Insulation

[M]

I bought a 2002 Commodore Libra Series home and kept feeling air coming from the front door. When I took the trim off, I could see clean through to the outside. I was curious, so I also removed the trim from the windows, and low and behold, there was no insluation! What should I do? Should I try to get the manufacturer to fix it?

Thanks, m

[rmurray]

You can try....It seems that the spaces for the windows and doors must be slightly larger than they should be...I would think that this space should be caulked to keep air from flowing...

Of course you can do this with little effort...but I would try the plant first...

[Mac]

I would talk to the plant. With most windows, a round foam strip 1/4 to 1/2" in diameter, known as backer board, is installed to seal this gap. Cheap site builders sometimes use spray foam to do this in spite of the window manufacturers' warnings against warpage. They may have either missed it, or might intentionally not do it (see below). As to sealing - Pros: your house will be better insulated. Cons: It will be tightly sealed, so you will need to make sure there are periodic air changes.
Did your house come with a whole-house ventilation system? If so, it was intended to be sealed. If not, there is some intentional leakage.

[david]

I had the same problem only worse! I kept feeling a draft while painting around the crown molding in a closet. Removed the crown molding and found a 3/4" gap the went all the way out to the eve about 6-7feet in length. The gap around the door and window is for rough opening fit, but should be covered with trim inside and out and calked or foamed to fill the gap. I called commodore and they had the local company come "patch it up". I have had many other problems with my house that quality control should have caught in the factory! I'm not really happy! Thrown together quickly!