Most people today are very environment conscious in the sense that they prefer having their homes designed in such a manner so that it includes eco friendly doors, windows, furniture, etc. Having a storm window is another way of making a home ‘greener’. This is because, the storm windows will act as an additional barricade and as a thermal insulator. By preventing the exchange of heat between the home and the exteriors, the storm windows reduce energy consumption for both cooling and heating. If you are ready for a little DIY, here is an elegant method to make your own, eco friendly storm windows.
Difficulty level: Moderately challenging
Resources required
- Miter saw
- Miter block
- Router
- Wooden storm window frame
- Screw driver
- Screws made of wood
- Wood glue
- Acrylic glass
- Clear silicone caulk
- Foam weather stripping with an adhesive back
Time required
The project as such can be finished in an hour or two. However, drying of the caulk make take 2-3 hours more.
Instructions
1. With the help of the miter saw, take off about 1/8 inches of the window frame along all sides. This is to ensure that the overall size of your storm window is less than that of the actual window.
2. Make use of the miter block to cut out 45 degree angles at the spots where the wood ends. Now create a slot which is 1/16 inches thick to hold the windows and glass in place during the installation. Use the router to make this slot.
3. Take the frame which has been slotted and install it around the glass by neatly fitting in the slots. Secure the wood frame at every at every corner of the window using the wooden screws.
4. Tighten the screws in place and apply wood glue at the corners of the wooden storm window to act as reinforcement.
5. The acrylic glass is for use as the inside material in the wooden storm windows. It is important to ensure that the size of the glass is the same as the interior of the frame. This includes the depth and the slots.
6. In order to seal the glass, we make use of the silicone caulk. Apply this at the edges of the wooden frame and seal the glass completely. Do this sealing on both the sides of the window frame.
7. To hold it in place during the reinstallation, make use of the adhesive backed foam weather stripping to the wooden storm window that you are making. Now, press the window frame back into the opening of the window.
8. It is time to apply caulk again, only this time it is to the outside areas of the window frame. Having done that, wait for some time for it to dry. This may take about two to three hours after which your wooden storm window is ready for use.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is there any other way of fitting storm windows?
There are indeed many ways to get storm windows fitted, What we have done here is to create one using eco-friendly wood. Storm windows can be made in an inexpensive manner using plexiglass as well. The easiest would be to order them after which the experts will arrive to your home and retro-fit your storm windows. The only problem there is that it could prove to be expensive.
2. What wood is best used for making the storm windows?
Since the idea of making a storm window is for insulation, it is best to use wood that is water-proof and termite-proof.
Quick tips
- Making a storm window involves a lot of jobs that involve glue. It is advisable to wear gloves while working with adhesive or glue. Fixing the wooden frames with strong glue could cause skin irritation or be very difficult to get rid of, if it comes in contact with your palms or skin.
- Some adhesive could also cause allergic reaction to a few people.
Things to watch out for
- You should be very careful while hammering the nails in place while working on a storm window as one wrong shot can cause a lot of hurt.
