How to remove Aluminum Storm Windows

Aluminum storm windows were very popular in the 1950's and 1960's. If you have a home built in that period, you are very likely going to have them.

When you want to fix the screens or just take the windows apart for cleaning, you are going to need to know how to take them apart.

The vast majority of aluminum storms have a single sliding panel, a fixed panel and a screened panel. The fixed panel can be above the screen in a vertical single panel arrangement or the fixed panel can be to the left or right of the screen in a horizontal side slider arrangement.



Here are the steps you need to follow to take them apart:

To Remove Vertical Storm Sashes

  • Check on the outside to see if the storm window frames have been painted. You will need to score the paint with a utility knife to allow the storms to come apart easily

  • Open the inside window all the way so you can access the storm window

  • Lift the operating sash until you see the bottom of the sash clearing the frame that holds it in.

  • Some storm windows will have spring clips at the top of the window which will hold the moveable sash in place as you lift it all the way up.

  • Pull the bottom of the moveable sash toward you just enough to clear the frame, the pull the sash downward, out of the frame.

  • Make sure the window behind the storm is fully open, have someone hold it up if it wont stay.

  • Lift the storm sash up and again pull the bottom toward you, enough to clear the inside window ledge. Remove the storm panel and put it away safely.

  • The remaining fixed panel usually sits on top of the screen frame. Use you fingernails to push the fixed panel up until it comes apart from the frame.

  • Pull the bottom of the fixed sash toward you until it clears the frame. Pull down on the sash until it comes free of the frame.

  • Remove the fixed sash from the window in the same way you removed the moveable sash.

  • Grab the screen frame at the top and push it upwards.

  • Hold the bottom of the screen frame and push it up and out of the window frame. Dont drop it out the window !



    How to remove horizontal storm sashes

  • Check on the outside to see if the aluminum storms have been painted. You will need to score the paint with a utility knife to allow the storms to come apart easily

  • Open the inside windows all the way so you can access the storms

  • Slide the operating panel to the left or right until you see the bottom side of the sash clearing the frame that holds it in.

    There is usually a large gap in the bottom frame that allows the bottom of the panel to clear when it is all the way over in the open position.

  • Some storms will have spring clips or plastic clips at the top left or top right of the window which will hold the moveable sash in place as you slide it all the way across.

  • Pull the side of the moveable panel toward you just enough to clear the frame, then pull the panel toward the closed position, sliding it out of the frame and the clips at the top.

  • Slide the storm sash across and again pull the side toward you, enough to clear the inside window ledge. Remove the storm sash and put it away safely.

  • The remaining fixed storm sash usually sits to the left or right of the screen frame. Use you fingernails to push the fixed sash sideways and the screen the opposite direction until they start to come apart and you see a gap between them.

  • Pull the side of the fixed panel toward you until it clears the frame. Slide the panel until it comes free of the frame.

  • Remove the fixed panel from the window in the same way you removed the moveable panel.

  • Grab the screen at the side and slide it out of the frame and pull it out just like the removeable panel.

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