Sealing slide-open small windows


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Old 07-24-17, 08:58 AM
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Sealing slide-open small windows

I've got a bunch of 12x24 glass windows in my basement and bugs are getting into them. It looks like the seal is not there. What should I do in order to seal the window gap but still be able to open the window?
 
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Old 07-24-17, 09:19 AM
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Most windows of that type have replaceable seal material available.
Try to remove a piece without damaging as a sample that you can take to a window specialty shop and not to a box store.
 
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Old 07-24-17, 10:58 AM
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If you could post a couple pictures it would be helpful.
 
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Old 07-24-17, 02:26 PM
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Here's two:



 
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Old 07-24-17, 03:23 PM
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Ok, like Greg said, the weatherstrip can sometimes be replaced, but it's a little tricky on aluminum windows. Remove a sash by opening the window and lifting it up as high as you can, then tip the bottom in and pull the top out of the track.

Examine the weatherstrip around the sash, (the frame that surrounds the glass) and if it is clearly worn, then yes, you could replace it. Problem is that many aluminum windows need to be disassembled in order to slide the old weatherstrip out and the new weatherstrip in. And you need to get the right size of weatherstripping too. Sometimes this is best left to someone at a hardware store that works on glass, or a commercial glass shop. But if you think you can diy, by all means try.

The sash is one component... the frame (the part in the wall) is another. And generally it's difficult, if not impossible to replace that weatherstripping without cutting into, or removing and disassembling the window. Because once the window is assembled, the old weatherstrip is trapped and can't slide out. An exception might be the meeting rail interlock... sometimes it is removable with a few screws, so you can look for that. These are some of the reasons that might make it difficult to put new weatherstrip into your windows.
 
 

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