Storm Window Alternative for Old and Historic Homes

Historic craftsman home with Indow storm windows installed: Inserts don’t harm old home’s windows.

Alternative to Historic Storm Windows

Indow window inserts are an attractive, easy-to-use interior storm window. Original windows are important to the architectural character of historic buildings. Unfortunately, they’re also a top source of energy loss. The drafts can make you feel uncomfortable, but also drive up energy costs. While exterior storm windows provide some energy efficiency benefits to your older home, they’re difficult to use and often unsightly. Indow window inserts are an alternative to exterior storm windows.

Diagram of how to install indow insulating window inserts

The Problem with Replacing Your Historic Windows

The Illinois Historic Preservation Agency put together a great report on why you should use storm windows for historic homes. It outlines the harm that can come to a historic home if the owner replaces the windows instead of restoring them.

Use interior storm windows for old houses because of:

  • Sustainability: Tearing out old windows and putting them in landfills harms the environment.
  • Aesthetics: New windows cannot mimic the look of historic windows or use same materials like old-growth wood. Indow inserts are interior storms that both look good and are barely noticeable.
  • Maintenance: Many new window materials (vinyl, fiberglass, sealants) are difficult or impossible to recycle. Indow inserts come with a limited lifetime warranty and do not require any maintenance – just occasional cleaning like all windows.
  • Cost: High quality replacement windows cost three times as much as restoring original windows.
  • Ease: Measuring for, receiving, and installing Indow inserts can typically be done with only one person and requires around a combined time of around 15 minutes per window.

Historic storm windows are one solution to avoid doing a full replacement. Unfortunately, many storm windows require installing a track system on the window frame. This not only alters the frame, but isn’t aesthetically pleasing.

Indow window inserts in historic windows to improve performance without harming the historic value

The Storm Window Alternative

Indow inserts are custom storm windows for historic homes. Indow uses proprietary measurement verification software to ensure a perfect fit – up to 1/32’’, even in out-of-square windows. The simple and elegant design makes them hardly noticeable once installed. Unlike other storm windows, Indow inserts fit without any modifications to the window frame, and are held in place with our patented silicone compression tube around the outer edge. This means your old, historic windows will perform like new windows without losing their historic value.

If your historic home needs an alternative to replacements or clunky storm windows, contact us today!

More Resources: Storm Windows for Historic Homes

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Indow has insulated more than 23,000 buildings - helping reduce carbon emissions by nearly 200,000 tons - and creating comfort across the US & Canada!

Reviews

Excellent

4.49 Average Rating

1540 Reviews

  • 3 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    My home is about 500 ft. from an interstate highway and had been looking for a solution to reduce the highway noise, especially 18-wheeler truck noise all night long. What pushed me to finally make a decision was the 9 month highway repair project with trucks moving back and forth with their loud beeping when going in reverse (every 20 seconds) all through the night, every week night. I opted for the acoustic inserts, which took 3 months to receive from the time of my order. I was not happy about the 3 month waiting period. I was very timely with measuring the windows which included an arched window which I had to trace. The measurement process required 10 hours of time, most of which was the tracing (including time and cost to make several trips to buy materials for this). When they finally arrived, I installed the inserts and had approximately a 30% reduction in decibel levels. After nearly $5,000 in costs, I was hoping to have had better noise reduction.

  • 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    I live in a house that’s over 100 years old so some of the windows are odd sizes and drafty. Originally I ordered 3 Indow window inserts for my dining room to try them out. I was so impressed with their appearance and effectiveness at insulating and reducing sound that I decided to order more. Recently I ordered another 9 Indow window units for my living room, bedrooms, bathroom, and kitchen. Both of the orders went very smoothly. They arrived well packaged and in perfect condition. I have already installed all of them and just in time as Chicago and most of the midwest has just been hit by a winter storm and blizzard with below freezing temperatures and 8-12 inches of snow. I couldn’t be happier they look fantastic as well as being practical and functional. My home is so much warmer and quieter now that they have been installed. Indow’s pricing was great and they gave me discounts as a returning customer and for bulk purchasing. Customer service, instructions and follow up were all excellent. Such a wonderful company and product.

  • 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    I had 7 indow windows installed for draft reduction in my master bedroom. I had a home energy assessor [ from our utility supplier BGE] who checked for drafts / air leaks using infra-red camera and he certified "no leaks". Or bedroom is definitely less colder this winter and I am very happy with the cost effectiveness and efficiency offered by Indow window.

  • 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    An excellent product. Very well made, easy to install. Great support. Improves room temperature.

  • 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    The process of ordering and installing is quite extensive. This was my first experience with the company and left me a bit overwhelmed, even though I have 50 years experience in home construction and maintenance. But the results are really satisfying.

  • 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    Everything fit. Installation was easy. I ordered almost 40 Indows and NO problems: clean, clearly marked for installation placement and can’t wait to NOT freeze this winter! Martin and Matt were beyond helpful!

  • 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    The indows came and all fit perfictly. I am excited that I will no longer have to install the winterizing plastic sheets over our windows each winter. They are nearly invisible but I have the feeling that they will make a positive impact on our heating bills. Thank you!

  • 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    I love my Indow windows. I was skeptical that anything would really block out noise but these really work and it’s made my life more enjoyable since I can sleep in peace. We live on a busy street so this investment was worth it. I would totally recommend them

  • 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    A+++++++++

  • 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    The noise reductiion after installing the Indow Accoustic Inserts is remarkable. Whereas before we would be woken up by the start of commuter traffic at 6 AM, we now sleep soundly intil WE are ready to wake up. The ordering, measuring and installation instructions are very detailed, but if you follow them closely you will have a great finished product. The corners are a little tricky to get just right and it takes a little finagling to achieve the right look. They were packed and protected well enough that even FedEx didn't damage them. I would absolutely use them again.

  • 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    I bought these bedroom inserts primarily for sound reduction. My house is about a mile from a busy train track and several miles from an interstate highway with an exit close that has trucks braking. These inserts completely eliminated the interstate noise and the train rolling noise, and dropped the train whistle noise to very faint. No more waking up at night and counting trains. I measured carefully and the fit was perfect, and with the blinds open I can't even tell they are there. For info my jam depth allowed approximately 3" gap from the top window pane and 2-1/2" from the bottom and still allowed the use of an inside mounted 1" blind. Using the new compression blinds that install with no brackets allowed that much gap and maximizing the gap distance is important for sound reduction. I also installed jam stops specifically for the Indow insert to get it to the right place.

  • 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    Our Indowindow inserts arrived thoughtfully packed and quickly shipped. They were easy to install and fit after using the pre-supplied Lazer measurements tool from indow. The fit was perfect and we immediately noticed a huge change in noise levels for the better. I added some brightly colored cord to the d rings incase of fire removal and escape through the window is needed. We are very satisfied with our purchase and we highly recommend Indowindow inserts for noise issues.

  • 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    We moved into a home right next to a busy highway. The window inserts have allowed us to sleep without wearing earplugs. The difference is dramatic. Please note that the inserts don't reduce noise to 0; this is especially evident with large rock hauling trucks. Even though we still hear noise from these (VERY) loud sources, Indow Window inserts have been able to dramatically reduce the noise to the point of allowing us a normal existence in our home. Thanks Indow!

  • 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    These windows are great! They have improved the quality of our home with reduced thermal loss and reduced noise level! The temperature today is 93° outside, our split system is set at 73° and the inside house temperature is 74°! Before the install of these windows the inside temperature with these conditions would have been 76°! Last night I noticed an ambulance going by. Normally the first thing I recognize is the noise, but last night I didn't realize it was an ambulance until I saw the flashing light! Hannah did a wonderful job coordinating the measurements and the sale! I would recommend these windows to anyone!

  • 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    Excellent product, support, and very clear instructions. We look forward to installing these on all our windows.