Waukesha County Home

Dear Jim: I think exterior storm win- dows would be good, but they are expen- sive. Will they improve window efficiency much? What is a low-cost, simple design I can make myself ? — Dennis F. Dear Dennis: Installing exterior storm windows can be a wise choice for some homes, but they are not an alternative to replacing old, leaky defective primary win- dows. You must make sure your existing primary windows are reasonably airtight and in good condition before considering installing storm windows. Check the con- dition of their caulking and weatherstrip- ping. Exterior storm windows, because they create a dead space over your primary win- dows, increase the insulation value of the entire window opening, not just the glass pane area. Also, storm windows protect your primary window from the ravages of bad weather or ill-directed baseballs. Secu- rity of your window can be substantially improved, if you select the proper type of plastic glazing. There are many designs for making exte- rior storm windows yourself. The one you select depends upon your woodworking skills and the final appearance you desire. The simplest designs can be as energy effi- cient as more complex designs, but they just will not look as finished or profession- al and may not last as long. Window choices The first step is determining the type of clear plastic glazing to use. Glass is heavy and dangerous to work with, so clear acrylic (Plexiglas) is commonly used instead. Acrylic holds up well in the sun and is easy to cut and shape. Although it is tougher than glass, it will crack from a hard impact. A stronger option is using polycarbonate glazing. This is what is used for bulletproof glass. A baseball should bounce off of polycarbonate glazing. It is more expen- sive than acrylic and it may yellow slightly over time in the bright sun. Another extremely tough material is double-walled, ribbed polycarbonate. You can find it at most home centers. It also provides the highest insulation value from all the dead air spaces between the ribs. Its drawbacks are its higher cost and the ribs distort the view from indoors. Natural lighting will still come through. Framing Measure the exterior window opening about one-half inch out from the existing window. A smaller air gap between the storm window and primary window is more efficient than a wide gap. Window openings are seldom square, so measure the width at top and bottom and the height at each side. Size the storm window frame three-quarter inch smaller than the win- dow opening to leave room for foam weath- erstripping to hold it in the opening. For the simplest construction, use 1-by-2- inch lumber. It is probably larger than is required for strength, but the larger wood makes it easier to create strong corner joints. If you are an experienced wood- worker, use smaller lumber for a nicer appearance. Cedar or redwood will hold up the best and looks nice. Use a simple lap joint, not a weak butt joint, at the frame corners and screw the clear plastic glazing to it. If you have a router, cut a slot for the glazing. This looks better and makes an overall stronger win- dow. If you notice condensation problems, drill several small weep holes through the bottom frame member. Dear Jim: I use a fireplace to help heat my two-story house. I am concerned about safety when I go to bed at night with it still burning. What is a good safety plan to have in case a house fire does start at night? — Julie H. Dear Julie: First of all, never go to bed or leave the house when a fire is burning or even just smoldering. A good fire safety plan always includes smoke detectors and several routes to exit your house in case of a house fire. Keep a bright emergency flashlight near your bed. For your second-floor bedrooms, install a fire escape ladder. Werner (www. wernerfireescapeladder.com) offers a com- plete two-story kit. It mounts securely inside the wall under a window so it is out of the way when not needed. (Send inquiries to James Dulley, The Free- man, 6906 Royalgreen Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45244 or visit www.dulley.com.) MARCH 2018 HOME 5 K i t c h e n s | B a t h s | D e n s | C a b i n s | O f f i c e s | R e c R o o m s Work With Experienced Design Professionals "We Specialize in Cabinetry" 1005 Richards Road, Hartland | 262.367.9439 www.kitchencreators.com Cabinetry For Every Room, Every Budget! 259562001 We Beat All Big Box Stores and all Competitors | Visit Our Showroom By Appointment SHOWROOM CLOSEOUT SALE GOING ON NOW! WE SPECIALIZE IN NORCRAFT'S MID CONTINENT CABINETRY When designing own storm windows, start with the material JAMES DULLEY James Dulley Measure the width and height of the the window opening close to the primary window. Make the storm window frame slightly smaller.

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