Preservation Note 6

Interior Storm Windows

Doors and Windows

August-91

Windows-08500

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A recent storm window test installation at the Internal Revenue Serve
(IRS) Building, 1111 Constitution Avenue, NW, may provide a model for
energy retrofitting historic buildings. The test window was manufactured
and installed by Tompkins Thermo-Press of Bethesda, Maryland. It remains
in place in Room 1027 of the IRS building at the time of this writing.
Contact Mr. Joe Hewitt, Assistant Building Manager of the Internal
Service Building, at 202-377-9880 if you would like to examine the
installation.

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Here are the criteria for designing and fabricating storm windows. A
list of custom storm window manufacturers follows. Include this
information in Building Evaluation Reports, Prospectus Development
Studies, Energy Efficiency Retrofit Plans, Design Scopes of Work, and
Construction Contract Specifications relating to window modification for
energy conservation in historic buildings:

Install interior storm windows only. Do not alter exterior facades.

Fabricate new storm windows to align with existing window stiles, rails
mullions, and muntins. Introduce no new divisions, in window\'s muntin
pattern. Select storm window with frames and muntins no wider than
existing sash frames and muntins. Maintain existing window\'s exterior
appearance.

Select storm windows in custom colors or shop paint to match original
window sash colors. Original interior and exterior sash colors are
provided in Chapter V, Paint Analysis, of the building\'s Historic
Structure Report (HSR). ff no HSR is available for the building, include
paint analysis to identify the original interior and exterior sash color
in the project\'s scope of work.

Time the project to coincide with cyclical painting.

Affix storm windows to the existing window frames with velcro. This
method is (a) completely reversible (no drilling required; adhesive is
solvent removable) and (b) holds better than magnetic storm window
supports, which tend to pop off of large openings due to excessive air
pressure. Drilling or otherwise altering original window sash or frames
is prohibited.

Specify optically clear, abrasion resistant (FAR) acrylic. Ammonia-based
window cleaning products etch standard acrylic glazing, causing it to
become cloudy after several washings.

CUSTOM STORM WINDOW MANUFACTURERS (Aluminum Frame)

Below is a list of firms identified as custom storm window fabricators
in the Department of Interior\'s Window Directory for Historic
Buildings, compiled in 1986. The directory is the result of a survey
directed by the Center for Architectural Conservation, Georgia Institute
of Technology, in cooperation with the Preservation Assistance Division
of the National Park Service. In researching products for a particular
project, ask the following questions:

Is the firm capable of fabricating storm windows which meet all of the
design criteria for installing storm windows in historic properties?

Does the firm fabricate storm windows for commercial application (i.e.
can accommodate window size and job volume)?

For large jobs, is the firm willing to provide storm window parts for
local glazing and assemble, to cut shipping costs? Compare cost of
shipping assembled storm window units vs. local assemble (local firms
such as Reed Plastics, Rockville, MD can furnish FAR acrylic)

Allied Window, Inc. - 2724 West McMicken Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45214
(513) 559-1212

Combination Door Company - P.O. Box 1076, Fond du Lac, WI 54935 (414)
922-2050

Davidson-Louisiana, Inc. - P.O. Box 1119, Lake Charles, IA 70602 (318)
439-8393

Defender Corporation - P.O. Box 3582, 706 Howard Avenue, Bridgeport, CT
06605 (203) 387-2882

EDI Window Systems, Inc. - 8575 Roll Road, Clarence Center, NY 14032
(716) 741-9620

Kasson & Keller, Inc. - School Lane, Fonda, NY 12068 (518) 853-3421

New England Spring-Tite, Inc. - Box 68, North Fryeburg, ME 04058 (207)
697-2385

Panelair - 40 Herrod Avenue, Brockton, MA 02401 (617) 588-8900

SealMaster, Inc., 10431 Lexington Drive, Knoxville, TN 37932 (615)
966-3000

Season-all Industries, Inc. - 1480 Wayne Avenue, Indiana, PA 15701 (412)
349-4600

Thermo-press Corporation - 5406 Distributor Drive, Richmond, VA 23225
(804) 231-2964. Also furnishes PVC frame storm windows.

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For more information about energy retrofitting in historic buildings,
contact the Regional Historic Preservation Officer, Ms. Andrea Mones
O\'Hara at (202) 708-8173.