department of agric-u ltural engineeri ng

STOR4VI DOORS AND WINDOWSAI,{D

TEMPO RARY PLASTIC COVERSJesse B. Brooks

university of kentucky . college of agriculture . cooperative extension servicea$iculture . home economics . 4h . dev€lopmsnt

GENERAL

Non-insulated exterior doors and windoran with singleglass panes offer very l itt le resistance to heat f low. The lossof heat, the amount of cold air leakage into the house, andmoisture condensation on glass wil l be greatly reduced byinstall ing storm windows and doors. Plastic covers, eventhough considered temporary and short-l ived, wil l providethe same effective insulation.

lf funds are l imited, storm doors and windows orplastic f i lms may at f irst be placed on the side of the housethat faces the prevail ing winter winds.

FACTORY.BUI LT STORM DOORSAND WINDOWS

Most units are prefabricated out of aluminum andsold by dealers, completely assembled and ready forinstallation. These units are usually displayed in storeswhere they may be seen before they are purchased. Woodstorm doors are available.

Dealers vary in the services they provide for thecustomer. Some dealers, in order to guarantee satisfaction,prefer to take all dimensions, furnish standard or custom-built units, and complete their installation. Other dealerswill sell units to home builders or home owners, lettingthem be responsible for taking their own dimensions andmaking their own installation. In the latter case the buyershould get instructions for installation from the dealer andcheck all units to see that all parts are included and free ofdamage before he leaves the store.

CONSTRUCTION FEATURES OF STORI\'I DOORAND WINDOW UNITS

Several factors, including init ial cost, influence theielection of storm doors and windows for the house. In

making your choice, consider the following:

1. Strength or rigidity of the main frames andframes for the glass or screen inserts. Whilcthickness of the metal, braces, and width offrames are important. the engineering design isworthy of equal consideration.

2. Weathertightness of design and construction toprevent the entrance of water, cold air, dust,and insects. Note: An opening or weep systemis provided at the base of all storm windows'

3. Easy removal of glass and screen inserts orsashes from the inside of the house. This makeshouse cleaning easier without the necessity ofladders outside the house. Most main frames forstorm windovrrs provide for self storage of sasli nserts.

4. Ease of maintenance. Can the dealer makerepairs or can repairs be made easily by yourselfwhere the dealer furnishes parts?

5. All hardware for doors provided; includinq:

hinges, closers, wino cnarns, tocKrng latches,vinyl base weather stripping and screws. Theseaccessories should be inspected for quality andsturdiness. Storm windows ordinarily requirelitt le hardware except screws for installation.

6. F in ish of the metal . Natura l , dul l or sat in , orfactory-applied colors are usually available.

7. Guarantees should be checked relative to cover-age regarding materials and finish, workmanshipof assembly, or installation if done by thedealer .

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Char les E . i J r r i i l : i r l , r ) r i , ' . r - f , r i C , r r : r , - r : , t i re I l x ' !e rs io r i Scrv ice , Un ivers i ty o f Kentucky Co l lege o f Agr icu l tu re .

STORM DOORS

Fig. 3: Larger top glassarea and larger kickplate.

4Efti.-42

Fig. 4: Self-storing inserts.Lower glass panel slides upand down for venti lation.

Fig. 8: All inserts shouldbe removable from insideof house for easy cleaningor repair.

Fig. 2: Colonial style orcrossbuck at bot tom.

Fig. 1: Glass area divided Bottom not removable.a lmost evenly. Smal lerkickplate.

Shown above are a few of the styles of storm doors available, Figures 1-4. Tempered safety glass or non-breakable rigidplastic should be used in all storm doors to reduce breakage hazards. Most doors have a kickplate at the bottom to prevenldamage from continued use. Doors are also prehung or provided with frames for easy installation.

ttOTE: All views shown from outside of house. All glass areas to be safety glass or rigid non-breakable ptastic.

STORM WINDOWS

Fig. 6: Triple-track frame(applied to window stop asshown or to outside casingif necessary).

Fig. 5: Storm window fordouble-hung window. Fig. 7: Double-track frame

(applied to outside casingas shown or to windowstop if present).

Most storm window frames for double-hung windows have either tvvo or three tracks for the movement and placement

of two glass inserts and one screen insert. Regardless of the number of tracks, all inserts should be removable from the framesto the inside of the house. See Figure 5.

The triple-track frame, Figure 6, allows for independent movement of all inserts to up or down positions. They mayalso be removed separately from the frame. The triple track is somewhat more expensive, but the free movement of insert:does provide for easier cleaning and ventilation at either the top or bottom of the window. Frames allowing for t i l?-;r,

losit ions are also available. See Figure 8.

AEN-42

With the double-track frame, Figure 7, the screen insert is placed under and supports an outside glass insert at the top.The other glass insert can be raised or lowered for venti lation. The screen must be removed from the outside track before theupper outside glass insert can be removed from the frame.

Factory built storm windovvs or panels for casement, sliding, awning and picture windows (Figures 9, 10 and.l 1)require special designs, depending upon the style of the original window. Most windows of this type can be insulated byremoving screen panels, where they exist, and replacing them with glass or plastic panels on the inside of the existing window.

Storm windows are also available for basement casement windows whether they open to the inside or outside of the

basement. See Figure 11.

Fig. 10: Sliding and picture windows may requirespecial custom-designed storm windows. Large glassareas should be of safety glass or rigid non-breakableplastic.

Fig. 9: Storm panels shownon inside of casement win-dow. Existing outside win-dow and lower panel open forventilation. Some panels maybe clipped directly on insideor outside of window sashesand move with windowopera t i on . I ns ide pane l s

should have a good sealaround the edges to prevent

condensat ion on outs ideglass.

Fig. 11: Basement window insulat ion is opt ional .Make sure that enough air is available for fuel burningfurnaces and heaters if located in the basement.

PLASTIC COVERS FOR EXISTING DOORS AND WINDOWS

Film Materials:

Plastic f i lm for covers may be applied to existing doors and windows for insulation. Film is available in rolled slreets oralready cut and packaged in kits including the necessary tacking strips, tacks, and instructions for installation.

Films vary in thickness, clearness, and resistance to deterioration by sunlight. Polyethylene fi lm is fairly clear, f lexible.and usually lasts one year. Vinyl sheets are quite clear, f lexible, and wil l last from two to three years in direct sunlight.Polyester f i lm is clear, more rigid, and tends to rattle with high winds. lt is usually furnished in 7-mil thickness, stays clearfrom 6 to 7 years or longer, and is the most expensive fi lm. Some fi lms l isted above are reinforced with plastic or steel strandgfor added strength, but their lifetime use is not necessarily increased.

Where the house is not air conditioned, plastic covers can be marked, removed, rolled up, or stacked, if on frames, ancj

stored in a dark place for the summer.

Installation

Plastic f i lms may be attached to home-made wood frames or existing screen frames, as in.Figures 12 and 13. They mayalso be placed directly on the door or window frames, screens, sashes, or outside casings. lnsulation wil l be equally effective.whether the film is located on the inside or the outside of the door or window.

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Films may be attached to frames with tacks and cardboard paper strips wrapped in plastic, screen or other woodmolding strips. Plastic vinyl tapes, masking and cloth tape, and weather stripping tape also may be used. Some of these tapesdo not remove clean and may fail i f placed on the inside of screen or wood frames due to wind pressure. They hold betterwhen placed on the outside of the frames and casings.

I E E ? I I I 3 R A I LP L A S T I C F I L I

V E I I T O RD R A I I { H O L E S

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Fig. 12: Plastic film on wood frame or existing outsidescreens-outside of house. Well-built wood frames mayiustify the use of longer lasting clear plastic f i lm or glass.

NOTE: Apply plastic film to *reen frames if hey exist.

Fig. 13: A. Plastic f i lm insulation and ventilation provided.Air infi l tration around casement window sti l l possible. B.Plastic f i lm insulation provided. No ventilation. Applyweatherstripping tape around plastic frame and agains,window frame to prevent air infi l tration.

MOISTURE CONDENSATION

After storm doors and windows are installed, condensation on the inside surfaces of glass panes wil l be reducedconsiderably. lf condensation should occur, there is too much moisture in the house. There may be a slight condensation invery cold weather where drapes or shades are drawn at night. This moisture should disappear soon after the drapes areopened.

Storm windoun or plastic covers on windows need not be installed air tight. Factory-built storm windows have botton:vents or drains to allow for some air movement and the drainage of water should excessive condensation occur.

Most installations require no caulking except on rough frames of older houses or at the top of the frame where storrndoors and windows must be installed on the outside casings of existing doors or windows exposed to the weather.

Weatherstripping installed on sashes of existing inside windows wil l usually prevent condensation of moisture on tlrtinside of storm windows. Insulating storm panels or plastic f i lms placed inside the house should have a good seal around tl,.edges to prevent filtration of warm damp air and moisture condensation on the existing outside window glass.

The Collego of Agdculture is an Equal Opportunity Organization authorized to provlde reeearch, educatlonal infonnotior arrlother services only to indiviiluals and institutions that fimction witbout regard to race, color, sex or nationnl origin.

f ssued &76, 5M; 3-77, 5M; 977, 5t4