I need to replace storm windows and want to build them myself.
Any suggestions for wood other than pine? Maple maybe if I’m willing to pay the price? I don’t want to replace the storms in another ten years because of rot.
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Replies
Wood windows perform well energy-wise. It's just the maintenance and the seasonal install/removal ritual that turns folks off.
Maple is a terrible choice for weather resistance. Worse than pine.
How about cedar? Pricey around here, but your labor is worth something.
Doug fir is pretty good too if you can get good quality clear grain stuff.
Soaking the endgrain in epoxy is good insurance. That's where they fail first.
Joints are the next vulnerability. Epoxy again, or urethane glue. Some folks use marine or polyurethane caulk, but I like the 'soak in' benefits of the thinner products.
Cypress. Of the ones that are easy to find, cedar and pine. Even pressure treated, though it's not pretty and hard to paint. The plastic imitation wood is good. A bit more expense, but it doesn't rot and doesn't need paint. Aluminum is also good. Not all that expensive. But, you should get a quote first for custom storm windows. They can get the materials much cheaper and you may find it about the same price to buy them as to build them.