I'm doing some research for my window replacement project. I haven't contacted anyone yet, but I'm wondering if it's better to keep my storm windows on or have them taken off? Would I get double insulation or would the storm window system make the replacement windows less efficient?
Thanks in advance.
Remove Storm Windows?
Storm Windows
The answer is yes and no.
For vinyl replacement windows, I'd strongly recommend to have the storm windows taken off. Vinyl replacements are designed to have their own built-in screen. If a storm window remains in place, the heat buildup between the storm and the replacement unit could potentially be enough to cause vinyl profile heat distortion - in other words - it could get so hot that the vinyl could soften or distort. Vinyl replacement windows are designed to perform just fine without ever needing a storm.
Aluminum replacements or aluminum clad wood windows, on the other hand, perform just fine with storm windows in place, and in fact would improve performance - but not by much. Some wood/clad replacements are made with an integral screen just like vinyl windows - the intention is to discard the existing storms since they're not needed anymore. Other wood/clad replacements (I'm not too keen on these) are intended to replace the prime interior windows but do not have a screen of their own - the intention there is to reuse your old existing storm/screen combinations.
One of the benefits of energy-efficient double or triple glazed replacement windows is that you no longer have to hassle with the cleaning and operating of an exterior storm/screen combination. You can choose to have one but it somewhat negates the ease of cleaning.
If you choose to keep your storm windows or get new storm/screen combinations on top of replacement windows, here are some stats for you:
At 0° outside and 70° inside, a single glazed window is about 14°-17° glass temperature. Add a storm to that and it raises the glass temperature to 45°. So it is definately worth it to have storm windows on a single glazed window. However a Low E/argon gas window is 57° WITHOUT a storm window. Add a storm window and the glass raises from 57° to only 60°. So with a storm you only gain 3° on an energy-efficient double glazed window; even less on a triple glazed unit. Is it worth it for the 3° and the extra work to wash them? Some would say yes but most would say no. I guess an advantage of having an exterior storm window would be extra glass protection of the prime glass, similar to having a clear or UV lens filter on a nice camera - maybe that snowball or baseball might only go through the 1st layer.
Again, this whole issue is a moot point on vinyl - it should not be done. It's mainly only an issue with wood or wood/clad windows.
For vinyl replacement windows, I'd strongly recommend to have the storm windows taken off. Vinyl replacements are designed to have their own built-in screen. If a storm window remains in place, the heat buildup between the storm and the replacement unit could potentially be enough to cause vinyl profile heat distortion - in other words - it could get so hot that the vinyl could soften or distort. Vinyl replacement windows are designed to perform just fine without ever needing a storm.
Aluminum replacements or aluminum clad wood windows, on the other hand, perform just fine with storm windows in place, and in fact would improve performance - but not by much. Some wood/clad replacements are made with an integral screen just like vinyl windows - the intention is to discard the existing storms since they're not needed anymore. Other wood/clad replacements (I'm not too keen on these) are intended to replace the prime interior windows but do not have a screen of their own - the intention there is to reuse your old existing storm/screen combinations.
One of the benefits of energy-efficient double or triple glazed replacement windows is that you no longer have to hassle with the cleaning and operating of an exterior storm/screen combination. You can choose to have one but it somewhat negates the ease of cleaning.
If you choose to keep your storm windows or get new storm/screen combinations on top of replacement windows, here are some stats for you:
At 0° outside and 70° inside, a single glazed window is about 14°-17° glass temperature. Add a storm to that and it raises the glass temperature to 45°. So it is definately worth it to have storm windows on a single glazed window. However a Low E/argon gas window is 57° WITHOUT a storm window. Add a storm window and the glass raises from 57° to only 60°. So with a storm you only gain 3° on an energy-efficient double glazed window; even less on a triple glazed unit. Is it worth it for the 3° and the extra work to wash them? Some would say yes but most would say no. I guess an advantage of having an exterior storm window would be extra glass protection of the prime glass, similar to having a clear or UV lens filter on a nice camera - maybe that snowball or baseball might only go through the 1st layer.
Again, this whole issue is a moot point on vinyl - it should not be done. It's mainly only an issue with wood or wood/clad windows.
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The U Factor
- Posts: 52
- Joined: Tue Jan 10, 2006 5:03 pm
Did go with RBA. Had them installed 3 weeks ago. Couldn't be happier.
This project is for my in-laws. They can't afford RBA or Schuco and will probably be going with a lesser window yet to be determined, but we were wondering what happens to the storms.
This project is for my in-laws. They can't afford RBA or Schuco and will probably be going with a lesser window yet to be determined, but we were wondering what happens to the storms.
Last edited by jdegeorge on Fri May 26, 2006 8:50 am, edited 1 time in total.
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The U Factor
- Posts: 52
- Joined: Tue Jan 10, 2006 5:03 pm
They don't need help. I meant "afford" from a ROI standpoint. It's a rental property of theirs and we don't believe that it makes much sense to spend a small fortune on the windows. The criteria for selecting replacement windows for this situation is different than if they were purchasing for their own home.
I thought the purpose of this site was for professional window installers such as yourself to give advice about windows and not financial matters?
I thought the purpose of this site was for professional window installers such as yourself to give advice about windows and not financial matters?
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