What Are Storm Windows and Does Your House Need Them?

Have you ever noticed that your home feels overly hot and frigid at various times of the year? Do you live close to a busy road and suffer from the noise coming from outside constantly?

Upgrading your windows with new storm windows might be an option for you. These simple glass covers can stop lots of noise and insulate your home adequately to keep out the cold.

But what are storm windows? Does your house need them? Well, storm windows are additional window panels that fold down to the ground when not in use.

The panels form an airtight seal with the outside of the window frame, stopping wind and rain from entering. Want to learn more about storm windows? Stay with us.

What is Storm?

The storm is a powerful and dangerous weather phenomenon that can cause significant damage. A storm can form when warm air from the Earth’s surface rises and mixes with colder air aloft.

This process can lead to the development of thunderstorms, which are tiny cells filled with rain, hail, and gusty winds.

A storm can also develop from a disturbance in the atmosphere – such as an air mass moving over a body of water – that creates the wind, rain, and possible tornadoes.

What Are Storm Windows?

A window that has been damaged in a storm can be difficult to fix and will require replacement.  That’s where storm windows come in. Storm windows are installed alongside existing windows on the exterior of the home to inhibit wind and guard against rain.

They’re often a good option to consider in lieu of more expensive, permanent replacement window installation since storm windows can often be put up in place of individual windows over a more permanent period of time.

Storm windows can significantly reduce the amount of damage done to your home in a storm, and should be considered if you live in an area that experiences heavy rainfall or snowfall.

Pros And Cons Of Storm Windows

There are several advantages and disadvantages to installing storm windows. Anticipation of pros oftentimes should outweigh the expectation of cons, but it is extremely important to comprehend both sides.

Pros:

• They’re energy-efficient
• Prevents air leakage
• Transmission of noise is significantly reduced by them
• A cheaper solution in terms of repairing older window units
• They provide excellent protection against the storm, rain, ice, and so on.

Cons:

• Not convenient to install as a DIY approach
• Some models remain closed all the time
• Wooden frames need intense maintenance

How Are They Different From Regular Windows?

Storm windows are designed to protect your home from wind and weather damage. They have special features that help keep the wind and rain out, including heavy-duty gaskets, reinforced frames, and impact-resistant glass. They can also be closed completely to block out daylight or ventilation when it’s cold outside.

There are a few main differences between storm windows and regular windows. Generally, storm windows are made out of a different material than regular windows.

This material is thicker and more durable, which means that it can withstand harsher weather conditions (like rain and snow) better. In addition, storm windows typically have a hinged or sliding window that opens from the bottom up, rather than from the top down like regular windows.

Do I Need To Install Them For My House?

While your building codes might give you a clear direction on whether it’s mandatory to install storm windows or not, there are some things to consider before making that decision.

• In case, your area experiences severe weather, such as tornadoes or hurricanes, it is important to have storm windows in order to protect yourself and your family. Storm windows are also a good investment because they can make your home more energy-efficient and help keep out noise and heat.

• If your home is older, it may not have the type of construction that would necessitate the installation of storm windows. In this case, weather protection may come from other means like caulking and insulation.
• Your budget will also play a role in whether you should install storm windows. Storm window costs can vary greatly depending on the model and size of the window.

How Long Do They Last?

Storm windows can endure for decades and are good at resisting storm damage. Metal-framed storm windows as those are crafted from enamel-coated aluminum will oftentimes last for forty years.

Wooden frames can also make long lives if they’re refurbished effectively. The glass can last as long as the frame does.

Types Of Storm Windows

There are three major kinds of storm windows internal storm windows, external storm windows, and temporary storm windows.

• Internal Storm Windows

Fit into odd window sizes; indoor storm windows are little, lightweight plastics, acrylics, or glass that are installed or uninstalled within a couple of minutes as well as personalized to fit just about any sort of window.

Some are made of clear plastic; other individuals are manufactured from vinyl or fiberglass.

Besides, some internal storm windows have magnets on the outside to attach to, while others contain some sort of compression mechanism on the inside to take advantage of.

The interior storm windows are designed to fit snugly in the frames of interior windows; their tight seal helps to maximize their insulating and sound-deadening abilities.

• External Storm Windows

External storm windows are applied in a number of different configurations, standard window sizes, and in a variety of materials, such as wood, aluminum, and vinyl.

These storm windows must have weep holes to allow condensation to drain, and they will never provide 100% weather tightness. Because these windows don’t present as much ingress protection as interior storm windows do, older wood-framed windows can endure less use.

• Temporary Storm Windows

The primary function of temporary and disposable storm windows occurs during the colder months. Such windows can be obtained in sizes that fit a hole that’s the same size as a panel’s sheet, which has an adhesive strip to attach it directly to the glass.

Temporary storm windows are created out of an adhesive film that is taken to the window’s inside surface and shrunk with a hair dryer to create a tight seal.

Final Words

So, what’s your thought? What are storm windows and does your house need them? Hopefully, you have got the answer. Storm windows are great add-ons to your house no matter if it’s mandatory or not. If you want to save on your energy bill and need greater weather protection, storm windows are always the top choice.

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