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It’s that time of year again! The air has that distinctive fall chill, and winter is just around the corner. This is the time of year when most homeowners start thinking about Thanksgiving, Christmas– and storm windows.
Do you need to put storm windows on for the winter? What do they actually do for your Michigan home? Read on to learn the basics.
Storm windows are windows that are inserted outside of your regular windows for extra protection against the cold and the elements. Usually, they are inserted in place of your screens. You’d remove the screen in the fall and put a storm window in its place. Some newer windows are built with both a storm window and a screen in the sash, so you don’t have to take the screen on and off. You just pull the extra storm window down in the winter, and raise it in the spring.
Storm windows were traditionally used years ago when most homes had windows made from single panes of glass. The storm window not only adds protection itself, but it also traps a layer of air between itself and your main window. This layer of air acts as an insulator, slowing heat transfer between your home and the outdoors. Your home stays warmer, and your heating system does not have to work as hard.
If you’ve had new windows put on your Michigan home, chances are good that they are made from double-pane glass, if not triple-pane glass. In this case, storm windows are not really necessary. You already have two layers of glass in place (plus the air between them) to protect your home from the cold and the snow. Of course, adding storm windows is still an option if you really want that extra layer of protection and efficiency.
If your Michigan home still has older, original hung windows, or if you replaced your windows with very inexpensive, single-pane glass windows, then storm windows are recommended. Single-pane windows are not great at preventing heat transfer; without the storms, your home will be chilly and your heating bills will be sky-high.
In some areas, HOAs may not allow homeowners to install storm windows. If your windows are older, your storm windows may also be damaged and hard to install. Replacing your older windows with new, double-pane or triple-pane glass windows will alleviate your need for storm windows in the future. Your home will stay warm all winter, and you won’t have to go through the hassle of taking the storms on and off each year.
When the time comes to select new windows, look for those with Low-E glass, such as Andersen’s SmartSun™ glass. These windows are coated with a special material that reflects heat back into your home, rather than allowing it to seep outside. They’ll keep your Michigan home even cozier in the winter without the need for storm windows.
Whether you need to replace your current windows or have your windows measured for new storms, be sure to contact Renewal by Andersen. We offer free, in-home consultations, and all of our estimates are good for one year. Our technicians will ensure you select the windows that are best for your Michigan home and for your budget.