Some homes are equipped with aluminum storm windows, which are used to resist cool drafts and act as a thicker barrier from exterior elements. These aluminum storm windows are also very energy efficient. And although an added task to remove once warmer weather rolls around, they will save you big on your energy bill and are completely worth it. If you have storm windows that need to be removed and cleaned and you are curious as to how to remove them from the outside of your house, read on to find out how!
How to Remove Storm Windows From the Outside
Materials That You Will Need:
- Utility Knife
- Rubber Gloves (for grip)
- Ladder (if necessary)
- Pry Bar
- Drill
- Drill Bitas
- Suction Cup Handles (if necessary)
- Paper Towels/Rags
- Window Cleaning Solution
- Caulking
- Scraper
1. Prep
- If your aluminum storm windows are not reachable, use a ladder or step ladder and set it up carefully.
- Be sure the ladder is level and securely locked in. Remember to wear your rubber gloves.
- Have your tools ready or close by for easy access.
- Wearing a utility belt would be extremely handy if you use a step ladder!
2. Start to Remove Storm Windows
- Depending on what you prefer, you can either use your utility knife to cut through the trim and caulking between the window trim and storm window or use a drill and unscrew the window from the frame. If you want, you can save the removed screws and reuse them. If it won’t budge and slip out easily, try cutting through the seam in between to rig the storm window out.
- Using your pry bar, start from below the window and slowly pry the frame out (if you haven’t cut through it). A suction cup handle will help with this process if you can’t quite get a starting grip on it.
- Carefully support the aluminum window, lift and remove it.
- Using your scraper, scrape the storm window where it was attached to the trim to rid of excess caulking that was applied when installed. You can refill the space with new caulking if you plan on reinstalling the storm windows.
3. Clean and Finish
When removing the storm windows for cleaning, use your rag or paper towels and spray the window cleaning solution onto the window directly and wipe them clean.
After you have carefully removed and cleaned your aluminum storm windows one by one – store them away safely by wrapping them individually in either a foam material, old towels or even bubble wrap.
A good place for storage is in the attic or garage if you have it available. Otherwise, a shed or a closet in the basement/crawlspace will do fine.
HINT:
By using silicone caulking and filling in the remaining holes from the screws that were drilled out of the trim, you will prevent any moisture collected over time from the warmer weather.
Learning how to remove aluminum storm windows for cleaning is a good idea for the long-term health of your house. But what if you need to repair your old aluminum storm windows? Keep reading to learn some tips on how to repair aluminum storm windows!
Repairing Old Aluminum Storm Windows
If you’ve got old storm windows, you might be thinking about replacing them. But before you do that, consider repairing them.
Repairing old aluminum storm windows is a great way to save money and repair the environment at the same time! Whether you go with a professional or DIY, there are many ways to restore your window frames and make them look brand new again.
Here’s how to repair your old storm windows:
- Clean the windows by wiping them down with a damp cloth or sponge; then dry them with a dry towel. This will remove any dirt or dust from the window frame and help you see what damage is present.
- If there are cracks in your storm window, apply epoxy putty around the edges of the crack and let it dry for about 30 minutes before sanding it smooth with fine-grit sandpaper (about 400-600). The putty will fill in any small gaps or holes that may have been created when the original window cracked during installation or over time due to moisture exposure.
- If the glass is broken, use a putty knife to remove pieces of the broken window and apply epoxy putty around the edges of the crack in order to fill it in. You can also use clear silicone caulk instead of epoxy if you have it on hand. However, this may not be as effective at repairing small holes or cracks.
4. Once the epoxy is dry, sand it down with fine-grit sandpaper until the surface has a matte finish. Sanding will help to ensure that your repair job is smooth and even.
5. Apply primer and paint (if desired). You can use any type of primer or paint for this step; however, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application and drying times so that you don’t ruin your repair job or create new problems during this process.
There are a number of reasons why you should consider repairing your old aluminum storm windows.
First, they’re inexpensive
Replacing them is not only costly, but it’s also a hassle—especially if you have to remove and reinstall them every year when the weather gets cold.
Second, repairing your old aluminum storm windows will save you money on energy bills.
Old windows leak heat, which means that heat from inside your home escapes through the window frames and outside into the cold air without being replaced by warm air from inside your home. This means that your heater has to work harder, which means higher energy bills for you!
Third, repairing old aluminum storm windows will make them last longer than replacing them would.
When you replace an older window with a new one that’s built exactly like the old one (which is often the case), there’s no guarantee that it’ll last as long as the original did.
And even if it does last as long as the original did, chances are good that it’ll need some sort of repair at some point in its life anyway.
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By following the steps above you have successfully learned how to remove storm windows from the outside and how to clean them. If you need some exterior painting done, don’t hesitate to reach out to Home Painters Toronto! We have been in home painting services for over 36 years now. Our team of professional painters really knows their stuff. Call us NOW at 416-494-9095 or email Brian@HomePaintersToronto.com! And don’t forget to follow us on all our social channels below as well!
