How to cover the exterior gap around window to hide foam caulk

Question

I just replaced a window. I have an ugly gap between the window and the brick. I've filled it with foam caulk as insulation, but now I need to cover it up so it looks good.

We had other windows professionally installed. The professionals covered the gap with some plastic thing—not sure what it is called. If I knew what it was called, I could search for it to buy it for the window I installed.

How to cover up the gap?

(Sorry for the poor pictures.)

Answer 1

Thin plastic strips can be purchased from most diy outlets. Otherwise, find a local pvc window manufacturer, who will undoubtedly stock strips which their own fitters will use for situations such as this.

Answer 2

What about water?

You should have had some flashing there to catch water behind the brick or dripping down the brick and direct it in front of the window, so it won't crawl in. The foam should be behind the flashing. If you want to be meticulous, watch these videos especially the last couple about flashing and finishing.

If you don't want to go back and do all that, I think you should

1. cut the foam back into the gap to make room for caulk
2. Fill the gap, in front of the foam, with caulk
3. Glue an L-shaped PVC drip strip to the underside of the brick opening, not to the window, to catch water dripping down the wall and keep it away from your gap.

That's not "the way" to flash a window but it's better than having water attacking your foam-filled gap.