Winterizing Cafe Windows
I just came into posession of a piece of property with retail space on the ground floor. This will be our first winter in the space and it has windows similar to the ones in the photo. I’ve come to discover that a fair amount of cold air comes into the windows around the edges….
I just came into posession of a piece of property with retail space on the ground floor. This will be our first winter in the space and it has windows similar to the ones in the photo. I’ve come to discover that a fair amount of cold air comes into the windows around the edges. I’m trying to figure out how to winterize them without covering them competely. Any ideas?
If the windows still leak where two meet, after you weatherstrip, you can use an astragal to seal and cover the gap. Zero is a great resource.
Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I’ll let you know how it works out.
Dave is right about the foam. be sure to use the formula for doors and windows (low expansion). I use an infrared thermometer to pinpoint the spot where the heat loss is occurring. Zero International (in the Bronx) has hundreds of different types of weather stripping and sealing systems for all types of doors and windows. The catalog is online.
Personally, I like spring bronze.
bugleg is right. If the casements themselves leak there’s really not much of a remedy. You could install the tape foam weatherstripping by opening the windows and then closing them on the foam tape. Most air infiltration comes from around the casings though and if you remove them and do the spray foam thing it’ll help a LOT.
You could futz with weatherstripping (low material cost, high labor cost (to do it correctly) but I would go right to an interior storm unit.
These windows look like casement windows of some kind. If the sash and jamb are in decent condition, the weatherstripping should help. But if these are in poor condition it isn’t going to be able to seal the sash entirely, so it will reduce the air infiltration by some, but not alot.
If I remember correctly, the Hamburger place next to ChipShop on 5th Avenue at 6th street has windows like that. I was surprised at how non-drafty they were last winter. Maybe go in and ask them how they did it.
Not sure that drapes are an option. There will be a business operating in the space and the tenants have already stated that they want to keep the view unobscured so as to encourage customers to come inside. Whatever solution we come up with will have to be temporary only as they want to be able to reopen the windows come spring.
The photo is of a bookstore in Manhattan. The picture was taken on their opening day and I believe those are customers waiting to come inside for the grand opening.
I wouls start by carefully removing the casings around them and using some cans of spray foam insulation.
For privacy and insulation, get some insulated drapes made…they work really well.
What is that line of people out front?????