Plastic storm windows

I'm trying to find the material used on some plastic storm windows. I've only seen it twice, first on storm windows on my parent's house in Florida, and then on a restaurant entrance in Connecticut. The contractor that did my parent's place is out of business, and although the restaurant manager promised to get me a name, she never did. These are custom made windows on aluminum frames, but I'm just looking for the plastic material itself.

Anyway, this is a very clear, slightly stretchy plastic. I'm not talking about the real thin stretchy stuff they sell for winterizing. It's tough clear like the vinyl plastic used on convertible tops, but stretchier. Because it's stretchy, it pulls tight and flat so as not to distort vision through it... not as good as glass, of course, but better than the average convertible top.

I want to use it for winter windows on my screen porch... there will be a bunch of 4' square windows on light wood frames, so glass would be too heavy (the windows will be top hinged and hooked to the ceiling when open) and plexiglass would cost more than I care to spend right now.

Anybody have any ideas where I can find this stuff? Please don't guess at a source if you don't know; I work with various industrial plastic suppliers but I haven't been able to identify this specific material.

Thanks, I'll check that out.

ironpony said:

if that is the company I was looking at to do the same thing you are thinking, it does not come 4 feet wide I had to do 2 panels in each 4 foot section.

Click to expand...

No, they have it 54" wide which is perfect... if it's the right stuff. I sent them an email asking if I can get a sample.

I'm not sure of the thickness or even the material. However, the supplier in the link above says the .040" is UV resistant, so that sounds like the one to use. No samples, though. Also, I read elsewhere on the web that the calendared vinyl is stretched a bit during manufacture, so application of heat makes it shrink. That may be just the ticket in getting it to stretch tight.

I'm planning on a wood frame, 1x2 (might not be stiff enough) or 1x3. I'll have to experiment first with one before I make all 10.