hi all!
my first post!
i will soon be installing some american craftsman 8500 series double hung windows. i have 12 to do.
my existing windows are 30+ years old and are in poor shape. on the outside of these windows is a triple track aluminum storm window, with screen.
on the exterior of the home, i checked them out. looks like they are caulked and screwed in.
should i go OUTSIDE and pull these storms off first?
my gut tells me i should -- we won't need yet another window and screen once i have the 8500's ... and i would think it would look pretty cluttered with all those tracks in front of the new window...
also, wondering if these storm windows and tracks are attached to the blind stop that i'm going to butt up against the new window?
any advice appreciated!
tj

 

Yes, remove the storms first, clean-up the caulk, paint the exposed wood (unless it's going to be capped with aluminum) and then install your new windows.

 

thanks for the post.
i agree -- remove them.
tj

 

joham --
thanks again for your reply.
i noticed that the wood is ALREADY covered with aluminum -- nicely trimmed on top and sides. will this be a problem when removing the storms? it appears as if the storms were installed, and then the aluminum trim was done.
i can see, though, the screws and caulk (old) on the sides.
i guess i won't know for sure until i start pulling things off, but wondered what you thought.
tj

 

did some more reading elsewhere tonight and may have answered this one myself. sounds like remove the storm windows and tracks but leave the outside stops on because of the flashing covering them.
anyone?

 

When you remove the storms, you will be left with the blind stop exposed. You can bend a small piece of aluminum to cover it. The best thing, for appearance, is to cap the entire frame.