Missing triple track storm windows and screens

Posted by blueman on June 23, 2009, 12:14 pm

A couple of the (many) windows in our house are missing either the
screen or the storm in the triple track attached storm windows. The
triple tracks are old and eventually need to be replaced so I don't
want to spend a lot of money on custom replacements and since they are
quite old I can't identify the original manufacturer.

Short of replacing the entire triple track now, are there generic
replacements that I could assemble/build to my exact height/width
dimensions? If so, where could I get them?

Posted by RicodJour on June 23, 2009, 12:42 pm

> A couple of the (many) windows in our house are missing either the
> screen or the storm in the triple track attached storm windows. The
> triple tracks are old and eventually need to be replaced so I don't
> want to spend a lot of money on custom replacements and since they are
> quite old I can't identify the original manufacturer.
> Short of replacing the entire triple track now, are there generic
> replacements that I could assemble/build to my exact height/width
> dimensions? If so, where could I get them?

The final post in this thread will tell you where you will end up:
http://groups.google.com/group/alt.home.repair/browse_thread/thread/511d6c8=
4dbfb8f17/17b107c6258393dd?lnk=3Draot

The storm panels are required by code, and common sense, to be
tempered - you will not be able to buy stock tempered glazing for a
storm window as storm windows are usually custom made to fit a very
wide range of window sizes. This is another one of those things where
the parts cost more than the whole. Price a complete replacement
storm window and a replacement individual storm/screen panel. Any
local window place will do for the pricing and the price difference
might not be all that great, prompting you to replace the storms over
a period of time.

BTW, storm windows would qualify for the 30% tax incentive for energy
improvements. Don't forget to factor that in to your calculations.

R

Posted by DerbyDad03 on June 23, 2009, 1:37 pm

I know this isn't an answer to your question, but have considered
replacing the windows and not the triple-track storms?

The reason I ask is that having done all of my windows, a few at a
time over the last 2 years, I can whole-heartedly attest to the
convenience of being able to open and close the windows without having
to raise storms, lower screens, raise screens, lower storms every time
we want to turn the heat or AC on.

Add in the windows that are half hidden by a bunk bed or other
obstacle...these windows used to be left closed all the time. Now they
are opened with 1 hand for cross breezes, etc.

Finally, I just washed all of my windows in a very short amount of
time due to the tilt-in feature. Removing the storms and then climbing
half out of the old windows took hours and was usually left until I
could barely see through the windows.

Just a thought...

Posted by blueman on June 23, 2009, 6:31 pm

>> A couple of the (many) windows in our house are missing either the
>> screen or the storm in the triple track attached storm windows. The
>> triple tracks are old and eventually need to be replaced so I don't
>> want to spend a lot of money on custom replacements and since they are
>> quite old I can't identify the original manufacturer.
>> Short of replacing the entire triple track now, are there generic
>> replacements that I could assemble/build to my exact height/width
>> dimensions? If so, where could I get them?

> I know this isn't an answer to your question, but have considered
> replacing the windows and not the triple-track storms?
> The reason I ask is that having done all of my windows, a few at a
> time over the last 2 years, I can whole-heartedly attest to the
> convenience of being able to open and close the windows without having
> to raise storms, lower screens, raise screens, lower storms every time
> we want to turn the heat or AC on.

I would do that if the house weren't historic. But most of the windows
have the original "wavy" glass and are 150-200 years old.

If I were to replace them at any point (and to be fair some have been
replaced over time where major renovations were done as in the
kitchen), I would probably either have them rebuilt (with insulated
glass) or would order high end custom all-wood frame double hungs with
true divided glass etc.

My conscience would not let me get away with a cheap but easier
solution and replacing 30+ windows with high end stuff is not
in my budget now...

> Add in the windows that are half hidden by a bunk bed or other
> obstacle...these windows used to be left closed all the time. Now they
> are opened with 1 hand for cross breezes, etc.
> Finally, I just washed all of my windows in a very short amount of
> time due to the tilt-in feature. Removing the storms and then climbing
> half out of the old windows took hours and was usually left until I
> could barely see through the windows.
> Just a thought...

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