Double windows - literally


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Old 08-23-13, 02:06 PM
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Double windows - literally

I just purchased a house built in the mid 80's and encountered something I haven't seen before. It has double windows, not just double pane windows, but one window just inside the other. In order to open the windows for a breeze, you would need to slide open the first, and then slide open the second. I imagine the second window was installed just inside the original for insulation purposes. Has anyone seen this before? I'm thinking about having them replaced with new windows, but want to know what I'm dealing with before I do. Thanks.
 
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Old 08-23-13, 02:16 PM
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Welcome to the forums!

I know a lot of mobile homes use double storm windows but I've not seen it in a conventional house. Posting a pic or two of what you have might help us figure it out - http://www.doityourself.com/forum/el...-pictures.html
 
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Old 08-23-13, 03:39 PM
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Sure there's not just a storm window installed on the outside?
 
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Old 08-23-13, 04:25 PM
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Name:  image.jpg
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Size:  39.0 KBThere may be. I'm not too familiar with storm windows. They look like normal windows to me. They're certainly attached permanently into the opening. Here are a few pictures (if I can get them to upload properly). Thanks.Name:  image.jpg
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Size:  34.4 KB
 
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Old 08-23-13, 04:29 PM
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Here's a better picture, perhaps.
Name:  image.jpg
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Old 08-23-13, 06:11 PM
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Very unusual. I'm thinking the builder (or a subsequent owner) had access to a bunch of surplus windows for a very low price.
 
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Old 08-23-13, 06:14 PM
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It's kind of common in some areas of severe weather or high noise...but normally it's all one unit. These are 2 separate windows though...correct?
 
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Old 08-23-13, 08:30 PM
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Yes, they are two separate windows. On some of them, the inside window slides open from both the left and right sides (both glass panes open). Kind of strange.

I'm thinking about replacing them all, but perhaps I would be better off leaving them in. I live in Utah, so we can have rough winters. Two windows have got to be better than one, right?
 
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Old 08-24-13, 04:17 AM
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Is there a lot of traffic on your road? I'm leaning towards a previous owner wanting to cancel out the road noise. Are all the windows like that? or just along the road frontage? Have you discussed the double windows with any of your neighbors?
 
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Old 08-24-13, 06:00 AM
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Good questions, marksr. Yes, we are on a busier road. Any of the windows that open are like that, whether on the road side or not. The non-opening windows seem to just be the original dbl-pane windows. I haven't checked with any of the neighbors, but that's a good idea.
 
 

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