What are these Storm Windows?

Storm windows are mounted inside or even outside the main window in the house. It basically works as protection against bad weather especially when you are living in an apartment or a home that is multi story. This is so because such places are more susceptible to bad weather. So, when your window gets damaged you would think of getting window replacement. However it costs a lot and will need replacement again after some time. This can be easily avoided by using storm windows. They basically stop the creation of drafts by making insulating sheets. Storm windows provide extra protection and are easy to maintain. They are extremely useful in extreme weather conditions.

Many people have invested in protective windows with the purpose of saving money. They are generally easily to install, especially the interior ones. The exterior storm windows require a little more work but it is worth it if you live in an area noted for bad storms. Some interior storm windows are made of plastic and although they aid in saving you money they will not hold up as well as their glass counterparts. Interior glass storm windows are a little more complicated to install. They are available double paned for more money saving features.

They can break however since they are made of glass. There are also Plexiglas and acrylic storm windows for the interior of your existing windows. These types are very durable. They are much harder to break than the glass ones. The problem with these is that they tend to scratch up very easily. They may also yellow on you if they get too much sunlight.

If you are more interested in exterior storm windows then you should know that they are made of glass. It is double paned and is quite durable. They are probably the most expensive of all the storm windows. If you do have to replace them it could cost big bucks to do so. There are even some exterior storm windows that are triple paned. This will add to how durable they are. The frames of exterior storm windows are made of different materials including wood and aluminum. These are the two types that are most often used. You would think there would be problems with the wood frames but they are built to take a lick.

Vinyl Siding and Weather

Vinyl is a waterproof material, but vinyl siding is not necessarily a waterproof barrier for your home. In fact, one of the biggest problems related to vinyl siding is the moisture that tend to get in under the panels. The reason for this is that vinyl siding is not nailed directly to the wall of the house. It can’t be, because vinyl expands and contracts according to the temperature of the air. To keep the vinyl panels from warping, they are hung on nails in a way that allows them to move a little. This also makes them easy to install and easy to remove if necessary, but it also means that if there is a strong wind, water can get up under them.

To protect against this, an underlayment is put on under the siding, and that is waterproof. But it is also punctured by all the nails that are holding the siding on, so sometimes moisture will make it past that barrier as well. The result can lead to mold, mildew, insects, and generally damp walls. This can get very expensive. Vinyl siding may not be the best choice in an area that experiences high rainfall and general humidity.

Another type of weather that is not particularly friendly to vinyl siding is very cold weather. Vinyl is made from PVC, a material that melts when it’s heated and which gets not only hard but brittle when it gets cold. Vinyl siding is most often damaged in cold weather because it has become brittle and so easily breaks if it is hit by debris, hail, or other objects. When a part of a panel is damaged there is nothing to be done but to replace it and put on a new panel. This is not difficult, but it may be hard to find a panel that will exactly match your old ones, especially if the old ones have faded a bit through the years. It’s much the same as trying to paint a small spot on a wall if you don’t have an absolutely exact match on the paint.