Making storm windows?

[Rickf1985]

I want to make some storm windows, I was thinking of trying to find some extra (yea right!) screens and glue in a piece of plexiglass in the recess and put a thin gasket on the back. Any ideas on where to find extra screens? Due to the curved corners I doubt I could just have them made locally.

[acenjason]

That's such a cool idea. I live in the Colorado Rockies and would love storm windows! Please post how things shake out

[TerryH]

Having the screens made would be pricy - very few companies are set up to bend aluminum, and it has to be the correct alloy and extrusion to begin with. You could do the same idea with a 1/4" plywood frame, cut to the contour and size and use the existing frame mounting holes to fasten - not all, just as required - and go with the gasket/single sided adhesive foam weatherstripping and plexi.
Alternate is to just use plexi with more fasteners. Problem there is that plexi has a very high expansion/contraction degree, and is difficult to drill and fasten without breaking. Lexan, Marguard, etc tools better, but at a considerably higher price.
If you like, send a picture of one of your windows and I can send you some drawings of what I mean - used to do this kind of thing for a living.

[Rickf1985]

Terry, I will get some pic's to you as soon as I can get them. You have given me an idea though. I was over thinking things again, I do that a lot. I could take out the screen altogether and replace it with a thicker piece of plexi the same thickness as the screen and just clamp that in. That way I am not screwing up my screens.

[Schmitti]

I think polycarbonate / Makrolon (http://rn-wissen.de/wiki/index.php/Polycarbonat) optimal for this application. It can be easily cut with a little practice and drill (http://www.ebay.de/itm/Hochleistungs-Schalbohrer-HSS-Stahl-fur-gratfreie-Locher-bis-2-mm-Materialstarke-/131278636717?pt=Bohren_Senken_Reiben&hash=item1e90d106ad) or glue. We use this material with 4mm (0.16 ") in motorsport as glass spare to save weight.
Unfortunately I only ready German sites 

Thomas

[thisoldhippy]

A couple of years ago we where in Nevada and had a real cold snap! Went to the local hardware store and got a couple of shrink to fit window kits! Put them in the bedroom. Really helped!! Then just took them off in the spring! 

[Rickf1985]

I thought about that but those kits always seem to leave a lot of glue behind, or pull the finish off the wall.

[serenitygirl64]

I was thinking of storm windows but thought the idea too crazy. :)rotflmao I was wrong.     Can't wait to see what you come up with... Hm?   Good Luck and I look forward to pictures.

[sasktrini]

I like the ideas.  One approach would be to make the poly panel oversize and tape a gasket to the edge, and then install some sort of retaining clip system to clamp it in place, with the gasket surrounding the window opening.

I'm swapping out my venetians for box-style window valences, and then going to press foil-backed rigid insulation panels inside.  Haven't done it yet... maybe I should reconsider!

[Rickf1985]

I think what I am going to do is find plexiglass or something similar that is the same thickness as the original screen frame. May need to sandwich two thinner pieces together to achieve that. I haven't even measured it yet. I will cut and sand the plexi to the same shape and size as the original screen and that way I will not have to drill any holes and I can use the original screen clamps. Some very thin foam gasket on the back and I should be done. As far as the top portion of the window that does not open, the only thing that I see that can be done there is plastic over the whole window Or foam insulation cut to fit and pushed into the window recess as mentioned. That would eliminate the window for sight though. OR, you could make a larger version of what I am doing that would cover the entire window and mount it with new clamps and gaskets. I may also toy with that idea if I can find the clamps. The only issue I see with that would be condensation getting trapped between the plexi and the window. On the bottom opening parts there are drains in the bottom to let it out.

[moonlitcoyote]

Rick I love your idea, but if your chieftain is like mine isnt there only 1 window that has an actual screen that is removable? Are you going to do anything with the rest of the windows? And I agree with those kits leaving glue behind, I could not remove all the glue last year no matter what I tried.

[brians1969]

I use 1/8" plexiglass with weatherstriping foam. It is held in place with clips like these:

http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=30106556

If you look at the 1975 Brave owners manual on page 59, you will see something similar.