Replies

1. 
   Chip_Tam | Feb 16, 2001 01:18pm | #1

   *
   Chris,

   I build wood storms and screens as a sideline in my cabinetmaking business. I buy long and wide 5/4" common pine. Because the stiles and rails are fairly narrow you can get quite a few clear pieces from a typical board despite all of the knots and checks. Pine will last quite a long time if kept painted. I have some on my house which date from the 1920's.

1. 
   Kevin_Getchell | Feb 16, 2001 05:00pm | #2

   *I used poplar to build a prototype. I had intended to replace all the old aluminum tripetracks on my house.I believe I got the suggestion of wood type and design info from a FH issue. (cant recall the issue)It can out nice. Painted up nicely and has taken several winters pretty well.

1. 
   tom_HAGARTY | Feb 16, 2001 06:48pm | #3

   *Chip: I am looking for wooden storms with a fixed top glass panel and a removable bottom panel, glass for winter screen for summer. Is this something you do or could do?

1. 
   Madison's_dad | Feb 16, 2001 07:24pm | #4

   *Do not use poplar for exterior work it will not last!I would use fir if you can get it,in Seattle I can find a lot of VG and MG in odd lots that is cheaper than the preamim stuff.Sorry Kevin I don't mean to be mean but I have seen to much poplar rotting away to let it go.

1. 
   Chip_Tam | Feb 16, 2001 10:18pm | #5

   *Tom,It's not something that I've done or would be interested in doing but it sounds theoretically possible. On the other hand, the frame for the storm window plus the frame you would need for the panel inserts could make the unit look over-built and a bit clunky. Such a system works on a storm door but the stiles are usually much wider on a door. Also, the added time spent in making the inserts might mean that you're not saving much money over getting separate storms and screens. On the other hand, if the inserts were easy to remove you might avoid some back pain every spring and fall.I agree with Madison's dad: Poplar is not a very good choice for exterior projects. With fir, it's a trade-off. You get a bit better natural decay resistance than with pine but you also get the added weight. The average size storm window is already pretty heavy.

2. 
   Madison's_dad | Feb 16, 2001 10:33pm | #6

   *I never thought about weight out hear the only pine you can get is from Home Desperait and its only good for round windows.My moms house in Boston has these neat hooks at the top of the window and hook and eye's on the inside bottom on warm spring days you can open the window un hook the bottom of the storm and push it open with a handy stick to get fresh air

3. 
   Rob_Synakowski | Feb 22, 2001 06:02pm | #7

   *Does anyone know where I might find the hardware for wooden storm windows? I'm thinking of the brackets that attach to the tops of the storms and also the hardware that attaches to the inside bottom to hold the windows open a few inches.Any suggestions would be appreciated.

4. 
   Chip_Tam | Feb 22, 2001 07:05pm | #8

   *Rob,Stanley and National Hardware both make the storm/screen hanger brackets which attach to the top. I prefer the Stanley version but it's getting hard to find Stanley hardware at the local hardware store. In my area, most stores have switched over to the National brand. I've seen those bottom brackets on older storms but I'm not sure where you can find them today. Another alternative for getting a bit of fresh air on those warm spring days is to put a rounded-off rectangular hole in the bottom rail. You can then put a 1/2" wood cover plate on the insude of the rail. Several years ago, FHB had an article on making wood storm windows and showed this technique.

5. 
   Kevin_Getchell | Feb 22, 2001 11:27pm | #9

   *MD...Dont worry about the critisism...As I said Poplar was a prototype on my part. Taken , I'm fairly sure right from the pages of Fine Homebuilding. (I may be wrong about that though).Fir has been the traditional wood for doors and windows for sure.

6. 
   Tim_Kline | Feb 22, 2001 11:57pm | #10

   *b WBA At Your ServiceSpanish Cedar, a cousin of mahogany. Your local mill will carry it. I would recommend a dust mask during machining, it leaves an odd metallic taste in your mouth.

7. 
   Bill_Conner | Feb 24, 2001 06:16am | #11

   *Tom - Marvin makes what you describe - their alpine combo storm. Its a wood frame with two glass panels and one screen. Lower glass is in a track rabbeted into frame. I replaced all the tripple tracks on my 1904 four square with these and they look and work great. When I bought them about 5 years ago, a primed unit in a standard large (say 36 X 52) size was $75-80. I had to plane edges about 3/32" each side.

2. 
   Chris_Baker | Feb 24, 2001 06:16am | #12

   *
   I am going to make new storm windows for my sister's turn of the century house in Milwaukee WI, I was wondering what the best type of wood would be to do this.