Yet another smart write-up by Charles Bickford regarding cost effective home windows packed with straightforward fact as well as present information that most homeowners can benefit from. Benefit from it.<\/p>\n
This article appeared in the Fall 2021 issue of This Old House Magazine. Click here to learn how to subscribe.<\/p>\n
Until double-pane windows became popular in the 1970s, the only way homeowners could improve the thermal performance of drafty, single-pane units was to add exterior storm windows<\/a>. For the more than 40 million homes that still have single-glazed windows, adding storms continues to be a smart way to protect the main sashes from weather, block out traffic sounds, and improve energy performance\u00ad\u2014for less than the cost of replacement windows<\/a>. When added to handsome original windows worth preserving, they can uphold a historical home\u2019s architectural integrity, too.<\/p>\n Those familiar \u201ctriple-tracks,\u201d which hold one screen and two glass sashes on separate tracks, were invented in the 1930s as a weather-resistant alternative to wood-frame storm windows<\/a>; they allowed homeowners to swap glass for insect screens in summer, without having to remove the storms. Early steel models tended to rust; after 1945, when manufacturers switched to rustproof aluminum, this style really took off.<\/p>\n Today\u2019s storm windows<\/a> are generally made of aluminum that\u2019s enamel-coated to further resist corrosion, and come equipped with screens and sliding glass panels. When fitted with glass that has a low-e coating, they can save as much energy as new windows. \u201cStorm window technology has improved substantially over the last several years,\u201d says Quanta Technologies\u2019 Jay Reyher, an 11-year industry veteran. \u201cNot only is the cost less than that of a replacement window, the performance is equivalent, and the life span is often longer.\u201d<\/p>\n Storm windows with aluminum frames, the most common type, cost about $80 to $185 for a 30\u00d750-inch unit, uninstalled. Wood-framed storms are a specialty item; prices start at $200 for a 30\u00d750-inch unit.<\/p>\n Enamel-coated aluminum frames should last at least 30 to 40 years, and wood frames that are sealed or painted will last as long if maintained. The glass should last for the life of the frame.<\/p>\n It ranges from five years to a limited lifetime warranty. Sometimes the glass is included; if not, the company may sell an extended warranty for it.<\/p>\n Installing storm windows<\/a> can be challenging for a DIYer, especially on upper floors, where the work often requires two people on extension ladders. No special tools are needed, however\u2014just a paint scraper, a caulk gun, and a drill\/driver. Expect to pay about $50 to $200 per window for a pro installation, depending on where you live and the type of storm windows<\/a> involved.<\/p>\n Storm windows are an economical choice for many homeowners. Here are the benefits and drawbacks to consider.<\/p>\n Ian Worpole<\/p>\n<\/div>\n While you can still buy triple-tracks, most storm windows<\/a> today have two tracks. Instead of three operable panels (two glass, one screen), each on a separate track, a typical two-track system has an upper glass panel and a lower screen panel on the outer track, and a glass panel on the inner track that slides up and down for ventilation (as shown above). Fewer tracks allow for a thinner, less noticeable frame. Storms can also be labeled as a combination; this catchall term means there\u2019s a screen and movable glass panels, although the exact configurations vary depending on the manufacturer.<\/p>\n Exterior frames equipped with glass panels are typically made of aluminum or woods such as mahogany, Spanish cedar, or pine.<\/p>\n Affordable and durable, aluminum units screw into the window frames or on top of the casings, and come with standard or low-e glass panels. The best models have coatings on the frames that resist corrosion to help ensure smooth operation. Some brands offer a wide range of color choices. <\/p>\n Fixed:<\/strong> These have slim, low-profile frames that are less noticeable from the street. Shown:<\/strong> 502-PW Architectural Low-e Storm Window, available in 185 custom colors. $185 for a 28\u00d758-inch unit; QuantaPanel<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Combination:<\/strong> Their double-track design delivers a cleaner look than their bulkier triple-track predecessors. Shown:<\/strong> Performance Series L301ES Double-Hung Storm Window, from $85 for a 31\u00d755-inch unit; Larson<\/p>\n<\/div>\n These are a specialty item and a custom order. The frames are typically solid wood with mortise-and-tenon joinery; they usually come primed or painted. They fit inside the window frame and are held in place with turn buttons or are attached to the head casing with hanger clips. Low-e glass may be an option.<\/p>\n Fixed:<\/strong> If installed with hangers, these can be pushed out from the bottom, awning style, for ventilation. Some units have hardware attached to the frames to hold them open. Shown:<\/strong> Traditional Storm Window, from $198 for a 30\u00d750-inch unit; Adams Architectural Millwork Co.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Combination:<\/strong> These have a historical look but also slide open to allow in fresh air through the screen. Shown:<\/strong> All-Season Hanging Window with reproduction hanging hardware, about $400 for a 30\u00d750-inch unit; SpencerWorks Inc.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Low-emissivity, or low-e, glass has a film applied to one side that reflects heat and UV rays; it is 30 to 50 percent more energy efficient than standard glass. That\u2019s why storms made with it typically have Energy Star certification, meaning they meet or exceed standards for air infiltration and heat transmission. When offered as an add-on, the cost is 10 to 15 percent more than for standard glass.<\/p>\n Ian Worpole<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Follow these guidelines from Tom Silva to ensure storm windows<\/a> will fit snugly and operate smoothly.<\/p>\n Unobtrusive wood storms blend seamlessly with the original windows on this historic house in Portland, OR. Shown:<\/strong> Custom Douglas fir units by Stephen Colvin<\/p>\n Kitta Bodmer<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Here are some ways to work with your home\u2019s facade, whether the goal is for storms to blend in or stand out.<\/p>\n Compression-fit storms install in minutes; simply press them into the window frame. Shown:<\/strong> Standard Grade storm window, about $324 for a 30\u00d750-inch unit; Indow<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Storm windows installed on the inside save energy without changing the look of your home\u2019s exterior.<\/p>\n Interior storm windows<\/a> with features like low-e glass and airtight seals have been around for about a decade\u2014and their popularity is growing. Homeowners like that they\u2019re not visible from the street; they\u2019re also the only option for windows that swing out, including most casement styles. Unlike exterior units, they don\u2019t protect windows from the weather. But they do rival exterior storms when it comes to saving energy and reducing noise.<\/p>\n They are either \u201cpermanent,\u201d attached to the window jamb with screws, or held in place via a compression or magnetic frame. The panels come in glass or acrylic; some are fixed, while others slide open to let in fresh air. Interior units are made to order to your exact measurements. Expect to pay $240 and up for a 30\u00d750-inch window.<\/p>\n Acrylic panels, in particular, scratch easily, so if you plan to remove interior storms in the spring, manufacturers suggest wrapping each one securely in a bedsheet or the packaging it came in, and storing them flat, no more than three in a stack.<\/p>\n Interior storms work with out-swinging casement windows<\/a>. Shown:<\/strong> Outswing Casement Magnetic One Lite Interior Option, from $175 for a 19\u00bd\u00d724-inch unit; Allied Window Inc.<\/p>\n Courtesy: Allied Window, Inc., Cincinnati<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Interior storm windows<\/a> are held in place in different ways.<\/p>\n Get the historical look for less: With ready-to-assemble window kits by Adams Architectural Millworks, you\u2019ll save 30 percent on the cost of an exterior storm. The kits include a precut pine frame; the customer supplies the glass and the labor.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n This article was first provided on this site<\/a>.<\/p>\n Hope you enjoyed that information that they shared. Let us have your views just below, write a short comment and let us know which things you want us to write about in upcoming blog posts.<\/p>\n You can find similar content on our blog: surewindows.com<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Yet another smart write-up by Charles Bickford regarding cost effective home windows packed with straightforward fact as well as present information that most homeowners can benefit from. Benefit from it. This article appeared in the Fall 2021 issue of This Old House Magazine. Click here to learn how to subscribe. Until double-pane windows became popular … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":269,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[26,28,15,16,17,13,11,12,14,22,21,8,27,19,10,32,31,30,29,33,6,18,9,35,20,23,24,7,34,25],"class_list":["post-268","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-replacement-windows","tag-aluminum-windows","tag-andersen","tag-awning-windows","tag-bay-windows","tag-bow-windows","tag-casement-windows","tag-commercial-windows","tag-custom-windows","tag-double-hung-windows","tag-double-pane-windows","tag-egress-windows","tag-energy-efficient-windows","tag-fiberglass-windows","tag-french-windows","tag-house-windows","tag-jeld-wen","tag-marvin","tag-milgard","tag-pella","tag-ply-gem","tag-replacement-windows","tag-round-windows","tag-storm-windows","tag-sunrise-windows","tag-transom-windows","tag-triple-pane-windows","tag-vinyl-windows","tag-window-installation","tag-windsor","tag-wood-windows"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/surewindows.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/268","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/surewindows.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/surewindows.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/surewindows.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/surewindows.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=268"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/surewindows.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/268\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/surewindows.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/269"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/surewindows.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=268"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/surewindows.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=268"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/surewindows.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=268"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Things to Know About Storm Windows<\/h2>\n
What do they cost? <\/h3>\n
How long do they last?<\/h3>\n
What\u2019s the warranty?<\/h3>\n
Should you DIY or hire it out?<\/h3>\n
Are They Storm Windows Right for You?<\/h2>\n
Pros of Storm Windows<\/h3>\n
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Cons of Storm Windows<\/h3>\n
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Anatomy of a \u201cdouble-track\u201d<\/h2>\n
TOH Pro Tip<\/h3>\n
Types of Storm Windows<\/h2>\n
Aluminum<\/h3>\n
Wood<\/h3>\n
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Look for the Energy Star label<\/h3>\n
Tips for Installing Storm Windows <\/h2>\n
On older Eastern-style casings<\/strong>, storms are centered over the opening, and the fins attach to the surface of the window casing. The units should be at least 1 1\/4 inches wider and 1\/2 inch taller than the window opening\u2019s largest measurement; this ensures there\u2019s enough material for the screws to bite into. <\/li>\nBoost the view from the curb<\/h3>\n
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The interior option<\/h3>\n
How are storm windows<\/a> mounted?<\/h3>\n
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How to save money on installation<\/h3>\n