Hello world!
After much thought I have decided to start a blog. Here I will post thoughts and information on window repair, restoration, and replacement. Constructive comments are always welcome. Questions are always welcome.
Today I did three estimates. A common theme in doing estimates is improving energy efficiency in the windows of an antique house. Today, like so many, I am astonished that homeowners don’t note the deplorable condition of their storm windows and consider those candidates for replacement. I suppose to many the thinking is “if I can get replacement windows I don’t need storm windows.” Here in New England, that is far from the truth. In fact, one of our clients just had us install storm windows on their relatively new Pella windows. Seems in the deepest cold days of winter those double pane windows just cannot keep out the draft. The best double pane window is a single pane interior window and a single pane storm window. The nice air space between them is a terrific insulator. I think storm window manufacturers don’t promote storm windows as much as replacement windows as they don’t make as much money on them, and they don’t need to be replaced every 10-20 years like replacement windows. It’s a sad duping of the public. And then there are people who have a visceral dislike of storm windows. They are not the prettiest things, they are often sticky and those little tabs do a number on nice fingernails (if I had any, I’d be more sympathetic) but they are necessary. And new ones are much nicer looking than the old grey metal ones. Bottom line, if you want to not have drafty windows get new storm windows. I don’t even make any money on promoting storm windows! We only repair and restore wooden windows. But I hate to see clients spend money on restoring their windows without having a good storm window in place.
1 comment April 11th, 2008
