Today's Technology And You

Today's
TECHNOLOGY AND YOU

Interior storm windows a snap

Q: I want to get my house ready for winter. My old windows sweat, are drafty and the sun fades my furniture. How efficient are the reusable snap-on interior storm windows kits? My budget is limited. - B. S.

A: There are many new designs of durable do-it-yourself interior storm window kits that are attractive and effective. At a cost of only $2 to $4 per square foot, they are an efficient, lower-cost alternative to expensive replacement windows.

Since you are on a tight budget, do just your north and west windows first. The northern windows are among the greatest sources of winter heat loss in most homes. The west windows are the greatest source of the sun's ultraviolet (UV) fading rays, both summer and winter.

Interior storm windows save energy and reduce window condensation by creating an insulating air gap and sealing air leaks around old windows. Good-quality ones last for many years and install quickly each winter.

If you use central air-conditioning most of the summer, leave them in year-round. During mild fall and spring weather, opening only a couple of windows on either side of your house will provide adequate ventilation. A whole-house attic fan is helpful during these times.

The reduced drafts from installing storm window kits also improves comfort. In the winter, having fewer drafts allows for a lower furnace thermostat setting without getting chilly feet, and saves even more energy. Dust, dirt and outdoor road noise are also reduced.

Most lightweight interior storm window kits are made of crystal clear rigid acrylic plastic. Acrylic has good impact strength. Clear polycarbonate plastic (bulletproof glass) is more expensive, but literally unbreakable and safer around children or in tornado or hurricane-prone areas. Polycarbonate does tend to yellow just slightly over many years of exposure to the sun.

Either type of plastic glazing blocks nearly all of the sun's ultraviolet fading rays. I installed an acrylic storm window under my double-pane, low-emissivity glass skylight to protect my furniture from the sun.

Strong frames and simple well-sealing attachment methods are important to realize the maximum savings, comfort and quiet. The most common attachment methods are magnetic strips, hook-and-loop (Velcro™) and snap-together strips.

The magnetic attachment method is one of the easiest and best sealing. A thin magnetic strip is formed into the storm window frame. An adhesive-backed paintable steel strip is attached to the window frame or wall. Press the storm frame against the strip and it sticks and seals.

One unique magnetic design, Flex-Tite, incorporates a tiny flexible vinyl bellows (like a refrigerator door seal) between the storm window frame and the magnetic strip. This bellows design allows it to conform to uneven old window frames and absorb impacts from children.

An effective Velcro attachment method uses a secondary inner gasket next to the hook-and-loop strips to produce an airtight seal. The Velcro holds the storm window securely in place while the inner gasket provides the seal. These are also ideal if your old window frames are warped.

Clear acrylic sheets and vinyl framing are easy to cut to your window size. Both the metal and magnetic strips can be trimmed with common household tools.

Write for Utility Bills Update No. 829 showing a buyer's guide of interior storm window kits listing frame and glazing materials, attachment methods, prices and installation instructions. Please include $2.00(with checks payable to: "Jim Dulley") and business-size SASE, and send to Jim Dulley, Illinois Country Living, P.O. Box 3787, Springaeld, IL 62708.

James Dulley is a mechanical engineer who writes on a wide variety of energy and utility topics. His column appears in a large number of daily newspapers.

6 ILLINOIS COUNTRY LIVING OCTOBER 1996