I have screens that snap into a track on the outside of my CertainTeed vinyl windows. I want to remove the screens and make storm panels to fit into the track to reduce radiant cold air and sound.
Does anyone know what I can build the frame out of? I'm thinking I'll use
1/8" thick glass.
You're better off using a lighter weight material than glass to make fabrication and installation easier. My choice would be acrylic (Plexiglas) glazing. Check with a plastics supply house (like Cope Plastics, for example) for suitable frame material. There are stock shapes (square, rectangular, round) available that can be shaped with regular wood working tools. Thermoplastics like Plexiglas require quite sharp saw blades and easy-does-it feeds for good results. It and PVC can be solvent bonded to make very strong joints. You could also make cedar or redwood (even teak) frames if you have the woodworking skills and equipment. If you decide to take on the project, let us know how it turns out and good luck.
Joe
You're better off using a lighter weight material than glass to make fabrication and installation easier. My choice would be acrylic (Plexiglas) glazing. Check with a plastics supply house (like Cope Plastics, for example) for suitable frame material. There are stock shapes (square, rectangular, round) available that can be shaped with regular wood working tools. Thermoplastics like Plexiglas require quite sharp saw blades and easy-does-it feeds for good results. It and PVC can be solvent bonded to make very strong joints. You could also make cedar or redwood (even teak) frames if you have the woodworking skills and equipment. If you decide to take on the project, let us know how it turns out and good luck.
Joe
Hi Joe.
I thought about acrylic but read that after a short time, it will be so scratched by the small dirt particles in the wind and also with the fading in the sun it will be more translucent than transparent. Any thoughts?
If that were the case why have they made aircraft windows out of it for some eighty years? I suspect the author of that article is a bit light on the facts. So far as UV resistance is concerned, any plastic can be so misformulated or adulterated and poorly manufactured to fail practical tests. Imported plastics (not naming any countries here) have a known record of performance failures. Of the other common plastic glazing materials, consider polycarbonates like Lexan for impact resistance. Pricier, but tougher. UV resistance is built in for the application, just like it is for PVC found in windows, soffits, gutters, electrical conduit (but not necessarily plumbing). HTH
Joe
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