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!

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1558 Reviews

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  • 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    I installed these inserts at my kid's bedroom to reduce noise. My daughter and my son's bedroom faces a street that get busy during the day. The inserts reduced the noise in at least 10db. I also noticed some improvements at the insulation, the area around the window don't get as cold as it used to get during the winter.

  • 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    Easy to install. They don’t detract from the decor of the room.

  • 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    We have a very old home that started as a one room cabin in 1935 in the mountains of CA It has been added on to numerous times and the former owner changes out all of the windows to duel pane except one funky non opening window in a bedroom. Very cold in the winter. We needed a good solution. Found this company, and we are delighted with our purchase. Fits perfectly and is sturdy. Thank you for solving our problem!

  • 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    My Indow insert works really well at cutting down the traffic noise from the street outside, which was my goal when purchasing this insert. I have a large window and with the detailed measuring instructions, I got a good fit. It was not difficult to

    install even by myself, as one person. This company was recommended to me by a friend, and I will now highly recommend this company if you are looking for great customer service and a quality produce. Thank you!

  • 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    Very high quality materials used in the design and construction of window inserts and easy installation and care videos. Top notch communications of the product progression phases and questions answered in a timely manner.

    I am very impressed with these inserts and the high degree of care that went into their construction and delivery. Very good company and I thank all the workers for the good craftsmanship you provide to such a wonderful product.

    Well done.

    Craig

  • 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    We purchased a total of 7 Indow 'Acoustic' Window inserts for the purpose of reducing the level of noise inside our home from our neighboring home's outdoor A/C - Heatpump units on either side. We couldn't be more pleased with the results. The noise level is reduced (NOT completely) but to the degree that we find ourselves looking out the window on occasion to see whether or not those outside units are actually running. There is a dramatic reduction in the noise level from prior to our installation. Thank you Indows!!

  • 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    Window replacement is so expensive. Indow window inserts are a great alternative to extend the life of your windows. Since we had no mechanical issues with the windows inserts were a good choice.

    The staff was great to work with. They gladly answered any questions I had. The inserts were very well packaged for shipping. It was a fine experience from start to finish.

  • 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    We received our windows and installed them right away. We live very close to a busy highway behind our home, so noise has always been an issue. We ordered the acoustic inserts for three windows, and I can honestly say I noticed a difference immediately. The sound isn’t completely gone (which is understandable with a highway nearby), but it has been reduced enough that I no longer need to sleep with earplugs, which is a huge win for us.

    The customer service was also great — they were helpful and kept us updated throughout the entire process. Installation was fairly easy, and the installation videos were very clear and helpful. Overall, we’ve been very happy with our experience and have already recommended this product to a friend.

  • 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    The indow window company and their staff are great Partners in battling the cold winter drafts coming through your windows and helps keep your home warm and cozy.. Wonderful company and great customer service..

  • 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    Overall I am happy with the results. They do exactly what is advertised online.

  • 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    We ordered the Thermo insulation inserts for our cabin off the Blue Ridge Parkway in VA. The windows are old and drafty and with the wind and the cold that has happened this year, the inserts have really came through. We used to see the curtains move when the wind was blowing hard and the cold would come right through the windows. After installing the inserts, which was so easy, there is a night and day difference with the window inserts and the house is actually warmer and the heat is not running constantly. These inserts have saved us thousands of dollars in window replacments and you can not even tell that the inserts are in the windows. Thank you Window Inserts for all your help.

  • 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    Excellent product for windows outside noise problems. Bought 2 Indow inserts for our bedroom windows. I was hesitant at first, but after installing our new acoustic Indows I was impressed. It really cut down on outside noise tremendously. Got few estimates for 2 new windows to replace the old ones. The cost of installing new windows was a shocker. Now, I am happy with my choice to go with Indows. Highly recommend!

  • 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    This was the easiest install, as well the team are amazing, get right on a call answer the questions, there support is fantastic. I measured all my windows live near a street looking to knock down the noise.

    I tested this bought Indows installed them Noise went down shipping, timing and quality was great.

    Now I’ll install 4 more.

  • 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    My rooms are significantly more comfortable with the Indow inserts. There are no uncomfortable drafts or adjustments to the thermostat since installation.

  • 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    Thank you indows! We are very happy with our 5 new indows which were delivered by Fedex and in

    perfect shape when opened. Our dining room and adjoining room are warmer in the cold, which is a bit more this winter

    The indows were installed easily by myself and my wife as expected and look great. In total we have installed 8 of your products. Thank you again, Randy and Mary Jane.