Replies

1. 
   DonCanDo | Jan 10, 2006 05:03am | #1

   The manufacturer of the windows in my house does not offer a storm window, has anyone ever fabricated their own ( plexaglass)? I have a pretty obvious air infiltration through the glass panes. The house is only 3 years old.

   Funny you should ask.  I just had a customer ask me to do just this.  Their house is closer to 100 years old, so their excuse is a bit better.

   I haven't bid the job yet, but the plexiglass (acutally, Lexan) that I'm planning on using is very expensive.  About $100.00 for 4X8 sheet.  If I do it, I will simply make a frame with a groove to set the Lexan into.  Paint the frame and secure it with some kind of clips (to be determined)

   They need 5 large storm windows.  I will be bidding almost $1,000.00.  I don't expect them to go for it.

   -Don

1. 
   inthenew | Jan 11, 2006 05:59am | #12

   $1000.00 is only a few monthes of natural gas bills here lately, try to sell them on up front cost, savings in the long run.I've found in my last few jobs that homeowners seem to need someone to trust and guide them, forget the bottom line!!!

2. 
   junkhound | Jan 10, 2006 05:21am | #2

   1. Pls. fill in your profile, others may possibly advise on surplus outlets in your area.

   2.  What type windows?  Helps a bunch if the outside frame is smooth and flat all aorund. 

   3. are you willing to search surplus sites on the web?

    

   OK after that, as example, have gotten 4x6 ft sheets of 1/8' thick  polycarbonate (better than plexiglas) for $8 a sheet surplus.  You should have no trouble  finding 1/4 inch by 1/8" thick rubberized ferrite magnetic strips for less than 50 cent/s per foot surplus.  Surplus 3/4 " wide by 1/32" steel banding is free in most dumpsters at HD or Lowes.

   Your proceedure:  Attach the steel banding with contact cement to the window frame.  You can paint to match.  Most of the magnetic strip stuff has adhesive on the back side, attach that to your surplus poly carb. storm window by simply sticking it on, do it all the way around to provide sealing.  Simply stick the window in place magnetically then. Simple double back tape is another option.   

   If you do a good job of scouting the surplus places and DIY labor, you should be able to do the job for less than $20 per window easy, if a true DIY, less than $10, not counting labor and time finding the sources of course.

   Oh, btw, I've never seen infiltration "thru the glass", do you have leaky seals or just feeling cold air convecting off the  only 3 YO windows? 

1. 
   inthenew | Jan 11, 2006 05:42am | #10

   I like the way you think! Less expensive materials a little know how, and a lot of elbow grease. I will fill out my profile.

3. 
   PeteVa | Jan 10, 2006 05:31am | #3

   If you live near a city of any size and have a large glass shop that does storm window repair they will more than likely also be equipted to make you windows of any size and offer different styles. Here is Va we have many offering that service.

   Also check 'hollow metal fabricators'

   
   

   ---

   Edited 1/9/2006 9:33 pm ET by PeteVa

1. 
   brownbagg | Jan 10, 2006 05:50am | #5

   large glass shop that does storm window repair they will more than likely also be equipted to make you windows of any size one of my first jobs was making storm windows out of alumimum frames. But could not compete with the box stores. 2+3=7

4. 
   omnimax | Jan 10, 2006 05:32am | #4

   Not sure if this is what you had in mind. 

   http://www.hammerzone.com/archives/energy/conservation/basics_1/window_cover.htm

1. 
   inthenew | Jan 11, 2006 06:15am | #13

   Great web site ? Thanks

5. 
   Jer | Jan 10, 2006 06:15am | #6

   Yes, I made 25 large wooden storms for an Arts & Crafts estate in Tuxedo Park NY many years ago.   I believe they were mahogany and I used a sash cope & stick bit set in my router table. I found a source for the old hangers and even numbered them like the origionals.  The guy even had me make a storage rack for them in his basement.  That was a fun job as I recall.

   I don't think these types of windows sound like what you want though.  Would you want aluminum? 

1. 
   SHG | Jan 11, 2006 02:27pm | #14

   I had 58 storm windows made from mahogany.  Great windows, but what a hump to change.  They weigh a ton.  Look great, built like a brick sh!thouse, but the changeover every fall and spring is a major production.  I only change about 20 to screens only to keep the work down.

   SHGFor every complex problem, there is a solution that is clear, simple, and wrong.

   -H.L. Mencken

6. 
   joeh | Jan 10, 2006 06:30am | #7

   Inthenew house that leaks, what kind of windows are they?

   Why do they leak air?

   It is NOT coming through the glass.

   It is coming through a defective window or a hack job install.

   Joe H

1. 
   jimblodgett | Jan 10, 2006 06:40am | #8

   If I was going to build storms, no way I'd use plexiglass.  Scratches too easilly and gets cloudy.  A few years and they won't be transparent, they'll be translucent.

   Bite the bullet, invest in glass. Or you'll (or whoever owns the house by then) will just be redoing them in a few years.  TIPI,TIPI,TIPI!

1. 
   junkhound | Jan 10, 2006 07:10am | #9

   Jim has an excellent point and is absolutely correct as to use glass instead of either lexan or acrylic. 

   Besides, you can often get real actual glass free at garage sales!  Plus you then have the old aluminum frames to sell as scrap at the recyclers. How'd I forget to tell that the first time.

   I do have polycarbonate as both inner and outer layers on my own basement windows, scratches not a bother there and they dont break from softballs or lawnmower rocks either.

2. 
   inthenew | Jan 11, 2006 05:51am | #11

   The windows are made by Seigel's a local supply/lumber/trim yard. From talking to a salesman they led me to belive the windows the builder bought where bottom of the barrel. The windows themselves are vinyl clad all around, couldn't tell you specifics on the glass ( 2nd owner). More than lilkly a hack job is correct, but you can certainly fell a temperature difference @ the glass almost a cold spot.

1. 
   joeh | Jan 11, 2006 06:39pm | #15

   The salesman suggest the storms that they don't make?

   Did they come and look at your home, or just blow you off?

   Joe H