Maintaining storm windows to keep the cold out

If you’re among the many people who live in an older home, you’ll know that storm windows prevent heat loss in winter by adding an “extra” layer of insulation. That's why regular maintenance to keep the cold where it belongs – outside – is important. Here are some tips to help you.

[Photo credit: iStock.com/wabeno]

For anyone who lives in an older house, wooden windows add charming character to the home's overall appeal. Unfortunately, they also tend to be less energy efficient in winter. The solution? Storm windows, also called "storms", which are the traditional way to reduce heat loss in winter.

There are two basic types of storm windows:

Add-on storm windows
These kind fill the entire outside of the window and must be hung in place seasonally on hardware affixed to the exterior window frame.

Combination storm windows
The more "modern" of the two types, combination storm windows remain in the window frame all year round, along with a half-sized screen panel.

Plan to inspect and clean your add-on storm windows each fall. It'll be well worth the effort involved considering how much money you'll potentially save on your utilities.

• Wear gloves and handle the storm windows carefully to avoid cracking the glass or twisting the sash.
• Storms with an aluminum frame usually have a gasket that runs all around the frame. This gasket holds the glass in place and may be loose in spots. Push it back into place with a screwdriver.
• Aluminum frames also get spots from oxidation deposits, a powdery-silver material similar to rust. You can remove these spots with fine steel wool.
• On a wooden storm window, pry out any loose or crumbling glazing compound. Then redo it by tightening the hanger hardware and corner joints. If necessary, unclog weep holes at the bottom of the sash.
• Finally, wash the window glass both inside and out.

If the corner joints wobble and the frame feels loose (wood will expand or contract depending on the humidity) you should address the issue before the window falls apart.

On wooden frames, use small L-shaped mending plates on the inside corners where they'll barely show.

• To avoid splitting the wood with the screws, drill small pilot holes first.

Wooden storms should be covered well with paint so they won't rot or swell. The paint acts as a barrier to prevent moisture from penetrating the wood.

• Each coat of paint adds a bit of thickness to the window, so a storm may not fit as well after it has been painted. That's why before you paint, check the fit. You may need to sand or plane away old paint before applying new.

In hot weather, many people slide all their combination storm sashes up and pull down their screens, which allows the cool air to flow in.

• On the sunny side of the house, usually south facing walls, having these two extra panes of glass up top can magnify the sun's heat.

Most people with add-on storm windows prefer to remove them during the summer and store them in the basement.

• If you do, mark the frames with a permanent marker to remember where each one should be installed in the fall.

However, leaving add-on storms in place year round can provide added insulation in summer by trapping cool air in the house and keeping hot air outside.

• Only you can know what makes your home most comfortable throughout the blistering summer months.

Although storm windows come in many forms, their main purpose is to keep our homes warm and comfy when the temperature turns icy. With the right care, your storm windows will be there for you when the weather gets rough for many years to come.