Storm windows are often a much lower cost approach to address leaky single pane windows in older homes. Our sister company has installed lots of storm windows in the Atlanta area – particularly in the in-town areas where historical associations make window replacement difficult and expensive. Larson manufactures a wide variety of high quality storm products. Their lower end product lines are available in Lowe’s but our sister company that implements the improvements have access to all of their products including Premiere Series Low E storm windows, Low E Comfort Seal Insider Series windows, and Secure Pro Security storm windows. These are not the ugly cheap 1980’s era storm windows that most people think of when they think of storm windows. Larson windows are highly effective but also keep a low profile to keep with the original aesthetic of the home.
Why Low-E Storm Windows?
Low E storm windows will produce similar savings at a far lower initial cost than full window replacement. Storm windows help reduce air movement into and out of existing windows, helping to improve comfort and reduce heating and cooling costs. Storm windows with a low-e coating reflect heat back inside the house during the winter and reflect it outside during the summer, keeping the home more comfortable. Older storm windows were typically just clear glass, but these storm windows have low-e coating that lowers the emissivity of the glass and reduces heat transfer. Uncoated glass typically has an emissivity of around 0.84, while low-e coated glass can have an emissivity of 0.16 or lower. Larson storm windows can be operable with screens or picture windows. Either way, they will significantly reduce air leakage and increase comfort levels in the home.
Benefits of Low-e Storm Windows:
- Costs less than half of complete window replacement
- Aesthetically pleasing
- Operable
- Reduces drafts and increases comfort
- Reduces noise
- Similar energy savings as full window replacement
- Reflect radiant heat 35% better than clear glass storm windows
- Act as an air sealing measure and can reduce overall home air leakage by 10%
- Payback of 5-7 years
Low-e exterior or interior storm windows can save you 12%–33% on heating and cooling costs, depending on the type of window already installed in the home.
Interior vs. Exterior
Storm windows are available for most types of windows. They can be installed on the interior or exterior of the primary window. For the most part, interior storm windows offer greater convenience than exterior storm windows. Interior storm windows also are often the best choice for apartments and houses with more than one floor. They’re easier to install and remove and they require less maintenance because they’re not exposed to the elements. Interior storm windows seal tightly to the primary window that makes them more effective at reducing air infiltration.
