How wood storm windows can lower your heating costs
Wood storm windows are usually used to improve the vitality efficiency of older homes, and are used to prevent shedding the old style aesthetic appeal that would happen if you simply replaced the window with modern double glazing windows.
In my belief that would be criminal in any case, the older windows are generally quite beautiful and reflect the character of more honorable or refined times.
Wood storm windows can be mounted on the outside or inside of an existing window and specifically since they are made of wood they are more genuine and have a more organic look and feel to them. They could even be made to match the existing fittings to further preserve the character of your home.
Internally mounted Wood Storm Windows vs Externally Mounted
Internally mounted wood storm windows are generally a better investment, as they are easier to maintain and get to and they have much larger longevity, as they are not exposed to the elements as are externally mounted wood storm windows which tend to degrade over time.
Secondly externally mounted wood storm windows need weep holes at the bottom of the window to allow moisture to escape, which means that you lose a lot of heat efficiency – and you cannot plug up the holes or you run the risk of having your internal windows rotting.
Some advantages of wood storm windows,
The primary advantage of wood storm windows over the alternatives (aluminum)
is that aluminum conducts heat and will allow loss of heat very rapidly – which detracts from the primary goal of getting wood storm windows put in in the very first place.
The other chief frame type is vinyl, the particular problem with vinyl as opposed to wood storm windows is that vinyl can warp in hot sun and even crack if it gets too cold.(not actually good considering you need it to guard against cold!)
Obviously wood storm windows vastly improve your home energy efficiency and reduce your heating system bill and your carbon footprint, and they do not destroy the look and feel of an older 'classic' style property by retrofitting new modern windows which almost destroy the soul of a home.. we usually say the eyes are the windows of the soul, well the windows are SO essential that they are like the soul of a house.
wood storm windows almost come with as many variations and selections as your budget can allow, from cheap plastic designed to last a single season to very durable glass variations with
wood storm windows can use double or even triple glazing with low emissivity glass, essentially this means that the glass glazing inside wood storm windows can be coated with a metallic oxide – which is so thin its invisible, yet this coating can improve your heat retention up to 50%. You can even get low heat transmission muntin(which is the separator between the panes of glass to further improve your heat efficiency.)
Lastly I would suggest investing in windows that stand the test of time, wood storm windows when properly cared for have been proven to last for more than just one lifetime, so its a good investment to get the best that you can manage and not choose the cheaper option.