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Community and Q&A

Making Storm Windows

John Michelotti| Posted inEnergy Efficiency and Durabilityon

Contemplating purchasing some storm windows.
I have bought a few from the box stores.

New wood storms are about $400, or $200 knocked down.
From a box store about 100-150.
Aside from Larson or Provia, who else is making storms? Can I only get aluminum?

I was going to try to make wood ones but my local CC woodworking shop is backed up from the pandemic.

The Larsen is a whole lot better then nothing, but it shouldn’t be that difficult to make a window with better weather stripping and a bit of a thermal break.

thanks

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Replies

  1. GBA Editor
    Kiley Jacques||#1

    I've attached a Fine Homebuilding article on how to make wood storm windows. It's an oldie but goodie. Hope it helps.

    File format
    1. John Michelotti||#2

      I have the original edition of FHB's Energy Efficient Building where the reprint of Rex Alexander's article first appeared (I have to think about that for a bit :) )
      Much appreciated. I can create laps with my table saw but they won't look great. Ben Bogie has an article in FWW on making a table saw jig for open mortises, which are the predominant type.

      I just need to take the plunge and make a bad window, the second third and fourth will be better.

      For anyone else looking there are a couple of places that make the wood ones. Adam's Architectural in Iowa can make them for about 200-300 knocked down. You assemble it and supply the glass. Here is a link, and Adams is not the only one.

      https://adamsarch.com/product/rta-ready-to-assemble-kits/

      1. Expert Member
        Kohta Ueno||#3

        I have referred to this Rex Alexander article in the past as well. Just as a thought--pocket screws were not available back in 1997; they might be a decent option to speed up and solidify assembly, if you're okay with either exposed hardware, or filling the holes with pocket screw plugs.

  2. John Michelotti||#4

    Wow, I'm honored.
    I have a the pocket screw jig.
    Aluminum storms are much better than no storms, but Larsen is pretty much phoning it in.
    I have looked at Provia, but with them you're starting to get to why not just replace the whole thing?
    Sounds like build is the consensus that is forming.

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