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I currently have 6/6 and 8/8 ssb double hung windows with aluminum triple track storm windows. The windows are in very good shape, however with a new paint job on the house the triple tracks look very out of place. I would like to build new wooden storm panels and screen panels, but I would like some advice as to how to construct them, how to glaze them , and any idea where to look for mounting hardware? any info would be greatly appreciated.
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I just ran into a job similar to this in Newburyport, MA. The house is historic (1765) and has triple tracks that the homeowners hates with a passion. His concerns were similar to yours. I sold him on the idea of taking weatherstripped storm panels which only project 5/16 and attaching them directly to the casing with screws. White trim white frame they'll disapear. In the summer we'll switch out the storms for screens.
*I replaces my triple tracks with Marvin's Alpine - a wood combination storm. There literature may make it look like they only sell them for their own double hungs but not so. My large windows ran about $80 unit primed.
*WBA At Your ServiceEric, The mounting hardware can be purchased from Stanley. Check out their full catalog from a local supplier. As far as construction, normally the frames are made the same thickness as your exterior casing which is normally 5/4 or 1 1/8". Choose wood such as Spanish Cedar for the frames and then decide whether you want each frame to hold screening, glass or both. The glass only and screen only units have the glass or screen held in by wood stops. The combination type frames you would build would have a separate screen panel and a separate storm panel that has a narrow aluminum band around it like the ones on your current house. Just the removable panel gets swapped at the change of season.Bill, I have seen these units and was always curious about them. Are the frames solid or fingerjointed material ?
*WBA At Your ServiceEric, The mounting hardware can be purchased from Stanley. Check out their full catalog from a local supplier.Bill, I have seen these units and was always curious about them. Are the frames solid or fingerjointed material ?
*Eric,I build wood storms and screens as a sideline for my cabinetmaking business. Most are built for older houses where the aluminum combination units just don't look right. As already noted above, 5/4" stock is generally used and the hardware is available through Stanley (National Hardware also makes screen hangers but I don't like the design quite as well). I buy long and wide 5/4" commom pine. Despite all of the knots, you'll wind up with quite a few clear pieces since most of the frame needs to be only around 2" wide. Also, pine will last a long time in a vertical application like this if kept painted. I use mortise and tenon joints to construct the storms and screens which I make as separate units.While I believe that wood storms and screens look much better on an older house, you might want keep in mind that they'll be a good deal more expensive than the aluminum combination units even if you build them yourself. Also, they are heavy once the glass is added and that can be a problem above the ground floor. I didn't mind changing mine every fall and spring when I was 30 but they seem to get heavier as I approach my mid-50s.
*Solid pine, mortise and tenon joints. Pine is treated and primed. The storm sash slides in tracks; all three (top and bottom storm and bottom screen) are removable from inside; you can buy a second screen for top if you want; I thought price was competitive with good aluminum (what does one of those cost?); sure looks nicer on our old house.
*I'm not familiar with the units that Bill is talking about. But, at $80 each, that may be the way to go. A separate wood storm and a screen which I make would total 5-6 times that price for each average size window. Even if you make them yourself, the material costs would probably be around $80 for each window. I'm not sure what an aluminum combination unit costs these days but I would guess around $150.
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I currently have 6/6 and 8/8 ssb double hung windows with aluminum triple track storm windows. The windows are in very good shape, however with a new paint job on the house the triple tracks look very out of place. I would like to build new wooden storm panels and screen panels, but I would like some advice as to how to construct them, how to glaze them , and any idea where to look for mounting hardware? any info would be greatly appreciated.