Storm windows for Leaded glass windows... archived

You can have wood storm windows made at Old Fashioned Windows in Newark.

I would suggest talking to someone knowledgeable about stained and leaded glass. I remember reading somewhere that air tight storms can allow enough heat to build up to damage the lead splines in the windows.

What if the storm were on the inside, with the leaded being out, bobk? Wouldn't that solve that problem and keep you warm inside also?

I ain't no expert. I was just passing on something I either read or saw on one of the home improvement shows on TV. Again, talk to a leaded glass/stained glass person. I admit that the house we rented last winter had wood storms over stained glass windows and I didn't see any problems, although I really didn't pay that much attention.

I can't see heat buildup being much of a problem in the winter. You can take them off for the warmer months.

I recall a This Old House episode, where they were redoing a beautiful historic house -- I believe in Cambridge. MA.

What stood out for me is that outside storm windows were installed over most or all of the leaded and stained glass windows -- and the subsequent heat build up basically meant they all had to be re-leaded. A disaster, actually, and used as an example of how mixing old and new can lead to problems.

Don't know what the answer is -- but don't let that happen to your beautiful windows!

Pete

If these are the three windows I'm assuming they would be, that being two sides and a fan window on top around the front door, your front porch should provide enough shade to prevent that type of heat build up. The heat is from the sun, not your furnace. We had a few pieces of plexiglass cut and caulked in, but this was to prevent damage after some expensive repairs rather than to keep the heat in. If you are really worried about melting lead, put the plexiglass on the inside. It will also prevent someone from putting a broom handle through it.

-John

Thank you, pglider. This Old House has a website with archives. Maybe what you report can be found there. It may be counterintuitive, as I have been told by a humidifying contractor whatever humidity is put into the air in the winter willl leak out from an old house. (Small vase-like containers that hang off of radiators, common in England, may help.) If humidity escapes, even with storms on most windows, you'd think the heat problem might not hurt lead. But it is very soft with low melting point. bobk's advice to check with stained glass maker sounds right.