Home Insulation

A storm panel added to a single or double pane window can cut energy costs in winter by reducing heat loss by as much as 50%. They are also less expensive than low-E, argon filled windows. You can add them to the exterior or interior side of windows.

Exterior Panels

There are two types of exterior storm window panels: single and combination. Single storm panels are made of glass, rigid plastic, or plastic sheeting. You typically put them up in the fall and take them down in the spring. A combination panel consists of two window panes and a permanent screen over the window. In the summer, you can slide one of the panes up and the screen down for ventilation.

Exterior storm window panels need to be custom-made.

Interior Panels

Interior storm window panels consist of flexible (like polyethylene) or rigid plastic. Rigid plastic panels are typically mounted using Velcro, magnetic, or snap-in seals. You can easily install the flexible type in window frames using snap-in retainer seals or double-faced tape. Despite their ease of installation, interior panels are usually not as clear as their rigid counterparts. Flexible panels may also wrinkle or sag after installation.

Heat-shrink film, however, doesn’t wrinkle. This type of flexible film adheres tightly against the seal as it’s heated using a hair dryer.

Interior storm window panels should go up before the heating season and come down before the cooling season. They are more useful for windows with awnings or for those that crank-out, where it’s difficult to use an exterior storm window panel.

Unlike exterior storm window panels, interior panels don’t have to be custom-made to fit windows, though custom-made ones are available from some window suppliers. Therefore, interior panels usually cost less. You can purchase interior panel kits from building suppliers or hardware stores.

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Windows are the most inefficient when it comes to insulation in your home. A single glazed ( one pane of glass ) window has an R value of only 1. Dual glazed windows are R 2. Triple glazed and dual glazed Low-E windows are R 3.2. If you add Argon gas to your Low-E windows you will have an R 4 window. This is only if the windows are not drafty. The least expensive way to cut energy costs is to make sure that there are no places around the windows and the window sills where air can leak in or out. Caulk any areas that might be suspect. On opening windows make sure that the weather stripping is making a proper seal. If not, replace it. There are several ways that you can increase the insulation of your window glazing in your home. You can install insulating blinds or heavy curtains. This works well over night or if you are not home during the day. You can install a thin film around the outside edge of the window sill. Kits are available at most hardware stores.

You can install or have installed a storm windows either outside or inside the house. For inside the house, there is an acrylic window that can be installed using a magnetic seal. Make sure the weather stripping around the doors are sealing properly. I found a magnetic weather stripping that works well on metal doors. Magnetic weather stripping can be found at most hardware stores.

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