Nearly Invisible Storm Windows
A storm window does not have to take over the look of your home. Here is what makes one nearly invisible, and the honest limits of that idea.
What makes a storm window disappear
Narrow frames
The thinner the frame, the more glass and the less metal you see. Slim frames are designed to take up as little of the view as they can.
Sightlines
A sightline is the visible line of the frame against the glass. Keeping sightlines short, and lining them up with the original sash, helps the storm window disappear behind it.
A matching color
A frame that matches your trim or window color draws less attention than one that contrasts. Our standard finishes cover the common choices, and custom colors, including RAL colors, are available when you need a closer match. There are more than 200.
Clear glass
Clear glass keeps the view true. Low-E glass is also available and is designed to look clear while helping hold heat in. Choose the glass for how you use the room.
How the profile differs
The frame you see depends on the style you choose and how it mounts.
Exterior flanged frame
A mounting flange on the outside of the frame fastens to the opening, so the frame shows as a thin border around the window. It is a practical, widely used style for exterior storm windows.
Architectural central-flange frame
The mounting flange sits at the center of a low-profile box frame, so it can integrate with a blind-stop or overlap installation and keep the original window in clear view. It is designed for projects where the look of the existing window matters most.
Interior slim and compression
Interior windows mount inside the room, so nothing changes outside. Slim aluminum interior frames keep a low profile, and compression-fit interior panels sit in the opening with very little visible hardware.
Nearly invisible, not invisible
There is always a frame and a pane of glass, so we do not call any storm window invisible. What a slim profile can do is keep your attention on the original window behind it.
Choose the style that suits how your window is trimmed, pick a frame color close to what you have, and measure with care. A snug, square fit looks better than any other detail.
FAQs
Can storm windows be nearly invisible?
They can come close. Slim and low-profile frames use very narrow sightlines, and a frame color matched to your existing trim keeps the added window quiet. Custom colors are available if you need a closer match. No storm window is truly invisible, but a well-chosen low-profile style lets the original window stay the focus.
What makes a storm window low-profile?
A low-profile storm window has a shallow, narrow frame and short sightlines, so it sits close to the original window and shows little metal. The exact profile depends on the style and the way it mounts.
Which of your styles look the most discreet?
Interior mounting hides the added window from the street, and the architectural central-flange exterior frames are designed to keep the original window in clear view. The best match depends on your window and how it is trimmed.
Can I match my existing window color?
Often, yes. We offer standard finishes and more than 200 custom colors, including RAL colors. Send us a sample or a color reference and we will review the match.
Will a slim frame still seal well?
Slim frames are made to fit the opening closely and use weatherstripping, so they can hold a good seal. Fit matters most, so measure carefully and follow the measuring guide.
Does Low-E glass change the look of my windows?
Low-E glass is designed to look clear, although you may notice a slight tint in some light. Ask us if you want to see how a glass option will look before you order.
Can a storm window ever be completely invisible?
No. Any storm window adds a frame and a pane of glass. A slim profile in a matching color gets close, and that is the honest goal.
Find the right storm window for your home
Choose your style, then enter your measurements for a made-to-measure window.