Hi,

Thanks for the info, wonderful!  However I can't find the rivets believe it or not.  I live in Florida, do you have any suggestions?  Thanks much,

leslie

Hi Leslie,

I think just about every hardware store carries rivets.  The boxes are small and sometimes hard to find on the shelf.  Try asking a store clerk.  If the store doesn't carry rivets, just go to one of the big name stores (Home Depot, Lowes, etc.) and you can be sure they sell rivets.

Aloha, Mike

Thanks for the info, Mike! I live in Los Angeles, and am buying a house will all louvered/jalousied windows in all manner of repair/disrepair. Some appear simply stuck. Is this from corrosion, or perhaps that the mechanisms are bent? I'm not in the house yet so I haven't inspected them closely.

Best, MB

PS. Great photos too!

Hi MB,

In Hawaii we have corrosion from the salt air.  In Los Angeles, perhaps its the air if you're close to the ocean. 

Hardware stores sell the complete mechanisms (the whole aluminum frame) for reasonable prices.  If your jalousie window mechanisms are in really bad shape and are mounted in a wood window frame, it might be easier just to remove the old mechanisms and replace the entire set.  The glass is okay to reuse if the panes are not broken.

Aloha, Mike

Thanks for the pointers, Mike. I also appreciate the encouragement, because at first glance they are a little mystifying, but now (thanks to your photos and instructions) I am confident that I can figure them out and get them working again. I already have a rivet gun. I'll pick up some silicone lubricant. Is there a product or material that remediates or conditions salt corrosion on aluminum? Best, MB

I use a spray called "Corrosion X" - developed for aircraft and military equipment.  There are other similar products at hardware stores.  Just leave a thin film on the metal and it will stop the corrosion.  It needs to be reapplied periodically.

Rust on the steel portions will occur more quickly than corrosion on the aluminum.  Make sure and have the metal surfaces protected.

Thanks for your comments!

Aloha, Mike

Mike,

I live in Florida and am having problems with the crank on a window.  I'm not exactly sure of the progression, as it's at a rental I own.  When the crank is turned clockwise, it opens the window.  However, when turned counter, the crank unscrews itself and falls out.  Aside from a non-working window, the additional concern is that the window panes will not close all the way.  Any thoughts on this one?

Thanks, Jeff

Hi Jeff,

It sounds to me like the operator mechanism is shot.  The operator is usually held onto the window frame by two or four screws.  You can remove the screws and then pull the operator from the frame.  It will be attached to the window by a short arm.  You can detach the short arm by removing a small circlip or screw (depending on the manufacturer).

Take the mechanism to the hardware store and buy a replacement for around $10-$15.  This should solve the problem.

Note to readers: The operator is a mechanism with a turning handle that opens and closes the jalousie windows.  It is not pictured in the photos above.

Aloha, Mike

Thank you for the suggestion on the operator mechanism.  Your level of detail is quite helpful.  Jeff

I live in Hi and have jalusoie windows that are falling out. The end clips tips are warn or missing. Do you know if there is a product that could fix this. My windows work fine but falling out should be easy to fix. 

Help me out thanks.

Hi Dave,

Check Craigslist and see if you can find someone giving away old jalousie parts.  If you're patient and keep checking you'll find some.  For immediate help, you can buy a complete jalousie assembly from City Mill for about $15, then remove the end clips.  I have not seen the clips for sale separately, you might want to check at Home Depot and Lowe's.

Good luck!

Mike

 is there another way i can remove the broken rivets w/o a drill?

Hi Jordan,

I can't think of a way to do it without a drill.  You can get an inexpensive drill for around $10-15.

Aloha, Mike

Hi Mike - I have a different type of louvered window where the mechanism is white plastic (vinyl?) rather than metal.  They sure look nice and the mechanism still works great but all the clips that keep the window panes in place on the east and south side of the house (I am in Kauai close to the water) have all borken down from I guess UV so the panes are slipping out.  This place is only a few years old!  I tried taking out the mechanism so as to just replace the things that hold the glass, took it in to this old Japanese fellow who repairs lots of jalousies but i haven't heard from him and he was pretty skeptical (most people have the aluminum kind).  about a year ago, I used white duct tape to tape all the glass in place.  Temporary fix.  Any other suggestions besides replacing all the windows (um, probably several thousand dollars...)

Thanks!

Hi CS,

My best suggestion is to check the internet or the Yellow Pages for Honolulu stores that can repair or replace the parts at an affordable price.

I have lived on several of the neighbor islands and sometimes found it frustrating trying to find various household items.  The solution usually involved calling or flying to Oahu.

Aloha, Mike

Hey Mike,

Awesome site!  This is in regards to the question about getting broken rivets out without using a drill.  Using a plier, I was able to squeeze, twist and jiggle out the remaining piece.  You really have to get a good grip on the stump, and be gentle though, because of the corrosion, it crumbles quite easily and once you round down the stump you'll definitely need a drill.  I was lucky that the stumps I had still jutted out nicely.  I would never have been able to do it without your site.  THANKS!!!!!!

Thanks for all the information above.  It is very helpful.  However, my problem is, the round aluminum rod at the bottom of the window has a control arm on each end of the rod.  One of those arms has snapped off.  I have attempted to glue it back together with no success.  I have two questions, how do I remove that rod and where can I get another control arm to replace the broken one?  Thanks in advance for your response. 

Yes the entire mechanism may need replacement.  I've just added contact info for Pickens Window Parts (see above).  You can try them for replacement parts.

Hi, Mikey...I have a jalousie window in a 1967 mobile home at a lake...there are two plastic "A" shaped brackets that hold the square main drive rods (is that even the right description). I'm not sure if anyone has repair parts for windows that old.

Jack, please try Pickens Window Parts (513) 931-4432.

Good luck!

Mike

I am a homeowner in South Jersey. We have jalousie windows in a enclosed porch and a couple of other areas. I would like to replace these windows in the porch area and replace them with VRW that will accomodate a window air conditioner, allow for better security and ease of cleaning.  Do you have any quick tips or reminders to consider when de-installing these units?

Mike,   My Mom has a 1961 American manufactured mobile home with jalousie windows.  She lives in South Carolina.  I tried to put sticky backed insulation strips on her windows but the heat  on the aluminum just won't it adhere.  She needs all new rubber inserts between her windows but I can't find them anywhere.  I looked on the Pickens Window Parts  site but couldn't find anything. 

Thanks for any help you can give us

Hi Steve and Connie,

Steve - Jalousie window mechanisms installed in wood frames generally are held in with a couple of screws.  It should be easy to remove them.

Connie - We don't have many mobile homes in Hawaii, it's hard for me to picture exactly what you're trying to replace.  It there are gaps between the jalousie and the window frame, maybe you should try caulk.  It's inexpensive and easy to remove if things don't go right. 

Aloha, Mike

MIke,

Do you recommend taking the window panes out the frame before removing the frame?

Hi Steve,

Yes, it's usually easier to remove the window panes. If the panes are left in, some of them will likely break as the frame is removed.

Mike,

What are your recommendations for someone who wants ac in a single family home with jalousie windows??  Would replacing the windows with single hung be the best option for a long term investment?

Hi Marlie,

The easiest way to accomplish this is to remove several window panes and make enough room for the air conditioner to fit where the panes are removed.  Use some wood such as a 2" x 4" to build a frame which will support the air conditioner.  The frame can be anchored to the window sill if it's strong enough.  

Fill in the gaps between the glass and the air conditioner with a suitably cut board, foam tape or even a rolled up towel. 

If this sounds too complicated, a skilled handyman can probably do a very nice job of this within a few hours.

Aloha, Mike

Hi,

Is there a trick to slip out the glass from a jalousie door. The paperboy broke one of my panes with a hard throw. Need to replace it.

Hi Jane,

If your jalousie windows are similar to those pictured in this blog, all you have to do is gently bend the clips far enough to slide the glass out.  Sometimes people glue the glass into the clips for security, to make it more difficult for intruders to sneak in.  If your glass is glued in, it will take some gentle prying to get the panes out.

Aloha, Mike

Mike, how do you prevent the rivet gun from fastening too tightly? I drilled out all of my old mechanisms, riveted them all back in, but now they're too tight to open and close.

Hi Randall,

For some odd reason I did not have that problem, I don't know why.  My suggestion is to shim the rivet with something, perhaps a thin plastic washer to keep the rivet from pulling too tight.  The washer should be cut on one side so it's open ended.  After you rivet the parts together, pull the washer out.  That should do it.

Aloha, Mike

I also live in Hawaii (Oahu) and have the white plastic that clips into the frame.  I see a posting above.  I need to replace mine as all the window's are falling out.  Did anyone know where to purchase or order these?  HELP!!  My bathroom looks a mess!

Sharon,

There are several specialty window shops in town.  Try Windows of Hawaii or Coastal Windows.

Hi Sharon - I just retaped these white plastic jalousies - takes a little while but then it buys you another year.  I tear clear or white duct tape longitudinally then wrap the ends of the glass onto the clips (most of them just the end of the clip is broken down.  If the entire clip is disintegrating, it's too late and this won't work.  I prophylactically taped all the windows. 

Thanks for the previous advice Mikey, but whenever I'm in Honolulu, I never seem to make time for a window/hardware store and never seem to have a car (take TheBus or have someone pick me up) so I just keep doing the temporary fix.  Where's that Supa Ferry- could have done some serious shopping damage if I could ferry over my own car!  Wil check into the window stores by phone some day (prob when I want to sell the place and have to fix everying you normally just live with)

Mahalo! Great instructions.Very clear. Really appreciate the visuals,too.