Cost Effective Weatherization of Old Windows…..
wrkrwood
| Posted in Energy, Heating & Insulation on
I just restored a few old windows and plan to weatherize the jambs with some v seal weatherstrip. I’m sure it’s not the best, but it’s pretty cheap. Only problem is that it won’t stick to the jamb and hold. I’ve cleaned the surface as recommended, but still not a good stick. Should I also use small nails to help hold them? Many thanks in advance.
-ww
Replies
Hard to say why it doesn't stick. Could be just bad weatherstrip, could be the surface, and (not likely for another month or two) it could be too cold.
If you feel the quality of the weatherstrip is good, try cleaning the surface, first with detergent and water (be sure to rinse), then with a brisk wiping with rubbing alcohol. This will work with most finishes.
But note that if the surface that you're applying the weatherstripping to is porous wood (where whatever finish was there has flaked off) then adhesion will be poor. You need a smooth, clean finish for good adhesion.
If you can't get good adhesion and you need to tack in place weatherstripping then you should get some designed to be tacked. Brass (plated) weatherstripping would be the traditional choice here, but there are plastic styles designed for tacking.
No matter what you do, that glue won't hold for long.
That V-strip stuff can be very effective, I used lots of it, until I discovered the stuff from (I think) Restoration Tech. Their stuff does require dissasembly and routing, I am using it to re-do doors that got the vinyl v-strip 12 years ago.
Like the others have said, remove any loose paint, clean with alchohol, then press into place with a block and some force.
Then put some 1/4" crown staples at least 1/2" long into it to hold it permanently. If necessary, use a wood block and hammer to ensure that the staples don't sit proud of the weatherstrip. Now, the stuff doesn't move at all.
Good luck.
I commend you for doing this. I refurbished 22 large double hung windows in my home 13 years ago. It was a hateful job and despite my time and effort I was and continue to be pretty unhappy. Sure the windows look good (original) and they perform thermally well (not drafts etc) but with the storms they are impossible to clean, they don't operate all that well, and in general I'm not happy with their overall performance as windows. I think we are going to change them with better grade repalcements inserted into the existing frames, with better quality glass units and covered exteriors so they don't require exterior paint.
Part of my frustration was rerouting the frames for better seals and weather stripping. Ruined a few bits and said a few nasty words. Why would anyone have put finishing nails close to the bottom edge of a window frame. Grrrrr.
You have a point
I stopped rebuilding 80 y.o. double hung windows as soon as I found out how easy and inexpensive (and effective) it was to simply pull the sashes out and pop in a replacement window.
On the other hand, the 80 y.o. front door is a keeper and worth the effort to rebuild the weather stripping. Oh, wait, there never was any original weather stripping, so I guess that this is not a rebuild either.
Good luck.