Finishing and sealing surround for windows and doors

Long story short: I instructed a company to put in new windows and doors. They did most of it but it was quite sloppy and in a few areas they haven't finished. I'm unable to get them to come back to finish it off so I'm looking at finishing it off in DIY fashion.

There's two windows where there is a large-ish gap between the frame and the wall on the inside in which it sits. I can feel a draught coming from the gap. Here's an example:


Can I fill this with some expanding foam in a can? Cut it down to be level and then just attach a window sill and trim on the other sides?

The other issue is the frame around the rear door. It's a full glass door (the frame is Smart branded). Here's an example picture:


It's a bit hard to tell from the photo but the inner white tape is on the door, the door frame is then the black border outside this, but then the outer white tape is also the frame but it is set back a bit from the rest of the frame. I feel this needs to be finished as it is an ugly big gap.

What's the best way to fill this? Is it with expanding foam, silicon or something else? And then is this covered up with some trim?

Grateful for any thoughts or suggestions

feel a draught coming from the gap.

Click to expand...

Get them back.

And provide a photo from the outside.

Right I'm slightly confused as to why they left it like this? If you paid for fitting ( and not ' First Fix ' ) then this should have been included, any reputable fitters would have finijshed it off . If the words 'First Fix ' were mentioned or written down on your paperwork then the fitter is working on the fact that he will remove and install but not make good ( we occasionally get customers who wish to do the finishing off themselves so get a cheaper price )

The window , you'll be lucky to get expanding foam in that size gap ( especially if you are using a can and not a tradesman ' gun ' ). That gap should be sealable with caulk or silicone, you could put a small trim over it afterwards if you wished .

The door , i'm even more confused as to what bit you are asking to fill? I think you are meaning where the frame is touching the wall? If so , if the gap is over 5mm than using a trade ' gun ' to apply foam you should be able to fill it with foam ( spray cans aren't controllable enough ), then you could just trim over the top. If less then 5mm than caulk or silicone , and to tidy the uneven bits up , a thin trim. BUT cut that tape off the door frame first , installer should have removed that before putting door frame behind plaster . If you do it before 'finishing off' then it will be much easier and neater , and the caulk/silicone/foam will seal to the frame rather than the tape

I hope you have not paid them.

Then they should come back soon.

You can use expanding foam - I would. The foam insulates. Otherwise you will have lots of cold spots. The long plastic nozzle will get in there, just crack the plaster off a little. Use water from a spray bottle to control the foam and stop it expanding out too much.

Swwils said:

Get them back.

And provide a photo from the outside.

Click to expand...

Looks like someone didn't read the first paragraph of the opening post. I'll paste it here for you: "I'm unable to get them to come back to finish it off"

noobiediyer said:

Looks like someone didn't read the first paragraph of the opening post. I'll paste it here for you: "I'm unable to get them to come back to finish it off"

Click to expand...

If a draught is comming through the gap then they have not installed the windows properly. Regardless of the state of the finish.

Swwils said:

If a draught is comming through the gap then they have not installed the windows properly. Regardless of the state of the finish.

Click to expand...

My question wasn't just about finishing but also about the sealing. I mentioned using expanding foam, others have also mentioned this as this would insulate. Don't want to get into the details but the company are not coming back to finish this so I need to complete it in DIY fashion. Expanding foam seems to be the best option for the windows (I'll have to get something with a very small nozzle to get into the gap). I'll then cut back the excess and hide it all with some PVC trim.

Not sure what to do about the gap around the door frame. It's uneven around all sides. Overall, a very poor quality job by the company who did it. I'm now trying to complete it in DIY fashion the best I can with the skills I have.

You need to first check the windows are installed in the correct place.

Then you need to check they are the correct size.

Swwils said:

You need to first check the windows are installed in the correct place.

Then you need to check they are the correct size.

Click to expand...

Size from outside and inside looks okay to me. It's just the gap on the interior side between the frame and the wall that needs to be filled and then finished.

If the aluminium Frame is the door, then you could really do with filler and sand back to smooth.

It will be a shame to have beading on a modern frame.

Get some Toupret filler, and flexible filler blade, mix up small amounts and fill the gaps.

If budget allows get a mirka hand sander, link to hoover and gently sand back any knobbly bits. You’ll be able to get it smooth, then just paint.

I've decided to get this foam gun (https://www.screwfix.com/p/no-nonsense-pu-foam-applicator-gun/6831h) to help fill the gaps around the window frames. I thought foam was just foam but there seems to be dozens of choices from different types of adhesion and whether it is low or high expansion etc. Can anyone recommend me a suitable foam to fill gaps between brickwork and a UPVC window frame. I don't want to the frame to buckle so I'm guessing I need a low expansion foam that is fairly good thermal and acoustic insulated.

Even better if it's a product on Screwfix as I can pick it up at the same time as the foam gun.

TIA