As the days and nights become cooler with  the changing seasons, you might be noticing that your new home has some drafts  or that the charming older character home that youve purchased with the  beautiful original windows is getting a little expensive to heat.  One way to cut down on the drafts and the  energy costs is to have your new home fitted with storm windows.

Storm windows create a barrier of air  between themselves and your windows; this works like a dual-pane window, the  two panes hold a dead space of air between them as insulation. Due to this  insulating factor, the storm windows also help cut down on condensation and  window frame deterioration from water damage.   Less condensation can also help with winter mildew and mold problems.

Storm windows can come in an interior or  exterior variety; each of these types has its own pros and cons so that your storm  window choice should reflect your particular home needs. Interior storm windows come in a variety of  types and complexities, ranging from a simple film taped over the inside of the  window frame to the more complex magnetic seal acrylic glazed models.

The cheapest  and easiest option, though least flexible once you have it up, is the thin  plastic film version.  This type is  installed with double-sided tape to hold the plastic film to the inside of the  window and then with a hair dryer you heat shrink the plastic film so that its  tight across the window so that you can see out more clearly.

The only real problems with this system are  that it is possible to damage the paint around the window from when you remove  the tape, the film can easily be damaged by small children or pets, and that  you cant open the window at all when the film is up. Plastic film is a good  option if youre looking to replace the drafty windows in your new home in the  future but dont have the time or money to accomplish this before the winter  hits this year.

More expensive systems are made from  acrylic sheets and installed with magnetic or snap seals to the inside of the  window. These are much easier to install than an exterior storm window and more  durable than a plastic film. Interior storm windows are easy to install,  particularly on upper floors where it can be awkward to install them on the  outside of the home.

Exterior storm windows can be temporary or  permanently installed. Most commonly they have wood or metal frames with glass  or acrylic glazing.  While the fact that  they dont change the interior look of your windows can be a desirable trait,  they can be a hassle to install on homes with multiple stories.

Whichever option you choose, storm windows  can really help cut down on the chill when it gets cold and as a result can  significantly cut down on your heating bill this winter!

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