Double Hung Window Insulation Tips

An older house, circa 1930 build date, with really nice 6 over 1 double hung windows. No rot anywhere, solid construction, however they are single pane with aluminum storms that used to have that copper v channel in the jambs which I think was 'insulation' or weatherstripping.

I'm looking for advice on ways to insulate/weatherstrip the sashes themselves, or failing that recommendations for weatherstripping the jambs.

I have to believe some of you have been through this before, and would apreciate the benefit of your experience.

The copper/brass weather strip is still available. I know of no off the shelf kit for retrofitting single pane windows. That said ,there is a ton of weather strip material stuff out there. The issues always comes down to appearance vs. performance . Generally speaking you can have one or the other , but if you have a active imagination and some time you could probably come up with something marketable

A few companies offer a "track pack" which consists of new jamb liners w/ weather stripping and two double pane sash configured how ever you want. If your interior and exterior trims are in good shape this is not a bad way to go as it looks good and you could do it yourself .

waldo

I sold Marvin and Integrity brand windows for many years.

http://www.marvin.com/marvin/windows/double-hung-tilt-pac

I'll think about this more during the day, I'm at work.

My thoughts are this: in 1930 energy conservation and home tightness was not the issue it is today and drafts were considered a health necessity not the enemy we see it today.

If the sashes are leaking then maybe a new tight storm window is needed. My former aluminum storms were merely a 50 yr old noise maker and failed at stopping drafts, once iced over they only held the winter weather closer to us.

You stated insulating the sashes only, I am thinking you have weights, ropes, and pulleys in the window frames...these spaces in the frames are most likely the cause of your air leaks and concern and can be addressed by replacing the weights with various types of sash guides either spring loaded or block and tackle mechanisms.

Best of luck, I'm sure the original windows look best and I understand your want to keep them in place.

I recently divorced myself from a mansion on the national historic register

yes the parties there were historic - but back at the ranch = with a big enough war chest modern windows that look old can be had and you eliminate the pockets and drafts that mike discused

if its a simple hose like I am in now - well I just installed modern vinyl flange windows that were e-zier to put in that dressing myself in the morning

michaelanthony wrote:My thoughts are this: in 1930 energy conservation and home tightness was not the issue it is today and drafts were considered a health necessity not the enemy we see it today.

If the sashes are leaking then maybe a new tight storm window is needed. My former aluminum storms were merely a 50 yr old noise maker and failed at stopping drafts, once iced over they only held the winter weather closer to us.

You stated insulating the sashes only, I am thinking you have weights, ropes, and pulleys in the window frames...these spaces in the frames are most likely the cause of your air leaks and concern and can be addressed by replacing the weights with various types of sash guides either spring loaded or block and tackle mechanisms.

Best of luck, I'm sure the original windows look best and I understand your want to keep them in place.

I would hate to give up the weights, there's just something very nostalgic when the window goes up and down (not to mention all the time and effort I've put into repairing some of the 26 windows in the house..... )

That said, I will look into this sash guide of which you speak to see if that might be a good fit.

waldo lemieux wrote:The copper/brass weather strip is still available. I know of no off the shelf kit for retrofitting single pane windows. That said ,there is a ton of weather strip material stuff out there. The issues always comes down to appearance vs. performance . Generally speaking you can have one or the other , but if you have a active imagination and some time you could probably come up with something marketable

A few companies offer a "track pack" which consists of new jamb liners w/ weather stripping and two double pane sash configured how ever you want. If your interior and exterior trims are in good shape this is not a bad way to go as it looks good and you could do it yourself .

waldo

I'd like to keep the window and just get the jamb liners. I have plenty of play in the jambs (or will, when the 17 layers of paint come off) so I believe I can fit liners in there.

Once the weights come out, do you just spray foam in the cavity, pack it with cellulose?

EarthWindandFire wrote:I sold Marvin and Integrity brand windows for many years.

http://www.marvin.com/marvin/windows/double-hung-tilt-pac

I'll think about this more during the day, I'm at work.

My imagination is Marvin, my budget is caulk gun, if you get my drift.

foam it

My daughter has a historic 1827 home in Homer, NY. She's a stickler for maintaining the historic look. The windows she needed to maintain are 9 over 9's, single wavy panes, all original and in perfect condition. There was no way she would put storm windows on the outside of the house.

This company solved the problem. Interior, compression fit storms. They worked perfectly and looking at the windows from outside or inside you cannot tell there are storms there.

Check out the company at http://www.energywisemfg.com

Hope that this helps.

Regards,

Joe Urda

urdahere wrote:My daughter has a historic 1827 home in Homer, NY. She's a stickler for maintaining the historic look. The windows she needed to maintain are 9 over 9's, single wavy panes, all original and in perfect condition. There was no way she would put storm windows on the outside of the house.

This company solved the problem. Interior, compression fit storms. They worked perfectly and looking at the windows from outside or inside you cannot tell there are storms there.

Check out the company at http://www.energywisemfg.com

Hope that this helps.

Regards,

Joe Urda

Dang, I forgot about those.

Thanks.

Sting wrote:foam it

And make sure it is non expanding foam.

coaledsweat wrote:

Sting wrote:foam it

And make sure it is non expanding foam.

There's some good advice...