Energy Efficiency vs. Historic Integrity
Many customers have said to me, "I don't want to lose the character of my old windows but what can I do make them energy efficient?" Less that 10% of the windows I have worked on had any type of weather stripping. A properly weather stripped old window will provide much improved energy efficiency and functional operation.
The most common type in use by restorers is spring bronze. Why spring bronze? It lasts a long time, looks good and provides an excellent sliding surface for the sash. It is typically applied to the window jamb. It comes in 2 basic styles, roll and V style. There are similar styles in plastic but will not last nearly as long as the bronze. Link
Another type is silicon tube seals that are generally used on the bottom or top of the sash where it meets the sill or header of the window frame. These are available in kerf mounted and stick on versions.
Labels: energy effciency, weather stripping
posted by Olde Windows @ 12:30 PM
6 Comments
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6 Comments:
I'm so thankful for this video! One question, why do you install the brad side of the spring bronze on the inside (closer to the interior room) portion of the jamb instead of on the outside (closer to the outdoor elements) side? I've seen photos of it installed both ways online and I'm not sure who to follow. Thanks!
If the bronze is installed with the nails on the outside edge, a strong gust of wind could push by the bronze and around the sash. With it mounted on the interior side, a gust of wind will push into the V and make an even tighter fit against the sash.
So glad i found this forum. my question concerns the relative width a strip of spring bronze should be in the jamb. Both upper and lower jambs measure 1 1/2" wide. the available spring bronze comes in 1 1/8, 1 1/4, and 1 3/8" widths, which would create the best seal. I know this seems trivial, but the devil is in the details and I want to get this project right the first time. thanks for any help
Based on the thickness of the sash, I assume this is a rope and pulley window sash. I would use the 1 3/8 width bronze which allows you to fill the sash track and not have an edge that might catch on the knot or cutout for the rope. Remember to leave about 1/16" gap between the front edge of the bronze and the parting bead.
After many weeks I have finally finished a window,(only 24 more to go!) thanks in part to this blog. I am not sure what the next step is. I have stained both sashes, inside and out; reglazed the glass with DAP and painted the glazing with an oil based alkyd paint, what should I do for the sash frame and window jambs? I also plan to install spring bronze after refinishing. Thanks again!
Try www.benlowe.co.uk they have some tips on this
High quality timber windows from the Benlowe Group will look much better than vinyl
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