Replacing Broken Window Parts

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If a channel guide or slide tab is broken, you may or may not be able to get replacement parts, depending on the manufacturer. Start your search with the installer if you know them. If the manufacturer’s name appears on the unit then call hardware stores or storm window installers and ask if they have parts and if they can install them. Otherwise, take the broken part to the store to see if they have a match. They should be able to install the parts at minimal cost or else show you how to put them in yourself.

Operating hardware such as extension arms, latches, operating handles and in some cases hinges needs to be cleaned and lubricated periodically. Brush the parts with an old toothbrush to remove loose dust. Apply a few drops of a light household oil or silicone spray to the cleaned assembly. And work back and forth a few times to move the lubricant around and to check your work. Tighten any loose screws that you find.

Look at the top of your storm and screen unit where a sash meets the window frame. Do you see anything that suggests a bad fit? For example, is the top of the sash not parallel to the top of the frame? Can you feel any air movement on one side even with the window closed? These are indications that the unit was put in out-of-square and will never effectively keep out the cold. If possible, call the installer to correct the problem or hire someone else to reinstall the unit correctly. Slide the sashes up and down and examine where they meet the channels of the frame. There should be a gasket which is often made of fuzzy material that seals the sash against the frame. If the gasket is worn or cracked, install stick-on weather stripping or a new gasket. A poor seal wasters energy.