Replies

1. 
   DanH | Apr 27, 2011 08:11pm | #1

   There are lots of different types of storm windows.  Are these sliding "double-hung" storms, so that a screen can be exposed in half the window, or are they full size storms that can't be opened?  Also, how are they attached?

   In general, your classical "aluminum storm window" is a "double-hung" storm/screen that is more or less permanently screwed into place via the outside flange.  These are not intended to be removed, though you may, if you want more airflow, remove the sashes by manipulating fasteners on the inside (though you generally lose the screen function if you do this).

   Removable storms are styled more or less after the old classical wood storms and have hooks at the tops that hook onto brackets permanently installed above the window, with some sort of latch at the bottom to hold the storm closed.  These are generally designed to be removed and replaced with matching screens in warmer weather.

   But there are other styles as well.  Eg, there are storms that are hinged at the top and which can be pushed out like an awning window.  And there are storms that combine the "aluminum storm window" frame with a full-size sash that is intended to be removed and replaced with a screen sash in warmer weather.

1. 
   jyang949 | Apr 29, 2011 08:17am | #3

   There are permanently attached frames with three tracks to hold two windows (not thermal) and a screen. The tracks have notches to allow the windows to be held open. (The track for the screen also has notches, which seems unnecessary, but I guess it's just easier to make all the tracks the same.) The track for the inner window has two weep holes.

   The windows and screens are about half the height of the entire window opening. They have little metal projections at the corners to ride in the tracks. The lower projections are spring-loaded to fit the notches in the frame.

   There are some metal loops in the wooden sill (or whatever it's called) between the old and new windows. Painted over so many times, the holes have closed. Those must have been for the old storms you described. 

   By the way, the wood between old and new has obvious water damage. If there are no weep holes, does that mean the storms are supposed to stay in place all the time, to prevent rain from getting in? Or maybe there are weep holes somewhere, but they got painted over.

   Janet

1. 
   DanH | Apr 29, 2011 04:11pm | #5

   That sounds like your classical "aluminum storm".  They are intended to be left in place, with the bottom storm sash slid up and latched in warm weather (though occasionally it's easier to remove the moving storm sash rather than slide it up and latch it).

   There should be weep holes of some sort at the bottom to allow any water that gets into the space between storm and the main window to drip out.  Sometimes this is accomplished merely by having the corners of the aluminum frame not seal tightly, but it's better to have two or three weep holes drilled in the Al frame right at the bottom, or have "ripples" pre-stamped in the bottom edge of the outer frame to create the holes.  These can all easily get painted over, of course, or clogged with trash, so you need to check them once or twice a year.

2. 
   Scott | Apr 29, 2011 01:16am | #2

   My parents always took them off for summer, but they were obsessed with cleaning them. If you're not, I'd be inclined to leave them on, or clean them and replace them, especially if you need to run A/C in the summer. They are a form of insulation against heat loss or heat gain.

1. 
   jyang949 | Apr 29, 2011 08:40am | #4

   I feel guilty running the A/C just for myself, so it gets turned on when the kid comes home in the afternoon. 

   When it's just me at home, I leave the windows open--although I wonder sometimes if it's better to keep them closed against the outside air, and use fans.

   Janet