Q–Are storm windows a good investment? We’re buying a home in Chicago and right now there are no storms, just single-pane windows all the way around the house. The real estate agent suggested storm windows and a friend suggested replacement windows. Can you tell us about storm windows?
A–Old worn-out windows are often the main reason a home feels cold and drafty in the winter months. Anyone who has lived in a house or apartment without storm windows knows how much colder it can be than in a home with them.
An outdated single-pane window is only about one-third as energy efficient as the typical new double- or triple-pane glazed (meaning sheets of glass) windows available on the market now, according to U.S. Department of Energy data. But such new windows are also very expensive. They can cost tens of thousands of dollars. And it takes years, if not decades, to see a return in their investment as far as energy savings.
Plus, in many homes, replacing the existing windows with new windows doesn’t work out aesthetically because the new windows might not match the window openings, frames and woodwork. This is where storm windows come in.
Storm windows are a popular choice with homeowners in the Chicago area because of their cost and durability. Storm windows are a second window–or sheet of glass–which is mounted in a frame just outside the primary window. They offer some of the energy efficiency of a double- or triple-glazed window by creating a dead air space between the two sheets of glass, in effect creating an insulated area that prevents heat loss and keeps cold drafts from trickling in.
What a dual- or triple-pane window has that a regular and storm window doesn’t is usually inert gas such as argon between those sheets of gas. That gas gives the double- or triple-window a much better insulation value than plain air does. On many older homes, a glass storm window is contained in a wooden frame that needs to be manually hung from the outside (in the summer, a screen in the same size frame is hung in its place). To hang these storm windows can be a very physical and time-consuming job. But the up side is that the wooden storms look suitable with an older home and can be part of an exterior’s decor. They can also be painted to blend in with a home’s exterior.
A second more popular type of storm window is a metal or aluminum frame in which glass and screen panes slide in and out of tracks. While not as aesthetically pleasing as the wood frames, the aluminum requires little maintenance. On newer homes, storm-window frames can be made of vinyl. Like aluminum, they require little maintenance but may not look as good as wood storms.
The key with storm windows is making sure they function properly. If a storm window is loose, rattles or has cracks or gaps, its efficiency is reduced dramatically. Most storms can be repaired at your local hardware store, which can also produce replacement storms or screens.
Here’s another storm window tip. Make sure the frame around the storm is well sealed with pliable caulk. That will greatly reduce cold air infiltration. Do not plug the small weep holes at the bottom of the storm, however. They allow moisture to trickle out, preventing harm to the window frames.
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Got a question about home energy or home environmental issues? Write to Energy Q&A, Chicago Tribune, Your Place section, 435 N. Michigan Ave., 4th Floor, Chicago, IL 60611. Or you can e-mail energyqa@aol.com. Questions will be answered only through the column.
