing chimneys, stoves, plumbing pipes, etc., has excellent quality. Under certain conditions, the hardened insulator can withstand a fire test for 360 minutes. Foam is also used to improve fire safety, for example, when sealing roofs, installing insulating materials, and restoring the thermal envelope in air conditioning systems. Soudal is famous for its slight secondary expansion, dense and finely porous structure. Has good adhesion.

Professional builders in their reviews highlight the advantages of Soudal polyurethane foam, such as high quality, wide range of applications, and lack of shrinkage. Foam does not tolerate exposure to sunlight, so protection of the seam from UV rays is required.

Although polyurethane foam appeared on the construction market relatively recently, it has already gained a strong position and popularity among buyers. Why is she so appreciated? Firstly, it is sealed, works as a soundproofing material and does not allow water to pass through. Secondly, polyurethane foam is easy to use. And thirdly, it penetrates into the most inaccessible places, reliably filling small cracks.

In addition, this material, if installed correctly, lasts for many years, allowing you to postpone the next repair for a long time.

Which polyurethane foam to choose: pay attention to types and properties

The foam cylinders presented on the counter can be divided into two large groups:

• professional
• household

Household polyurethane foam is applied using a special tube. Experts warn: such foam is good only for eliminating some minor defects. It can be used to seal cracks, fill cavities, and so on. But for serious installation work, only professional types of foam are required.

Professional foam should be applied with a special gun. Why is this type of foam better for installation? The reasons are as follows:

• professional foam comes out of the bottle many times faster
• it expands less
• the material dries faster.

For dacha work and as a sealant for some areas, ordinary household polyurethane foam may be suitable. But if you want a high-quality, reliable result, your approach must be serious.

Which polyurethane foam to choose for installing windows and doors

As we have already found out, it is better to use only professional foam for installation. Installation of plastic windows and doors is no exception.

True, you can also use household polyurethane foam, but for entrances it is better to use professional types of sealant.

Professional polyurethane foam reduces the risk of damage to the integrity of the seams, which means the tightness of PVC windows and entrance and interior doors increases. If this is important to you, do not neglect this advice.

When installing windows, it is also important to consider the outside temperature. Polyurethane foam is divided into summer and winter. Summer is designed for temperatures from +5 to +30 degrees. And the winter one can be used in frosts down to -20. It is worth considering that the cylinder itself should not be cooled - according to the instructions, the packaging temperature should not fall below +5.

The same recommendations apply to other types of installation. For example, the answer to the question which polyurethane foam is best for outdoor use is obvious. You should choose only professional cylinders and take into account weather conditions.

Other important characteristics of polyurethane foam

Polyurethane foam may differ in composition. It can be single-component or two-component. The second is less common, but has better qualities - it is stored longer, withstands large temperature changes and hardens faster. In addition, it has less secondary expansion. The fact is that the foam expands twice - the first time immediately after application, and the second time within a few hours after hardening.

Another important characteristic is the flammability class. Polyurethane foams are divided into types:

• flammable
• self-extinguishing
• fire resistant

Most types of polyurethane foam belong to the flammable class. They are marked B3. Such foams should only be used in non-residential premises and outdoor structures.

Self-extinguishing foams of class B2 can be used in residential buildings, as they are fireproof.

Absolutely fire-resistant and the safest - foams marked B1. They are not flammable.

Properties worth paying attention to:

• foam volume (usually indicated on the packaging)
• hardening speed
• expansion after release
• porosity
• no shrinkage after hardening.

All these properties affect the speed and quality of work.

Take all these tips into account and get started! Remember about the types of polyurethane foam, its main properties and fire safety classes. Follow the recommendations - and then you will achieve high-quality and reliable results.

October 14, 2016
Specialization: professional in the field of construction and repair (full cycle of finishing work, both internal and external, from sewerage to electrical and finishing work), installation of window structures. Hobbies: see the column "SPECIALIZATION AND SKILLS"

Many novice craftsmen who want to “reglaze” on their own are interested in which mounting foam for windows is better. There is a universal answer to this question - the one that best suits your requirements and conditions of use is better.

Naturally, for not the most experienced master, such an answer is not enough, so below I will break down this, without exaggeration, wonderful material “piece by piece” and tell you how to choose it and what you need to keep in mind when using it.

Choosing material

Basic properties

So, everyone who plans to install windows knows that polyurethane foam is used primarily to seal the joint between the window and the building envelope. And before we figure out which polyurethane foam is best for PVC windows, we must understand what this material is.

So, we use self-expanding liquid polyurethane as the main sealant. In a pressure cylinder, this substance is in a liquid state, but upon contact with air it hardens quite quickly, while increasing in volume.

The polymerization process is accompanied by the active entrainment of air into the polyurethane mass, due to which the formation of a foam-like structure occurs.

The main properties that allow the use of polyurethane material as a window sealant are as follows:

1. Primary expansion varies, but is always quite impressive. The volume of foam increases several times, which allows filling cavities without much effort on our part. Primary is called an increase in volume before the polymerization of the foam begins.

1. Secondary expansion – varies from 15 to 120% for different brands. It begins after the completion of primary polymerization and continues until complete hardening. The lower this indicator, the more controlled the material behaves, so craftsmen try to minimize secondary expansion as much as possible.

If we neglect this property and blow out a lot at once, then at best we will get deformation of the plastic window under pressure. At worst, a crack in the corner seam or a fastener torn out by the roots.

1. Thermal conductivity due to the large volume of entrained air is quite low, which provides the foam with good thermal insulation properties. In principle, if not for the price, it could be used as a universal insulation material. But - expensive!
2. Adhesion is the ability to stick to materials. Liquid polyurethane has very high adhesion, thanks to which it sticks perfectly to the vast majority of openings - as long as they are more or less clean. Exceptions are polypropylene, polyethylene, Teflon. Well, oil stains on the surface of a brick, concrete or polymer profile seriously reduce adhesion.

1. Viscosity is the state of liquid polyurethane immediately upon exiting the container. Reduced viscosity (foam literally flows) indicates either quality problems or that you are installing windows at temperatures above 350C.

It is these properties that make it possible to use polyurethane foam as a material that fills all the voids between the window structure and the opening.

Types of foam

The compositions used for installing PVC windows can be of different types. Classification usually relies on several factors, so here we will look at the most important aspects.

The most convenient way to do this is using a table:

Sign by which classification is carried out	Varieties and their features
Scope of application	According to this criterion, household and professional compositions are distinguished: household foam is sold in a can, similar to an aerosol, equipped with a special tube for application. Has high secondary expansion, has a smaller output volume, and adheres to surfaces worse . Should be used only for minor repairs, not suitable as a main sealant; professional is also supplied in cylinders, but for its application a special gun is used, which allows you to accurately dose the volumes. The performance characteristics are many times better than those of household ones, but the price is also higher (sometimes significantly)
Number of components	Based on their composition, foams are divided into one- and two-component ones. Two-component materials are extremely rare, because their scope of use is limited to sealing highly loaded structures and other critical components. For residential construction, mass-produced one-component polyurethane foams are quite sufficient.
Cold resistance	Cold resistance, or more precisely, the temperature of use, is a very important parameter on which the adhesion of the foam, the quality of its expansion, and the polymerization time depend. summer - the name is conditional, since it only says that the composition polymerizes at positive temperatures. They can be used in the warm season, but extreme heat (+300C and above) is still not tolerated in the best way - the fluidity of the composition increases due to a decrease in the viscosity of the polyurethane. winter - focused on performing installation work in winter, late autumn and early spring. Capable of maintaining adhesion, expanding and hardening in the cold, but at the same time the container itself must have a positive temperature at the time of application; all-season - an intermediate option that is suitable for almost any conditions. However, there is much more marketing in this. What’s true, because during installations from November to the end of March I use special winter foam (“all-season” may or may not work - do I need it?).
Flammability	One of the important indicators is the ability of foam (polymerized) to resist combustion. This can usually be judged by the markings on the cylinder: B1 – fire-resistant composition that does not ignite upon contact with open fire; B2 is a self-extinguishing material that, with due diligence, can be set on fire, but it will not burn without additional heating or other fuel; B3 – standard flammable foam. It burns worse than wood, but still... For work, you should use products marked B1 - B2. To avoid.

What to choose?

So, we’ve figured out the basic parameters, now let’s decide what kind of foam to use during installation?

1. The first thing we pay attention to is the temperature regime. For spring and autumn we take all-season foam, for winter - winter foam, for the warm season - summer foam (it is the cheapest). There is no point in saving here, since the use of unsuitable material negatively affects the quality and durability of the assembly seam.

1. The next parameter is expiration date. For most brands it is 18 months from the date of manufacture, and this value should not be neglected. Expired foam loses its performance properties unpredictably: its adhesion may deteriorate, or its expansion coefficient may decrease, or all together.
2. Next we calculate the volume. As a rule, foam is supplied in cylinders of 700 - 750 ml, and it can be very difficult to calculate how much foam is used for one window. I recommend making calculations based on the average consumption per linear meter: for a panel house it is 300 ml, for brick – 400-450 ml, for “Stalin” – 500 ml or more. When installing window sills, about 300 ml/m.m. is consumed.

1. There is one more nuance in calculating the volume of foam - the volume of material output indicated on the cylinder. So, when calculating how much foam we need, we should reduce the “normative” value of the output volume promised by the manufacturer by about 30%. The thing is that these indicators are calculated for ideal conditions, which, of course, cannot be achieved in practice. So an extra cylinder definitely won’t hurt, especially since this material is useful in the household and in addition to installing windows .
2. As for foam manufacturers, it is difficult to give unambiguous advice. Most often, the price tag helps to decide which foam is better from those presented on the counter: the higher it is, the more preferable this option is. But, on the other hand, there are good brands in the budget segment. I usually work with Soudal Gun, Tytan Professional, Makroflex, Bau Master - they have never let me down.

If you plan to use the foam yourself, you will need a special gun to apply it. The cheapest disposable model (the plastic body quickly breaks down) will cost about 250–300 rubles, and a good and fairly durable one (like STAYER FoaMax) will cost 700–800.

Professional models costing from 1,300 rubles (such as KRAFTOOL PANTER) will be needed by those who install windows on an ongoing basis - but, on the other hand, such a master himself knows which tool to select!

Using foam correctly

Where is it used?

Everything is more or less clear with the choice of material, now let's look at other questions: how to apply the composition, how to cover the foam after installing plastic windows, how to clean plastic windows from polyurethane foam, etc.

Let's start with a description of the scope:

1. The main task that polyurethane self-expanding foam solves is filling the gap between the window structure and the edge of the window opening. In this case, the layer of polymerized material plays the role of a sealant and heat insulator, retaining a significant part of the heat indoors.
2. In addition to sealing, the foam (partially) serves as a fastener. Due to its high adhesion, it ensures adhesion to both surfaces, and due to expansion, it wedges in the gap, fixing both parts.
3. In addition to these functions, when blown under a window sill board, foam plays the role of support and partial shock absorber. Yes, polymerized polyurethane is not elastic, but at the same time it bends a little under significant force, which protects the window sill from damage under load.

1. In addition to thermal insulation, the porous structure also provides sound insulation. And if when sealing seams this is, so to speak, a “side” result, then when installing drip linings made of galvanized metal, a thin “sausage” of foam applied under the drip strip can seriously reduce the volume of falling drops or the rattling of the part in a strong wind.

To be fair, this effect can be achieved not only with foam. A thin strip of PSUL or foam rubber dampens sound volume just as well. If you don’t have anything like this at hand, just glue two old dish sponges under the tide: the result is similar.

A little material under the tide - and it will be much quieter!

Application for effective sealing

So, our task is now very clearly defined: we need to fill the gap between the frame and the opening with foam. You need to act according to this scheme:

1. After installing the structure, we clean the opening from dust, which inevitably forms during the installation of fasteners. The more dust, the lower the adhesion of polyurethane to the base.
2. To reduce the consumption of polyurethane foam when installing windows, foam cuttings can be placed in the wide gap. Of course, this will slightly reduce the strength of the junction unit. But still, foam is not a fastening element, so the use of foam padding can be allowed.

1. We moisten the installation gap with a spray bottle, after which we install the foam bottle on the gun, blow through the nozzle until a uniform release of material appears and begin filling.

To increase the output volume, shake the container thoroughly. This is also facilitated by warming up the container, especially if installation is carried out in the cold: half an hour in a bucket of warm water - approximately + 20-25% of the usable volume.

1. We apply the foam in small portions, trying to fill the cavity without air pockets or large gaps. It is undesirable to blow out a lot of polyurethane at once - due to secondary expansion, which for cheap brands can reach 100% in volume or more, there is a risk of deforming the frame or bending the window sill.
2. The limiting factor in this case is moisture - this is why we wet the assembly seam. When in contact with water, polyurethane almost stops expanding, due to which the foam becomes denser, forming a homogeneous layer with small pores - higher mechanical strength, better heat and sound insulation.

1. Having applied a layer about 50 mm thick, we moisten the foam from a spray bottle, stopping its expansion in the transverse direction. After one and a half to two minutes, apply the next layer, and so on until the opening is completely filled.
2. After all the cavities are blown out, leave the foam alone until complete polymerization. For different brands of composition, this time period ranges from 6 to 12 hours. Until the foam completely polymerizes, it is advisable not to open the window or subject it to other operational loads - this can lead to creasing of the partially cured polyurethane and a violation of the seal.

1. After 6 - 9 hours, excess foam must be trimmed off. This is done easily with the help of any sharp and thin .

The issue of leveling the window sill is especially worth noting. If the window sill board rests on a layer of foam more than 30 mm thick, then it is advisable to lay oppression on top to prevent secondary expansion and deformation of the plastic. If the foam layer is smaller, or the length of the window sill is less than a meter, then you can do without a load.

What kind of pressure do we usually use? - that's right, three- or five-liter bottles of water. Water in a glass container often acts as a huge lens, so if you don’t want to burn through the new window sill, either place books on top or cover the jars with newspapers.

Polymer foam care

The “fun” begins after application and polymerization. Polyurethane, hardened in air, becomes quite brittle, and when exposed to UV rays it begins to deteriorate, so the question of whether it is necessary to process the cut foam does not even arise. It is necessary, and below I will tell you exactly how:

1. First, let's figure out how to cover the mounting foam on the outside of the window. The easiest way out would be to install flashings - a metal plate painted in the color of the profile. The strip is attached to the frame and to the load-bearing surface, and tightly covers the mounting seam.
2. Another answer to the question of how to seal the foam on the outside is a special tape. Vapor permeability is important for exterior finishing, so polyurethane must be sealed with waterproofing superdiffusion tapes: they protect against precipitation, but do not interfere with the natural ventilation of the installation joint.

If before installation we install a pre-compressed sealing tape (PSUL) on the frame, then after its expansion the installation gap with foam will be closed, and we will not have to look for something to cover the polyurethane with.

1. Finally, the simplest method of protection is painting/plastering. Naturally, both and the plaster mixture must be vapor permeable.

1. It is necessary to decide how to cover the foam indoors at the design stage: it can be plaster, drywall, plastic, etc. Here, as in external work, the use of mounting tapes is encouraged: special materials for internal use can reliably protect the sealing circuit from moisture and destruction.
2. When choosing tapes to protect the foam, you should remember that the instructions suggest using different tapes for dry (cladding) and wet (painting, plastering) finishing.

Foam got into the wrong place - what to do?

Finally, there is one more question that deserves our attention - how to wash polyurethane foam from plastic windows, hands, clothes and other objects. No matter how hard we try, and no matter how carefully we work, polyurethane will appear almost everywhere.

When troubleshooting problems, I advise you to use the information from the table below:

Where did it go?	Fresh foam	Dried foam
Hands	Carefully remove with a sponge or rag, remove the residue with any solvent, and then apply a protective cream.	Carefully cut as close to the skin as possible, and scrape off the remains with sandpaper (by hand, of course, without a sanding machine!). It is completely removed only from the top layer of skin, so you have to wait two to three days.
Cloth	We collect the foam with a spatula, a piece of cardboard or any other object, and wipe off the residue with a solvent. The stains will still remain.	We cut off the foam, clean off large residues, polyurethane stuck between the threads, and dissolve it with various compounds. The likelihood of complete stain removal is even lower than with fresh foam.
PVC profile	In both cases, we carefully remove large fragments, and wipe off the remains either with special napkins or with a foam solvent. If the polyurethane has dried out, you need to take the composition marked “for already installed windows.”
Flooring	Remove with a spatula or a handy object, wipe the area with a sponge soaked in solvent. A wooden surface can be sanded, but it is difficult to save a varnished surface even when using a special composition.	We cut off the foam and sand the remains with fine sandpaper. Then we treat it with either a composition for removing polymer sealant or a Dimexide solution. Stains remain in almost 100% of cases.

In general, special formulations (wipes or sprays) designed specifically for working with polyurethane help best. But they are expensive, so it’s unlikely that anyone will buy such material without professionally installing windows.

Moral: in order not to look for how to wipe foam from a plastic window or other surfaces, you need to be extremely careful. Therefore, until the installation of the structure is completed, you should not remove the protective film from the windows, and the floor and other surfaces should be covered with polyethylene. Well, the clothes should be work clothes: a) you don’t mind them and b) they protect the skin from contact with adhesive material.

Conclusion

What foam to use for the job, how to apply the composition correctly, how to seal the foam after installing plastic windows - I tried to give as detailed answers to all these questions as possible. Well, if you need additional information, I recommend that you study the video materials on the resource pages, as well as ask questions in the comments to the article and on the forum.

It’s still impossible to describe all situations, so I will be ready to help you with the most specific advice!

In the process of repair and construction work, both beginners and professional repairmen and builders invariably deal with such a type of universal insulating material as polyurethane foam (another name for it is single-component foam).

This type of polyurethane sealant perfectly fills any cracks, voids and cavities, and also has such characteristics as heat and sound insulation, low electrical conductivity, moisture resistance, and fire resistance. Cured polyurethane foam becomes hard, porous and light, but at the same time this substance is often very sensitive to ultraviolet radiation, therefore it turns yellow and collapses when exposed to sunlight.

There are several types of this building composition, differing in the principle of use and in relation to the temperature conditions under which repair work is carried out.

1. Professional foam. It is usually used using a special mounting gun. It is distinguished by the density of its composition, and this sealant has almost no secondary expansion. You should never use professional foam for minor home repairs, since its yield from the container is 3 times higher than that of household foam.
2. Semi-professional. This is a household foam that needs to be used at a time, and does not require a gun, since the can is equipped with a tube. The density of the composition is lower than that of professional foam, and the secondary expansion is greater, so this composition is not suitable for serious work, such as installing windows, window sills and doors.
3. Summer composition. They can work at temperatures from +5 to +35 degrees.
4. Winter foam. Its composition differs from summer; the sealant can be used during severe frosts, as it can withstand temperatures down to -20 degrees.
5. All-season. It combines the characteristics of winter and summer and can be used at temperatures from -10 to +30 degrees.
6. Fireproof. On the cans you can see marks - B1, B2, B3. These are designations for the flammability of a material, where B1 is fireproof, B2 is self-extinguishing, and B3 is a flammable substance. Of course, type B1 is preferable, which has a special fire-fighting composition and retains all its properties at high temperatures.

How to choose polyurethane foam?

When choosing a sealant, you should focus on several basic requirements for foam:

• Elasticity. The higher the quality of the foam, the more elastic it is;
• Shrinkage. In other words, a decrease in foam upon drying, which should be minimal;
• Structure. The composition must be thick and tenacious enough to adhere well to any surface and not run off;
• Frost resistance. The frozen substance should not crumble or crack at low temperatures if construction and repair work is carried out outside the premises;
• Porosity. The foam should not be too porous, otherwise the heat and sound insulation properties of the material will decrease;
• Extension. As the foam leaves the container, as well as during its complete hardening, the substance expands, which should be minimal. Otherwise, excessive expansion of the foam may, for example, distort the door frame when installing doors;
• Hardening speed. The speed and productivity of work as a whole depends on this indicator.
• Weight. A cylinder with a high-quality undiluted composition should have a mass of approximately 910 grams.

Rating of polyurethane foams

There is a wide variety of types of sealants from different manufacturing companies, but in fact there are not so many compositions that have firmly won positive reviews and popularity among users. Unfortunately, very often there are low-quality compounds that not only fail to cope with their main responsibilities, but are also hazardous to health, as they contain harmful toxins. That is why it is very important to make the right choice, guaranteeing quality repairs without harm to health.

Moment Installation

A very popular company whose polyurethane foam comes in professional and household grades, as well as all-season foam - used at all temperatures. It copes well with its main function - filling voids and sealing seams. Suitable for finishing work. The average cost is 320 rubles.

polyurethane foam Moment Installation

Advantages:

• the composition is dense and homogeneous;
• adheres well to various types of surfaces;
• economical consumption;
• can be used for both internal and external repair work.

Flaws:

• strong secondary expansion;
• low-quality foam is often found;
• not suitable for thermal insulation;
• fragility, darkens and collapses over time.

Another popular manufacturer whose products are highly economical. The polyurethane foam from this company is most often all-season, has good adhesion to building materials, and is also moisture resistant. The composition of the sealant is characterized by homogeneity of mass and shows minimal secondary expansion. Polyurethane foam of this brand is suitable for installing windows and doors, for repairing plumbing, as well as for ordinary sealing of seams and creating sound insulation. The cylinder is convenient because it can be used together with a special gun. The average cost is 200 rubles (for a cylinder with a volume of 0.75 l).

Makroflex polyurethane foam

Advantages:

• good heat and noise insulation;
• the composition is non-toxic;
• long service life;
• fire resistance;
• availability.

Flaws:

• defective products are common;
• when drying, severe shrinkage occurs;
• sensitive to direct sunlight.

The polyurethane foam of this company is gaining popularity due to its quality characteristics and good properties. There are three types - summer, winter (maximum operating temperature -20 degrees) and, produced separately, fire-resistant. Moreover, the composition of the sealant does not contain toxic substances and does not have a pungent odor. The structure of the material is very dense, characterized by a minimal number of pores, due to which shrinkage does not occur after the sealant dries. It dries quickly and, most importantly, evenly. Often used for professional window installation. The average cost of this polyurethane foam is 350 rubles.

Soudal polyurethane foam

Advantages:

• high quality;
• ability to work at low temperatures;
• high foam yield;
• good waterproofing performance;
• shows weak secondary expansion;
• adheres well to various types of surfaces.

Flaws:

• does not tolerate sun exposure well (it is necessary to cover the hardened foam with paint to protect it from ultraviolet radiation, otherwise it will darken and crack over time).

MAXFORTE SoundFlex

Our rating includes the new generation polyurethane foam MAXFORTE SoundFlex, which is designed specifically for soundproofing window and door installation joints, elastic filling of expansion joints in building structures, cracks and voids. It has a high density and low expansion. SoundFlex foam has an increased level of elasticity and the ability to stretch and restore its original shape after compression. The product provides a significant reduction in the vibration load between building structures and becomes a damping layer that dampens vibrations. Average price 590 rub.

Soundproofing foam Maxforte SoundFlex

Advantages:

• The foam takes its original shape at any degree of compression (up to 75%);
• Increased elasticity without damaging the structure;
• High product density;
• Polyurethane foam with a very high degree of adhesion to building materials such as concrete, wood, metal and artificial surfaces;
• First-class vibroacoustic properties: vibration reduction up to 90%;
• Application temperature from -10°C to +35°C;
• Sound insulation of seams 65 dB (10 mm seam).

Flaws:

• Does not tolerate exposure to ultraviolet rays well.

Another brand whose popularity is gaining momentum. The polyurethane foam of this company has a lot of positive reviews, it is chosen by beginners and professionals, and praised by those involved in home repairs and construction. The sealant is distinguished by its density and uniformity of composition, shows a large output volume, and secondary expansion is reduced to the minimum possible. It is reliable, suitable for the installation of serious structures, and perfectly fills cavities, gaps and seams. Since the composition has no odor, working with it is comfortable and pleasant. There is also a special type of this sealant for foam plastic, which is a cross between polyurethane foam and glue. The average cost is 220 rubles.

Penosil polyurethane foam

Advantages:

• reliability and high quality;
• there is no shrinkage when the material hardens;
• large output volume;
• has a white tint;
• Ideal for interior renovation work.

Flaws:

• not very well suited for outdoor work;
• does not tolerate temperatures below -5 degrees;
• in hot weather (from +35 degrees and above), the sealant does not foam and flows over the surface.

A very popular polyurethane foam, which has earned first place in the number of positive reviews from professional repairmen and builders. It is characterized by high efficiency and quality. Available in two types - a winter version, and with increased fire resistance. The structure of the composition is dense, fine, retains volume, shrinkage during hardening does not occur, as well as secondary expansion. Thanks to such useful properties, the sealant performs well when installing windows and doors, repairing heating and water supply systems, and performing thermal insulation work. The average cost is 230 rubles.

Titan O2 polyurethane foam

Advantages:

• the composition of the polyurethane foam does not contain toxic ingredients;
• the sealant has good adhesion to all building materials;
• perfect for interior work;
• Using this polyurethane foam you can install pipes.

Flaws:

• does not tolerate exposure to ultraviolet rays;
• When used for outdoor work, it shows fragility.

Which polyurethane foam did you like?

Poll Options are limited because JavaScript is disabled in your browser.

19.03.2018

Popular manufacturing companies

Despite the variety of products offered by the market, there are not so many manufacturers of truly high-quality polyurethane foam. Unfortunately, there are many more companies producing low-quality sealants without the use of technological knowledge and equipment that meets modern standards.

High popularity

1. The Soudal company has factories in countries such as Belgium, Slovenia, and Poland. The polyurethane foam from this company has a good structure, yield volume, is durable, does not darken or crack over time.
2. Estonian manufacturer Krimelte (products of the Penosil brand) - good value for money, as well as a variety of sealant options for different occasions.
3. Trademark TITAN – from the manufacturer Orion (Spain, Türkiye, Poland). The products of this company foam well and do not have secondary expansion, but after a year they begin to deteriorate.

Average popularity

1. The moment of installation is inexpensive and high-quality products with low toxicity.
2. Ultima - has an affordable price, is easy to use, but at the same time has a low level of efficiency.
3. Axton - odorless, hardens quickly, but has poor adhesion and high porosity of the structure.

Polyurethane foam with low popularity

1. Makroflex (from the Estonian company Henkel) is inexpensive, hardens quickly, but foam consumption is uneconomical, the composition does not tolerate ultraviolet radiation, and also has a high level of expansion.
2. Greflex does a good job of sealing, but the composition often contains additional undesirable impurities.
3. Boxer is a budget polyurethane foam for home repairs, not suitable for outdoor use.

Areas of application of polyurethane foam

So, the use of polyurethane foam, as already seen, is quite wide, it is:

• insulation and sealing;
• insulation of premises (sealing cavities and cracks with foam);
• sealing cracks in the roof;
• filling cavities around various structures, door frames, window openings, as well as fixing window and door blocks;
• filling voids and cracks at bends or joints, as well as around water and heating pipes;
• gluing insulating, insulating and other materials to walls;
• sound insulation (including treatment of bathtubs to avoid unnecessary noise during use);
• boat repair (sealing holes and cracks).

The modern market offers a wide variety of polyurethane foam, differing in scope and conditions of use. It is best to opt for the highest quality material, which will not only provide comfort during work, but also guarantee reliability and durability.