Field Guide: Aluminum Storm Window Installation

Replace your drafty windows! That’s what homeowners have been told for decades now, but it doesn’t have to be the case. An aluminum storm window is likely the easiest solution to cut down on air infiltration around the windows of an old home that will also protect your windows and prolong their maintenance cycle.

Like many of our blog posts, here’s an insight into how our team installs Provia aluminum storm windows and our expectations.

Tools & Material

• Measuring tape

• Cordless Drill

• Magnetic drive guide

• #2 Phillips

• Twist bit

• Metal Snips

• Ladder/step stool

• Suction cups

• Utility knife

• Shims

Procedure:

1. Inspect for damage the window for any damage prior to installation.

2. Find the window number on the label.

   • We either label our windows based on how our Hover 3D image labels windows

   • OR

   • The front elevation, left most window on the first floor is labeled 101, then working around the house front, right, back, left. Second floor & landing windows are labeled starting with 200.

3. Carefully unpackage the window and place it by the window opening. . 

4. Always read through the manufacturer’s instructions for exact instructions on installing the specific type of window. 

5. Picture window style storms should have the glass removed at this time.

6. Test fit storm window to ensure an appropriate fit. Using a suction cup can make this process easier.

   • There are two types of installation; overlap application and blindstop application.

   • Our typical installation method is the blind stop application.

7. Trim the frame, if needed, by using a utility knife and metal snips

8. DO NOT CAULK THE OPENING

   • This a common recommendation from storm window manufacturers; however, the storm window will not be able to be removed for maintenance of the primary window.

9. Place the storm window in the opening with a symmetric reveal with the bottom expander pushed all the way up, if present. Shims can be helpful to hold the storm window up into place.

10. Install the top, center screw after pre-drilling a pilot hole but do not tighten.

11. Remove the shims and push the bottom expander down so that it’s snug against the sub sill.

12. Pre-drill and install screws that remain around the perimeter and tighten top screw. Screws should be installed straight and not at an angle, which will cause the sides to rotate.

13. Remove the installation clips, if present, on triple track style storm windows.

14. Re-install the glass, if installing a picture window

15. Check for proper operation of the sash and screen and adjust, if needed.

16. Touch up paint with manufacture provided paint.

17. Clean glass to be free of debris, sweat, etc.

Expectations

• Storm window is installed according to manufacturer’s specifications, aside from caulking

• Symmetrical reveal on window

• Installation clips are removed after installation

• Operational window work with ease

• Screws are not installed at an angle

• Glass is clean and free of debris, sweat, etc.

• Touch up paint is completed

Field Guide: Painting Old Wood Windows Overview

Once upon a time, before Old Home Rescue, we were Wood Window Rescue. We’ve spent the years, scraping every last piece of paint, reglazing each panes, and re-roping windows. I’ll be honest, even as a professional, sometimes it’s hard. It’s a common topic at our window restoration workshops as well as Facebook groups like Our Old House. What we’ve learned, and now stress, to our Neighbors is that there is a time and a place for window restoration. Sometimes it’s best for your time, your marriage (seriously), and your windows to just perform paint maintenance.

Below is the process that we have specifically developed for our painters to paint old wood windows WITHOUT removing the paint to bare wood or the window from the opening. Yes, it will have continue to have the character of an old home, but when viewed from the sidewalk, the paint will look amazing and be eligible for Sherwin Williams’s lifetime warranty. If you do want to remove it to bare wood and deglaze, we highly recommend using a Speedheater over a heat gun and check out this video.

(For our process in Spanish click here)

The following process is intended to be the final step in a Lifetime Exterior Renovation. This is the difference between putting color on a house and prepping & painting a home where we can all stand behind the quality of work. 

1. Any products outside of those specified and provided must be approved by Old Home Rescue prior to use. 

2. Follow Manufacturer’s Specifications on all products

3. Clean the Surface

   1. Pressure washers are NOT used to prep for paint application

   2. Remove all surface contamination by using the following; 

      1. Walls should be wet down with garden hose & nozzle

      2. Mix 1 gallon water, 1 cup bleach, & 1 cup TSP-PF

      3. Working in sections, clean from bottom to top to avoid streaks

      4. Rinse walls with garden hose and nozzle before solution dries

      5. Allow to dry until wood as 15% or less moisture level

4. Prep the Surface

   1. Cover the work area with plastic or drop clothes to collect paint debris

   2. Existing loose, peeled or checked paint must be scraped with a pull scraper to a sound layer, i.e., must pass the fingernail test for failed paint. 

   3. Feather the rough edges from peeling paint to improve the final appearance and adhesion.

   4. Removal of old paint runs

   5. Set nail heads on wood where exposed beyond surface level

   6. Remove all unused fasteners & hardware

   7. Repair rot with up to a golf ball sized quantity of Abatron WoodEpox BEFORE priming or a primed replacement board. Damage or rot exceeding epoxy threshold should be communicated to Old Home Rescue

   8. Repair minor cracks with Aqua Glaze or exterior painter’s putty AFTER spot priming.

   9. Caulking should be completed AFTER priming

5. Glazing Repair

   1. Protect historic glass by replacing missing glazing with Aqua Glaze and only removing glazing that fails the fingernail test. Glass beds should be primed with oil based primer BEFORE glazing. 

   2. Fill cracks in glazing with Aqua Glaze

6. Spot Prime

   1. Spot prime bare wood with oil based primer 

   2. Air, surface and material temperature must be above 35 degrees for 4 hrs after application

7. Prime the Surface

   1. Brush the surface Sherwin Williams Primer Rx Peel Bonding Primer

   2. Peel bonding primer helps even out less-than-perfect surfaces before painting, giving a smoother completed finish

   3. Air, surface and material temperature must be above 35 degrees for 4 hrs after application

8. Caulk

   1. Gaps and fixed joints can be filled with Sherwin Williams PowerHouse or MaxFlex caulking after priming the surface

   2. Allow proper drying time before application of the finish

9. Paint the Surface

   1. Brush the surfaces with 2 coats of Sherwin Williams Emerald, Waterbased Alkyd Urethane (different temperature requirements) or equivalent paints in a satin or semi gloss finish finish for ultimate protection. 

   2. Air, surface and material temperature must be above 35 degrees for 48 hrs after application

10. Clean the surface

    1. Remove any paint from glass with a lubricated razor blade

    2. Clean glass with glass cleaner and paper towels

    3. Glass should be clean when viewed from 6 feet away

    4. Property should be clean of all construction debris

    5. Trash can be disposed of at Old Home Rescue or construction dumpster on-site.

11.  Notes on Painting Wood Windows

    1. The above specifications are for painting wood windows for stabilization, protection and maintenance on a cyclical basis. Window painting’s cosmetic results should be viewed from the sidewalk as there will be inconsistencies in the paint surface. 

    2. If the Neighbor is interested in additional surface preparation or results, direct them to the Old Home Rescue Project Manager, who will discuss on-site restoration, off-site restoration, or reproduction windows.

Field Guide: Painting Peeling Wood Siding & Trim

Let’s face it, painting old wood is hard, and, honestly, it’s taken us years to develop a process that could bridge the gap between what painter suppliers require for warranties, what painters have never been taught, and paint prep that can be completed without stripping all of the woodwork of your home to bare wood.

Below is the process that we have specifically developed with Sherwin Williams for our painters to paint old homes WITHOUT removing the paint to bare wood. Yes, it will have continue to have the character of an old home, but when viewed from the sidewalk, the paint will look amazing and be eligible for Sherwin Williams’s lifetime warranty. If you want to remove it to bare wood, we highly recommend using a Speedheater over a heat gun.

(For our process in Spanish click here)

The following process is intended to be the final step in a Lifetime Exterior Renovation. This is the difference between putting color on a house and prepping & painting a home where we can all stand behind the quality of work. 

1. Any products outside of those specified and provided must be approved by Old Home Rescue prior to use.

2. Follow Manufacturer’s Specifications on all products not outlined here

3. Clean the Surface

   1. Pressure washers are NOT used to prep for paint application

   2. Remove all surface contamination by using the following; 

      1. Walls should be wet down with garden hose & nozzle

      2. Mix 1 gallon water, 1 cup bleach, & 1 cup trisodium phosphate (TSP)

      3. Working in sections, clean from bottom to top to avoid streaks

      4. Rinse walls with garden hose and nozzle before solution dries

      5. Allow to dry until wood as 15% or less moisture level

4. Prep the Surface

   1. Cover the work area with plastic or drop clothes to collect paint debris

   2. Existing loose, peeled or checked paint must be scraped with a pull scraper and sanded to a sound surface

   3. Feather the rough edges from peeling paint to improve the final appearance. 

   4. Set nail heads on wood where exposed beyond surface level

   5. Repair minor cracks with exterior painter’s putty

   6. Repair rot with up to a golf ball sized quantity of Abatron WoodEpox BEFORE priming or a replacement board primed on all sides and end cuts. Damage or rot exceeding epoxy threshold should be communicated to Old Home Rescue 

   7. Caulking should be completed AFTER priming

5. Spot Prime

   1. Spot prime bare wood with oil based primer 

   2. Air, surface and material temperature must be above 35 degrees for 4 hrs after application

6. Prime the Surface

   1. Brush or spray + back brush/roll the surface Sherwin Williams PrimerRx Peel Bonding Primer

   2. Peel bonding primer helps even out less-than-perfect surfaces before painting, giving a smoother completed finish

   3. Air, surface and material temperature must be above 35 degrees for 4 hrs after application

7. Caulk

   1. Gaps and fixed joints can be filled with Sherwin Williams PowerHouse or MaxFlex caulking after priming the surface

   2. Allow proper drying time before application of the finish

   3. NEVER caulk the underside of siding 

8. Paint the Surface

   1. Spray, Brush, and/or Roll the surfaces with 2 coats of Sherwin Williams Emerald or equivalent paints in a satin or semi gloss finish finish for ultimate protection.

   2. Air, surface and material temperature must be above 35 degrees for 48 hrs after application

9. Clean the property

   1. Property should be clean of all construction debris

   2. Trash can be disposed of at Old Home Rescue or construction dumpster on-site.

10.  Notes on Painting Wood Windows

    1. The above are Sherwin Williams Approved specifications for painting old wood for stabilization, protection and maintenance on a cyclical basis, which qualifies the painting project for a lifetime warranty. 

    2. Window painting’s cosmetic results should be viewed from the sidewalk as there will be inconsistencies in the paint surface. 

    3. If the Neighbor is interested in additional surface preparation or results, direct them to the Old Home Rescue Project Manager, who will discuss additional options for repair or replacement.