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What's a storm window?

Keeping out the cold and more.

Storm windows are secondary glazing for existing windows. Their purpose is to reduce the air filtration, and as such provide a further level of insulation for your home. For some, people this will be as good an alternative as replacement windows.

Materials for storm windows.

Depending on your required level of energy efficiency, storm windows may be glazed with a single or double pane of glass. The storm window is custom designed to fit seamlessly over the existing window. Because vinyl is so easy to manipulate to the right size or shape, it is often the material of choice for storm windows, although there can also be constructed from wood, aluminum, steel or vinyl or steel clad wood. Remember that if you opt for vinyl, make sure that the extrusion has sufficient cells to make the frame strong. Visit this page for more information on material types.

Additional benefits - shut out the noise.

One additional benefit of storm windows, especially if they are double-glazed, is their capacity to reduce noise. This comes from the wide air cavity between the primary and secondary glazing. This makes storm windows an interesting home improvement for people who live near busy roads or in aircraft flight paths.

Don't forget functionality.

In the summer or in warmer months, you will most likely wish to be able to open your windows. In some cases this will mean removing the window completely. There exist, however, many models that include a sliding section that allows you to open the window without removal.

If your property is fully air-conditioned, and the windows are likely to remain shut during the hottest months, you may wish to consider high-performance glass in your storm windows to reduce the amount of heat passing into your home, and so improve your energy efficiency.

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