Storm windows can be attached on the inside or outside of existing windows. They can be permanent, which can open, or the type that are put up in the fall and taken down in the spring. Temporary, plastic sheeting stretched over the windows can serve as storm windows and reduce air infiltration. According to Home Energy Magazine, storm windows substantially increase efficiency and can be significantly less expensive than new, high-efficiency windows. Homeowners often install storm windows instead of replacing windows, especially in older homes.

On the Other: About New Windows

The use of storm windows has declined in recent years because of the increase in the efficiency of installed windows. Newer windows have better seals, better glass and are constructed more durably than older windows. However, new windows are more expensive to buy and install than storm windows.

Bottom Line

If you live in an older home and have original windows, storm windows can increase the efficiency without the expense of replacing windows. In historic homes, they allow you to keep the historical integrity without compromising efficiency. In homes with new high-efficiency windows, storm windows are unnecessary. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, new windows are the best option, but if the budget or other factors prevent you from installing new windows, storm windows will greatly increase the efficiency of old windows.

Source:

Home Energy Magazine: Storm Windows Save Energy

Energy Savers: Storm Windows