The exterior of the home is both the initial presentation of the home’s structure but also a protective barrier against outside forces. The exterior of a home plays a critical role in the beauty of the home’s aesthetic, the efficiency of the home and its worth.
However, among all the factors which can be considered as strengthening the exterior of a house, it is possible to single out storm windows as the most important ones. Here, the author aims to enlarge the reader’s understanding of the meaning of home exterior, advantages of storm windows, and their applicability in exterior improvement strategies.
Home Exteriors and Their Roles
The outer part of a home has many uses; the first being the looks of the actual structure and the second being a shield against harsh climates. It can also make a house attractive to buyers thus its market value will be higher and the people living in the house and guests will be welcomed by a beautiful exterior. Finishes including the siding, roofing, windows, doors and gardens are some of the factors that make up the exterior appearance of homes.
Apart from this, the exterior of a home plays the major role of offering shelter to the interior parts of the home from weather elements. A well installed and well maintained exterior protects the home against penetration of water, reduced heat loss among other issues. This is especially critical in countries which are characterized by severe weather conditions on the exterior of the construction which has to endure torrential rains, snow and gusts of wind.
Responsibilities of Storm Windows
Storm windows are secondary enclosures that are placed on the outer surface or interior of the primary windows. They are intended for better utilization of energy in homes, better mechanical atmosphere and much protection from outside conditions. These devices are especially useful in older homes most of which are equipped with single-pane windows which proved to be not so energy efficient and very prone to drafts and heat loss.
The most important advantage of storm windows is that they enhance the insulation features of the building. Being another layer between the interior and exterior of a home, they decrease the exchange of heat and air while maintaining inside temperature. This can also account to lots of energy conservation since the heating or cooling system does not need to over push itself to sustain a particular climate.
Storm windows also give more security when it comes to wind and rain. In regions characterized by powerful storms or hurricanes these devices can exclude water leakage and negative impact on the inner part of the homes. They can also shield the primary windows from all manners of abrasive impacts that may lead to breakages.
Types of Storm Windows
Many types of storm windows can be bought and they all have their own advantages and characteristics. The exterior storm windows are placed on the surface of the main windows and they come as glasses or acrylics. Currently, there is a large variety of types, for example, fixed, sliding doors with or without removable panels. Still, as compared to the interior ones, the exterior storm windows are considerably better in the ability to prevent drafts and insulate your house; however, they are harder to install and maintain.
Also known as window insulating glass, interior storm windows are placed on the inside of the primary windows and are normally of lightweight creation materials like acrylic or polycarbonate. It is easier to fix it and dismantle it and hence it becomes convenient to use mostly during the seasons of the year. Also, the interior storm windows are less conspicuous from the outside; hence the exterior look of the home does not get affected.
Low-emissivity (Low-E) storm windows can also be installed; these are options with special heat reflecting coating to reflect heat back into the room. You can click here to learn more. This goes alongside the way that efficiency of energy is increased by a smaller measure of heat transfer in the winter and less heat in the summer. Low-E options exist in exterior and interior models.
How to involve storm windows in the overall exterior restoration program
The initial process of installing the storm windows involves completely evaluating the general status of the primary windows and determining which precise regions they will be of the most use. This may include rooms that get so much draft or areas that may be exposed to some extreme weather conditions.
Next, consider the designs of the product that suit your needs or those that appeal to you most. These include, for instance, installation and setting up, how often and how difficult it is to maintain, and the aesthetics of these tools. For instance, if the main focus has been put on outside look of the house, then interior storm windows will be appropriate.
Other possible exterior treatments include storm windows, as well as other additional enhancements that would prove beneficial in insulating the home as well as in protecting it from the forces of severe weather. This may incorporate the replacement of the siding, addition of insulation, as well as replacement of doors with efficient ones.
Applying such measures to exterior improvements can help achieve the greatest efficiency and provide comfortable living space and accurate protection from various adverse factors.
Therefore, the external façade influences the value, functionality as well as significance of a house significantly mainly concerning the climatic conditions of the housing location. It can now be concluded that hurricane windows, doors and roofing are all effective measures to take when considering the exterior of homes. This is because they serve to increase the amount of insulation, protection, and comfort.
As this has elaborated stressing on the aspects of storm windows and the ways in which they can be incorporated with the overall exterior improvement strategy, it is very possible for the people to create an enhanced, aesthetic, efficient and durable house.
However much you decide to go for the exterior or interior storm windows, it will be much beneficial in the long run by saving energy bills, providing comfort of the house and protection against the fury of the odd weather condition.
