Storm Window Replacement in the Capital Region
Storm windows have a dated reputation, and for most houses a proper replacement window is the better answer. But in the Central Troy Historic District, Albany's Center Square, the Schenectady Stockade and Saratoga Springs design review areas, replacing original sash is often not permitted, and then storms stop being a compromise and become the correct engineering solution.
Storm windows add a second layer over existing sash and cost $150 to $450 per opening installed. They are the standard solution for historic district homes where the original windows cannot be replaced, and a good low-E storm over a restored wood sash performs close to a modern double pane unit.
The modern version is not what your grandparents had. Low-E coated storm glass, in a frame with proper weep drainage and a tight perimeter seal, can bring a restored single-pane wood sash to a whole-assembly performance that gets remarkably close to a new double pane window. Preservation departments like this because nothing original is lost. Homeowners like it because the heating bill drops without a fight at the review board.
We install exterior storms where appearance allows and interior storms where the exterior must stay untouched.
When storm windows are the right answer
- Your home is in a historic district with exterior material restrictions
- You want to keep original wavy-glass sash for its character
- Existing storms are aluminum, painted shut, or missing panes
- You need better performance but replacement is not in the budget this year
- The sash themselves are sound and worth restoring
- You want to cut street noise on a busy corridor
What a storm window actually buys you
The performance gain comes from creating a second sealed air space, which is the same principle a double pane window uses.
| Assembly | Approximate performance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Single pane sash alone | Poorest | Roughly one pane of glass, heavy air leakage |
| Single pane plus clear storm | Fair | Roughly comparable to basic double pane |
| Single pane plus low-E storm | Good | Approaches modern double pane performance |
| Restored sash, weatherstripped, plus low-E storm | Very good | Best result without replacing anything original |
| Modern double pane replacement | Very good to excellent | Not permitted in many historic districts |
The weep hole rule that saves original sash
This is the detail that determines whether storms protect your original windows or destroy them. Warm moist indoor air migrates past the old sash into the space between the sash and the storm. When it hits cold storm glass it condenses. If the storm frame has no drainage at the sill, that water collects in the bottom of the storm and sits directly against the wood sill of your original window, which is exactly where rot starts. Every exterior storm we install has open weep holes at the sill, and if we are servicing existing storms, clearing the weeps is the first thing we check.
Ranges reflect typical Capital Region projects and are for planning only. Every Sundog quote is written, itemized, and free.
How the project runs
- 1
Assess the existing sash
A storm over rotted sash is a waste. We check the condition of what is there and tell you if restoration is needed first.
- 2
Exterior or interior
Exterior storms protect the original sash from weather. Interior storms leave the facade completely unchanged, which some review boards require.
- 3
Custom measurement
Historic openings are rarely square or standard. Every storm is measured and built to the individual opening.
- 4
Install with drainage
Exterior storms need functioning weep holes at the sill, or condensation collects and rots the sash you are trying to protect.
- 5
Seal and verify operation
Perimeter sealed, operation checked on every panel, and the weeps confirmed clear.
Storm window options
- Low-E coated glass storms for maximum performance
- Clear glass storms where low-E is not approved
- Triple track exterior, glass and screen in one frame year round
- Two track exterior, simpler and lower profile
- Fixed exterior panel for windows that never open
- Interior magnetic or compression storms for untouched exteriors
- Custom color frames to match existing trim
- Proper weep drainage on every exterior unit
Where we do this work
We handle storm window replacement across Albany, Rensselaer, Schenectady and Saratoga counties from our Troy office. These are the markets we are in most often.
Frequently asked questions
Are storm windows as good as replacement windows?
A low-E storm over a restored, weatherstripped wood sash gets close to modern double pane performance, close enough that the difference is not usually worth a fight with a historic review board. What you do not get is the convenience of a single modern unit with tilt-in cleaning, and you keep dealing with two layers.
Do storm windows go inside or outside?
Traditionally outside, which also protects the original sash from rain and UV. Interior storms exist for situations where the exterior appearance cannot change at all, and they work well, but they need to seal tightly or you get condensation between the layers with no way for it to drain.
Will a storm window damage my original windows?
Only if it has no drainage. Condensation forms between the sash and the storm in cold weather, and it has to be able to weep out at the sill. A storm with blocked or missing weep holes traps that water against the original wood sill and causes rot. This is the single most important thing to check on both new and existing storms.
How much do storm windows cost?
Typically $150 to $450 per opening installed, depending on size, whether you choose low-E glass, and whether the frame has to be custom colored to match trim. Interior storms for irregular historic openings can run higher because each one is built to a unique measurement.
Can I get low-E storm windows approved in a historic district?
Usually yes, because low-E coating is not visible and the frame profile can be specified to be minimal and color-matched. Review boards are generally far more receptive to a storm window application than a replacement window application. We can tell you what has been approved in your district.
Should I restore my old wood windows or replace them?
If they are in a historic district, restoration plus storms is often your only permitted path and it genuinely works well. If they are not, and the sash are badly deteriorated, replacement is usually the better value because restoration is labor intensive. Sound old-growth wood sash are worth restoring. Rotted ones are not.
Related services
Worth reading before you decide
Get a written quote for storm window replacement
Free measure, itemized pricing, and an honest recommendation on whether this is the right scope for your house.