So cold air is leaking in through the worn original weatherstripping of my windows but they are not the wool pile type. I've attached photos to help identify what type of weather stripping it is and where I can buy it.

 

pile weatherstripping - Bing Images

There are several dozen sizes, and the size of the fin and the thickness of the pile are both critical to the operation of the window. Also, on that style of window, the sash must be disassembled (taken off of the insulating glass unit) in order to change the weatherstrip.

I don't know that I'd recommend changing it... the right stuff is on there. But cleaning, fluffing it with an old toothbrush wouldn't hurt.

 

How about the weather stripping on the side? That's the stuff I actually have to replace. That wool pile on the rear is fine. But I'm leaking lots of cold air from that nylon stuff on the side

 

My guess is that your frames are bowed. Take a tape measure and measure the width of the masterframe. It should be the same in the middle as at the top and bottom. If they are, you can take the interior stops off and shim the window in so that it fits tighter.

 

Put a level on the bottom of the frame of the window, bet it's unlevel by about 1/4 at least just judging by that last picture.
Check level and plumb.
Bet there's nothing wrong with the seals, window was just installed wrong.

 

The last picture is sideways. The left tilt latch is on the bottom left corner of the picture. Turn it 90° clockwise.

 

So should I not attempt to replace the weatherstripping? Or can it be replaced with the pile wool type

 

Well, I spent about 20 years almost exclusively installing replacement windows. The kind you have was a popular design in the late 80s and early 90s. Around here they were sold by TTI and it was called a "Custom Seal" window, I believe. I recall changing some weatherstripping on a few window sashes (forget what kind) to a thicker pile thinking it would help but I do remember it basically just made them hard to operate. I really doubt there is anything wrong with the weatherstipping. Changing it to a size and style that was not original would likely have unforeseen consequences.

In my experience if air is coming past the sides of a "tilt window" it is almost always that the window frame is no longer straight, but it's bowed away from the sash. The fix for that was to take the stop off and insert some cardboard shims- a long strip of cardboard folded in half over the point of your tri-square. Some windows had built in jamb shims... a hole in the middle of the frame and a tiny slotted adjustment screw.

If you haven't done it, I would close the windows and then measure the distance between the jambs at the top, middle and bottom. All 3 measurements should be EXACTLY the same. If it's wider in the middle by even 1/16" that's making the sashes fit loose.

On some of those old TTI windows, the sash itself could be hourglassed as well. If you measure the width of the visible glass on your sashes (top, middle and bottom), all the measurements should be equal. Sometimes they would narrow in the middle, then air would blow past the weatherstrip. The fix for that was to simply take a block of wood and tap the edge of the sash frame back out. It just fits loosely over the glass edge, so you can really knock it around.

In short, no I would not replace the weatherstripping. They used that type on the inside edges for a reason. That being said, if you do try it... save the old weatherstrip and don't ruin it getting it out, or you'll be sorry. Cuz I bet you will be putting it back in when you find out the "new" weatherstripping isn't better.

 

thanks so much for your input!. its greatly appreciated. i will do some measurements today and report back. i do know in maybe 2 or 3 windows the weatherstripping is actually torn or ripped allowing air to pass through. what do you recommend in those instances?

 

Not sure. Like I said, if you replace weatherstrip, you usually need to be very sure that you are replacing it with the exact same size and type.

I can't see or feel your window so its hard for me to specifically say what you need. But I get the impression that the torn weatherstrip is similar to q-lon foam... so I found one site that has something similar. http://www.ultrafab.com/pdf/Prol-Lon...l%20sheets.pdf There are 4 on the row with F201... notice the size of fin that fits in the kerf. That's a critical measurement... so you would need to put a micrometer on yours if you pull one out. You want the size and thickness of the part that goes in the kerf to match or your screwed, as it will either not fit or just plan won't stay in. hope that helps.

Another name with those TTI windows was "Campbell windows"... but both those companies went belly up clear back in the early to mid-90s. I think it was Campbell in the 80's and TTI bought them in the 90's before going bankrupt or getting bought out.