Vinyl WIndows Leaking Air

[spotco2]

Back in 1999 I built this house and have no clue where I got the windows I installed or what brand they are. I most likely ordered them from a local hardware and lumber store that is just down the road where most everything else was purchased.

Anyways, over the years I've noticed that they all leak air and some are worse than others. They are single hung vinyl (not replacements) with insulated glass with the panes inside. Air comes in around the bottom sash and comes in around the corners and up the track the bottom sash slides in (see pic).

If this was our old farm house, I would just build frames with plastic and put over them on the outside each winter but that would never fly here in the 'hood or with the wife.

Does anyone have any experience with this or a fix outside of sealing the windows shut from the outside? I currently have foam packing peanuts shoved down in the tracks to stop some of the air flow but I really need to get this fixed correctly without having to replace 20 something windows.

 

[tjpavlov]

My vinyl Windows leak in the same spot! Hoping you'll find a good solution.

 

[tonyciambrone]

Looks like there's a seal or weatherstripping there. I would start by figuring out who made the window and replacing that. There's typically numbers stamped somewhere on the frame or inside of the sash.

 

[DGersic]

I think I have the exact same window. Same thing, too, seems to be an air leak around that spot.


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[kbs2244]

I would check the installation.
Your arrow is pointing at the classic lack of moisture barrier/wind brake around the rough opening.

Take the outside trim off.

 

[spotco2]

Looks like there's a seal or weatherstripping there. I would start by figuring out who made the window and replacing that. There's typically numbers stamped somewhere on the frame or inside of the sash.

If you are referring to the white thing sticking up from the lower sash in the corner, that's a foam packing peanut I shoved in to slow down the air flow.

 

[Bert_]

I've got some windows that leak air pretty bad. Cheap windows and someone didn't do a good job sealing around the frame are most of my problems. I imagine yours are similar, I just put up plastic.

 

[kwschumm]

Are there any single/double hung windows that don't leak there?

I gave up on those and only use casements now (but the casements have to have sealing crank covers on the inside otherwise they, too will leak).

 

[lostmind]

Those look like you took a photo of my windows. They were in the house when I bought it in '99 . The house was built in '64 .They all leak . It was worse before I used 11 tubes of caulk around the outside.
I install the shrink wrap plastic inside every year. I buy the kits at garage sales and flea markets. Cost about 5$-6$ each year , takes about 2 hours total to install.
Big difference in the comfort. In the spring when I remove them , I poke a hole and
marvel at the cold air coming out.
These are **** windows in all ways , plastic breaks inside all the time , seals come apart, I have to use dowel rods to hold some open.
I really hate to get new ones , not sure if there are any that seal and operate right.
I think the only way is to replace the frames and windows with quality " new build "
type.

 

[Lelandwelds]

Clear Polygal without a frame is pretty hard to spot either inside or out. The Opal looks like curtain lining. Run it vertically so it drains. It comes in sheets up to six feet wide and up to twenty feet long. You can buy from Interstate Plastics, etc.

 

[tonyciambrone]

If you are referring to the white thing sticking up from the lower sash in the corner, that's a foam packing peanut I shoved in to slow down the air flow.

No, what is basically behind that appears to me to be a different material than the actual window frame. It looks like a seal to me but it's hard to tell in the picture. Over time they harden, shrink and crack. Might just be the lighting and it's just part of the frame.

You would also be surprised how often people don't do any sort of backing rod/ expanding foam around windows and doors too.

 

[Jackfre]

In '92. in may previous house I put in new windows . All vinyl. Over the years they too leaked like a sieve. I bought them from HD, but forget the brand. The foam gasketing they used dried out over time and created the leaks. I bought replacement foam/weatherstripping from the company and solved the problem...sorta. A giant pita and I didn't buy vinyl windows for the current place. I suspect you are in the same boat here.

Crestline! That was the manuf

 

[1crosscut]

Measure across the window opening at top center and bottom to see if the distance is the same. It's very possible that the middle measurement will be more. If so you can pull off the casing and shim the frame for a tighter/even fit against the window frame. May stop the leaks.

 

[NYBODYMAN]

I think I have the same crappy windows. I think the answer is that they are crappy windows. Either replace or use plastic.