Sealing storm windows

Stan in Oly, WA · Oct 4, 2015

My house has storm windows which probably date back to about 1960. Aluminum trimmed panes of glass fit into permanently attached aluminum frames. The problem is that the units are not airtight, but no aluminum to aluminum surfaces can be insulated or the panes won't fit. Is there any kind of caulk which I could put on the joints after the units are in place which would peel off the aluminum easily the next time I need to take any of the panes off? Except for annual cleaning and ten year interval (m/l) painting, the storm windows stay in place all the time.

Stan

showcrop · Oct 4, 2015

Are they old and the sides bowed out in the middle? If so tighten them up by putting AL strips across at the middle, you won't need sealer then.

Dusty MI · Oct 4, 2015

I think that I saw something like that a few years ago.

a49deere · Oct 4, 2015

storm windows were never intended to be perfectly air tight. If they were or you want them to be ,your going to have a condensation problem and never be able to see out in winter

showcrop · Oct 4, 2015

A49 Deere is right, but the fog will also cause your wood sash to rot. I have some old storms that bow out and the sliders are loose, then some that must be newer because they have a cross tie strip.

Leroy · Oct 4, 2015

I think what you are looking for is called rope caulk. Works on wood as well. Leaky windows just press strip in place to stop air leaks and in spring when you want to open window just peal it off. And some of my storm windows are air tight alumnium.

Billy NY · Oct 5, 2015

Another one would be sealant backer rod, if you have a gap that will accept this material, its round and will compress in, you can leave a small tail to grab onto when removing. It comes in many diameters too. H-D usually has it, calls it caulk saver, but its a commercial building material for sealant backing on exteriors where there are sealant joints.

The problem with those era storm windows is fit and there is no thermal break, meaning they conduct or thermally transfer. Ideally, a modern window of good design would take care of that problem. Commercial aluminum windows are thermally broken,(you can see where when looking in section at the frames) and would likely have insulated glass, cold climate areas will.

But of course that is inconsequential to the question, as I am sure you are trying to make these work, see if you can find backer rod, or any similar bulb type weather stripping if the gap you have will work, these will stop lots of air infiltration without much effort to install.

rustyfarmall · Oct 5, 2015

If you can afford to do so, replace those old, single pane windows with new construction double pane windows. Not just inserts, but the whole thing. You can then toss those aluminum storm windows on the recycling heap. You won't need them, and your house will be much easier to heat than it is now.

stonerock · Oct 5, 2015

if there bowed out in the middle adjust your jamb-jacks, that's what there for

Leroy · Oct 5, 2015

I bought the new window with the aluminm storm factory installed. I think that the storm pays for itself even if you have the double pane glass, I have some without the storm and If I can find the money they are getting the storms installed.

Stan in Oly, WA · Oct 6, 2015

rustyfarmall;

What do you mean when you say "Not just inserts, but the whole thing."? By "inserts" do you mean insulated glass units replacing the glass of single glazed units using the same wooden sashes, or do you mean whole window assemblies, such as vinyl double hung units, which can be fit into existing windows using much of the existing trim after the wooden sashes and exterior and center stops are removed?

Stan

Sealing storm windows

Stan in Oly, WA

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showcrop

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Dusty MI

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a49deere

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showcrop

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Leroy

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Billy NY

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rustyfarmall

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stonerock

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Leroy

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Stan in Oly, WA

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