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Serving Western Washington since 1998.
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Interlocking Metal Weather-stripping.
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Interlocking metal weather-stripping, in my opinion, is the best weather-stripping for original double-hung windows.
Surprisingly little research has been done to see how much energy is saved by installing this system. Only one 1950s study showed a 25% reduction in energy consumption was achieved by whole-house application of this system (to the windows).
Unfortunately the paper did not provide details on what kind of energy losses occurred before installation of the weather-stripping. Which makes is a bit difficult to predict how much energy you will save (since we don't know how your home compares to the study home).
However, this system doesn't compress (like felt or foam). It doesn't rip (like kerf-in products) or lose its flexibility (it has none). With proper care (don't paint, bend or otherwise damage it) it will easily last 100 years or more. There is no planned obsolescence. It stops windows from rattling and significantly reduces air infiltration (draft). Outside noise is reduced also.
Often I will encounter windows that used to have the system installed. Someone worked on the window and in the process removed one or more of the metal strips. What they said, while tossing the strips they damaged was "Oh, you don't need this." What they meant was "I have no clue what I'm doing." Luckily you can use the resources below to replace those missing pieces and stop the windows from rattling and leaking air.
I have created a YouTube video on installation of this system. You will find it HERE.
Below are places where you can buy this material. The Pemco products typically are ordered through a local hardware store (like Builders' Hardware in Seattle). Dorbin Metal Strip Manufacturing is a manufacturer who supplies retail outlets (like Kilian Hardware) but will do retail sales for larger orders (thousands of dollars). In 2019 Bagala Window Works bought several of the machines Accurate Metal Weatherstrip had used to fabricate the most common types of metal interlocking weather-stripping. Bagala now sells those products.
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PEMKO Manufacturing Co., Inc.
4226 Transport Street Ventura, CA 93003 Telephone: 800 283-9988 Click HERE for company website. While the category is "Perimeter Gasketing" / "Wood Door Metal Weather-stripping" the same system is used for windows. |
 Only available through distributors like Builders' Hardware (see under "Hardware")
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Click HERE for catalog of perimeter weather-stripping. Scroll down to page 11/107.
 Click to enlarge. |
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Dorbin Metal Strip Mfg. Co., Inc.
2404 South Cicero Ave. Cicero, Illinois 60804-3492 Chicago Phone: 708-656-9496 Cicero Phone: 708-656-2333 Click HERE for website catalog |
 Click to enlarge. |
 Click to enlarge. |
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Bagala Window Works, Inc.
677 Main Street Westbrook, ME 04092 Telephone: (207) 887-9231 email: info@accuratemachinemade.com Click HERE for website (weather-strip page) |
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Bagala Window Works has bought up the machinery formerly used by Accurate Machine-made Metal Weatherstrip (of New York), and is selling weather-stripping to the public through their website.
This is a welcome addition to the other companies that provide this valuable service. |
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Wm. A. Kilian Hardware Co. 8450 Germantown Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19118 Phone: 215-247-0945 Fax: 215-247-1870 Click HERE for website (weather-stripping page). |
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Among the many fine hardware products sold by the Wm Kilian Hardware Co. is metal interlocking weather-stripping.
You will find the bronze and zinc weather-stripping products in four different sections, all accessed from the page linked to HERE. The page opens with spring bronze weather-strip but if you scroll down you will find: - Jamb Weatherstrip Standard - Jamb Weather-strip Return Flange - Head and sill Weatherstrip - Meeting Rail Weatherstrip Don't forget to get (zinc/zinc-coated) nails! |