Wind damaged window latches

debodun

debodun

SF VIP
Location
way upstate in New York, USA
We had a ferocious wind yesterday. I came home from delivering meals and when I opened my bedroom door, it was as cold as it was outside. It didn't take long to determine that one of the windows blew in - it was leaning against the bed headboard. I pushed it back in place, but there's really nothing holding it because the tilt latches were broken. It needs new latches, but I'm not sure what to get. I looked at Lowe's in Clifton Park, but if I understand their web site, they don't have ANY in stock, nor does WalMart. Home Depot is in a busy, congested area that I'm not comfortable driving to. I can't order online because I don't have "plastic".

This is what an intact one looks like - it's 2.5 inches long with no screw holes:

window tilt latch.jpg
 

Aunt Bea said:
Won’t the two main window locks, on the top of the window frame, hold it in place? 🤔
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Good suggestion, Aunt Bea. It does on one side, so I guess that's better than nothing. Maybe I can get to a hardware store after the holiday frenzy dies down. In my former home, they were double hung windows. Now they are single pane with a screen outside.
 
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I don't like the windows in my new home. Cheap polystyrene frames and hardware. The en suite bathroom window may as well not be there for all the cold it keeps out. I can feel the wind coming in, no matter how I place the locks or towels stuffed along the sill. Have to keep that bathroom door closed in the winter or it would cool off the whole house.
 
debodun said:
I don't like the windows in my new home. Cheap polystyrene frames and hardware. The en suite bathroom window may as well not be there for all the cold it keeps out. I can feel the wind coming in, no matter how I place the locks or towels stuffed along the sill. Have to keep that bathroom door closed in the winter or it would cool off the whole house.
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If that’s the case, it might be better to start gradually replacing the failing windows a few at a time instead of trying to repair them.
 
debodun said:
I'm not sure they do or don't. Maybe I am turning them in the wrong direction. With two, does one turn clockwise and the other counterclockwise and which is which. Or do they both turn counterclockwise or clockwise?

View attachment 471281
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On mine, that would be unlocked for either one.

Sometimes I need to make sure that both the top and bottom window are completely in place before they will lock.
 
Aunt Bea said:
If that’s the case, it might be better to start gradually replacing the failing windows a few at a time instead of trying to repair them.
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I Agree! Especially since you don’t like them.
Start changing them one at a time or get a package deal to get them ALL replaced.
debodun said:
They are only 30 years old.
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30 year old windows ARE old. Your heating bill must be outrageous!
 
 
debodun said:
I'm not sure they do or don't. Maybe I am turning them in the wrong direction. With two, does one turn clockwise and the other counterclockwise and which is which. Or do they both turn counterclockwise or clockwise?

View attachment 471281
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That Lady in PA said:
What you showed us is one of two latches used to tilt the window in for cleaning.

Are you saying your windows don't lock?
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I have the same kind and age of windows in the addition. Those are the window releases for tilting the window in to clean the outside of the window. If the window is locked it wont be able to tilt in. I just checked my windows. Im pretty sure mine are locked.
The ends of both latches should point to the center of the window and face each other. So I would say the latch you show is unlocked.

I have the original 1860 windows in the rest of my house with exterior storms.
You can install storms for less than new windows. If you cant afford storms theres always those window kits.
I also use Seal and Peel removable caulk in the cracks.

https://www.amazon.com/18324-Seal-Removable-Caulk-10-1-Ounce/dp/B0002YVNOQ
 
debodun said:
We had a ferocious wind yesterday. I came home from delivering meals and when I opened my bedroom door, it was as cold as it was outside. It didn't take long to determine that one of the windows blew in - it was leaning against the bed headboard. I pushed it back in place, but there's really nothing holding it because the tilt latches were broken. It needs new latches, but I'm not sure what to get. I looked at Lowe's in Clifton Park, but if I understand their web site, they don't have ANY in stock, nor does WalMart. Home Depot is in a busy, congested area that I'm not comfortable driving to. I can't order online because I don't have "plastic".

This is what an intact one looks like - it's 2.5 inches long with no screw holes:

View attachment 471188
Click to expand...
Can't help with the latch problem but would suggest cleaning that dirty area behind the latch with chlorine bleach that looks like black mold .
 
debodun said:
I'm not sure they do or don't. Maybe I am turning them in the wrong direction. With two, does one turn clockwise and the other counterclockwise and which is which. Or do they both turn counterclockwise or clockwise?

View attachment 471281
Click to expand...
My windows appear the same as yours and that latche is in the un locked position.

Also the tilt latches probably don't have metal springs in them but a thin wavey plastic spring, after time the plastic becomes brittle and the wavey spring breaks. Then it's very easy for an unlatched window to fall in from the wind.
 
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