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What are storm windows?
The term refers to self-contained, fitted windows which go over your
additional windows to give your home an additional layer of
insulation. Although not every model is considered gorgeous to look
at, often you can find a nice compromise between form and function
if you educate yourself about the materials involved. These days
storm windows come in everything from aluminum to wood, ensuring you
are never without good options to match any home. Storm windows also
come in a variety of window pane materials as well, including at
least one good option to suit any budget.
The reasons to make an investment of this sort are manifold. Most
commonly cited, of course, is that fact that storm windows can lower
your power bills considerably. It’s hardly a secret that homes lose
much of their vaunted climate control through windows, and older
homes can easily sacrifice up to 25 percent of that energy from
single-pane windows. When you add storm windows, you can
significantly reduce the amount of heat and cold lost to the
elements – some studies have put the number above 30 percent.
Savings like this will quickly accumulate and eventually even
provide seed money to do further repairs, if you desire.
Of course when you save energy, you are also preserving something
equally important: comfort. Older windows tend to create pockets of
hot and cold air in your home’s meeting spaces, effectively turning
an evening at home into a minefield of fluctuating temperatures. One
of the great assets of storm windows is that they release heat far
more slowly than traditional windows, giving all the air time to
blend and mix more effectively. Some homeowners report their homes
suddenly felt larger after adding storm windows – a byproduct of the
fact that many rooms suddenly became far more livable from wall to
wall!
Another nice thing about storm windows is that they do more than
regulate temperature in the home – most varieties also block the
sun’s UV radiation. If you have valuable furniture, delicate
curtains or flooring made of natural material, you may have noticed
just how damaging UV rays can be over time. Although glass is
generally considered UV-opaque, older and thinner windows often let
a significant amount of this devastating radiation into the house.
The result? Faded fibers, damaged artworks and floors that preserve
shadows and images long after the sun has set. With good storm
windows, you can reverse this trend and keep out everything but
visible light, extending the life span of your favorite items by a
matter of decades.
One final advantage gets top billing in the name itself, however:
storm protection. In addition to the many ways such clever products
can make your life comfortable, storm windows can also save your
life. Most of the best storm windows are designed with shatterproof
Plexiglas or plastic that can withstand tremendous punishment. If
you live in an area that is prone to hurricanes or there is any risk
of an errant branch finding its way to your home’s façade, having a
solid storm window in place may offer the best protection you can
get. Even if you are in the habit of taping up your windows when
gale force winds arrive, these sturdy and reliable products can
spare you from the fear and uncertainty of a major twister.
Do some homework on the many varieties of storm window if you want
to find a match for your needs. From interior and exterior models to
multi-pane versions and more, the market for storm windows is nearly
as big as the market for windows themselves. |
