Construction knowledgeable Oppos

"CAR_IS_MI" (car-is-mi)
06/11/2014 at 12:18 • Filed to: None

Anyone have any good suggestions to temporarily seal windows for the summer. My windows aren't old, but they also arent top of the line, and I am pretty sure they are leaking at the seams where the two halves meet (the locks are pressure type not slide lock so to lock the window in place I am literally pushing the two halves apart from one another).

Was thinking something like rope caulking but don't want anything that will leave behind a residue.

Have a 114 and and an E30 for your time.

DISCUSSION (24)

jkm7680 > CAR_IS_MI
06/11/2014 at 12:21

Duct tape, and plastic sheets is my best advice.

505Turbeaux > CAR_IS_MI
06/11/2014 at 12:21

up here in New England we plastic wrap over the windows in the winter. I assume this is for A/C retention?

CAR_IS_MI > jkm7680
06/11/2014 at 12:22

Thats old school greenhorn advice

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > CAR_IS_MI
06/11/2014 at 12:22

I'm guessing swapping your latches for the rotary kind that (can) pull the windows together isn't possible?

Kinja'd!!!

Is there a lip seal on one or both halves? That can probably be replaced for pretty cheap, and most windows allow you to drop one of the panes halfway out for cleaning: this would allow access to that seal.

jkm7680 > CAR_IS_MI
06/11/2014 at 12:23

It works though! My garage has one window on the side, broken by annoying children. Duct tape+Plastic sheets fixed it until plexiglass.

CAR_IS_MI > 505Turbeaux
06/11/2014 at 12:23

Yea all the old Portuguese women used to do that when I lived back east too. Looking for a solution that does not look so... babushka's plastic wrapped couch.

Audi-os, Amigos! > CAR_IS_MI
06/11/2014 at 12:26

Kinja'd!!!

Get in my garage.

CAR_IS_MI > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
06/11/2014 at 12:26

Unfortunately the pull latch is not possible, and there is no slide out for cleaning on the windows (like I said, the builder / PO skimped out on high quality windows). half the windows are also horizontal sliding large pane windows (I have 5 60" by 36" sliding pane windows in the house)

CAR_IS_MI > jkm7680
06/11/2014 at 12:29

Its also not 110+ every day where you are. The plastic might melt...

jkm7680 > CAR_IS_MI
06/11/2014 at 12:31

It's more plastic drop cloth than anything, but stick residue would be a bitch to remove.

OPPOsaurus WRX > CAR_IS_MI
06/11/2014 at 12:33

if you own it, it may be worth getting storm windows to put on the exterior. this will also help huge in the winter. What about rubber strips. I'd imagine any remaining adhesive could be scraped or removed with some sort of goop remover. Also windows, while somewhat expensive, are super easy to put in.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > CAR_IS_MI
06/11/2014 at 12:33

Well, if you want a solution that *works*, go with Zip tape (designed for Zip-board rubber-skinned wood house sheathing). Rubber, waterproof, indestructible, and grips like a mofo. Unfortunately would leave an absolutely terrible to get off residue.

If you want a solution that *sort of* works, you can try self-adhesive foam. It'll fill the gap, while making it possible to open the window still. It'll just disintegrate in time, leaving the glue backing to be removed.

The ideal solution is a rubber lip seal of some kind, but you probably don't have the ability to install one well. The proper "fix" would be unlimbering the window, routering a groove to install one, and then putting it all back together. Sucky.

crowmolly > CAR_IS_MI
06/11/2014 at 12:34

To be completely honest maybe low adhesive painter's tape might block enough air to do something without getting too gummy. I used to use aluminum HVAC tape on my garage door seams it it worked awesome. Not sure about "no residue" though.

Home depot has window film kits but I don't think that's exactly what you are looking for...right?

CAR_IS_MI > OPPOsaurus WRX
06/11/2014 at 12:37

I own it but its on my list of things to get rid of in the relatively short term (need more land for more garage), so I am trying to avoid anything that I cant recoup the cost in the short term. I also can not affix anything to the outside of the windows without prior HOA approval (including having 8 of my closest neighbors sign off that its okay for me to do "XYZ") and paying them a $50 fee for their approval.

I thought about getting some stick on rubber weather strip but it would just sit on top of the frame, so I dont think it would really help much.

OPPOsaurus WRX > CAR_IS_MI
06/11/2014 at 12:43

Ahhhhhh I think you and I have had a conversation here before on my feelings regarding HOA. If you don't remember it was something along the lines of they should go drive a Pinto in reverse into a brick wall.

I cant stand that crap. Thats basically a $50 incentive to not do anything to improve your house. I think I'd not buy a house specifically for it being in an area governed by a HOA.

CAR_IS_MI > OPPOsaurus WRX
06/11/2014 at 12:55

Yea I heard horror stories from people when I went to buy the house (never had HOAs back east) but I figured people were over exaggerating and I got a killer deal on the place. It's been two years since I bought it and that's 1 year 11 months too many for me dealing with these HOAs. Never Ever Again. You could offer me the most amazing house for literally one dollar and I would turn it down if there was an HOA involved. USELESS.

thebigbossyboss > OPPOsaurus WRX
06/11/2014 at 12:57

Me too. Luckily they aren't as prevalent up here in canuckistan.

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > CAR_IS_MI
06/11/2014 at 13:04

That spray in expanding foam works great, plastic sheet/tape if cost is an issue.

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > OPPOsaurus WRX
06/11/2014 at 13:42

That's exactly what I did. I bought a house without an HOA, and none of the neighbors nearby even *want* an HOA.

There's a new woman who moved into a house down the street, and her previous home was in an HOA community. So guess what: She's trying to do the same HOA-y stuff in our neighborhood. "Come help us clean up the entrance or donate money to the cause". Oh, and she didn't mention she wants to *buy* a new sign for the street. (For the low low price of $700). One guy who likes woodwork would occasionally re-paint the sign, and that was about it.

Me: "If you want to do that, have at it."

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > thebigbossyboss
06/11/2014 at 13:42

And you are lucky for it.

OPPOsaurus WRX > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
06/11/2014 at 13:55

Has she tried to start a neighborhood watch yet? Sounds like that type of person.

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > OPPOsaurus WRX
06/11/2014 at 13:59

I live in the sticks. Neighborhood Watch means everyone walks outside with a 12ga shotgun.

OPPOsaurus WRX > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
06/11/2014 at 14:04

no AK's?

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > OPPOsaurus WRX
06/11/2014 at 14:13

AR-10s and AR-15s would be far more difficult to work with under those conditions. You would either need a smaller pistol cartridge carbine, or a short barrel shotgun.