Can I get custom sizes for irregular openings in old homes?

Yes. Century homes frequently have window openings that do not conform to any modern standard size. Custom storm windows are fabricated to your measured width and height, including non-standard dimensions, to ensure a proper fit without gaps.

Storm Windows for Historic Homes and Century Homes

Q: What colors are available for historic home storm windows?

The available finishes are Mill (natural aluminum), White, Tan, Bronze, and Black. Black is a powder-coat upgrade. Many historic homeowners choose Bronze or Black because darker frames can read similarly to period painted wood frames.

Q: Will storm windows look out of place on a century home?

When properly sized and finished, storm windows can be nearly invisible from the street. Slim aluminum frames in a finish that complements the original trim are far less visually intrusive than replacement windows, which typically change the sight line, muntin pattern, and proportions of the original opening.

Q: My historic district requires storm windows instead of replacement windows, is that common?

Yes, this is standard policy in most historic districts across the US. Historic preservation boards typically prohibit full window replacement in contributing structures because replacement windows alter the character-defining features of the building. Storm windows are specifically approved because they add insulation without modifying the original window.

If you own a century home, the original single-pane wood windows are part of the architecture worth protecting. Custom storm windows add insulation, quiet drafts, and weather protection without removing the original sash, changing the glass, or compromising historic character.

Why Century Homes Need Storm Windows

Homes built between roughly 1880 and 1930 (Craftsman bungalows, Foursquares, Victorian-era houses, Colonial Revival residences) were almost universally built with single-pane glass in wood sash frames. Single-pane glass has an R-value of approximately 0.9. A modern double-pane window is around R-2 to R-3. That gap translates directly to heating and cooling costs, drafts, and condensation on interior surfaces during cold weather.

The answer for most century home owners is not to replace the windows. It is to add a storm window on the exterior. A well-fitted exterior storm window creates a sealed air gap between the two layers of glass, which raises the effective R-value of the assembly to approximately R-2 or better, comparable to a basic modern double-pane unit.

Beyond energy performance, many century home owners face a harder constraint: historic preservation requirements. If your home is in a historic district or listed on a local or national register, replacement windows may be prohibited outright. Storm windows are the solution that preservation boards consistently approve.

Storm Windows vs. Replacement Windows for Historic Homes

Storm Windows

Original windows stay in place, no irreversible changes
Approved by most historic preservation boards
Reversible, can be removed without traces
Preserve wavy glass, divided lights, and original proportions
Significantly lower cost than full replacement
May qualify for historic tax credits (consult your local board)

Replacement Windows

Original windows are removed permanently
Often prohibited in historic districts
Changes the sight line and profile of the opening
Modern insulated glass cannot replicate wavy or period glass
Typically 3 to 5 times the cost of storm windows
May reduce eligibility for historic tax incentives

What to Look for in Storm Windows for Old Homes

Not all storm windows are equally well suited to a century home. The right choice depends on the scale and character of the original windows, not just the dimensions of the opening.

Slim Profiles

Narrow face frames keep the original sash, muntin pattern, and trim proportions visible from the street.

Period-Matched Finishes

Mill, White, Tan, Bronze, and Black choices help the storm frame read like part of the original trim. Black is a powder-coat upgrade.

Gentle Weather Seal

Compression seals protect against drafts without adhesive contact or unnecessary alteration to older painted wood.

Custom Sizing

Odd fractions and out-of-square openings are measured individually, which matters in homes built before standard sizes.

Common Window Types in Century Homes

Storm windows work with most original window configurations found in period homes, though the approach varies by type.

True Divided Light Windows

A single exterior storm unit protects the whole opening while the original divided-light pattern remains visible.

Wavy or Cylinder Glass

Original glass stays untouched, preserving the subtle distortion and character modern insulated glass cannot copy.

Double-Hung with Rope and Pulley

Exterior storms mount outside the jamb, so the primary sash and counterweight system keep their original operation.

Casement Windows

Fixed exterior units or interior inserts can be selected when outward-swinging sash needs a more careful approach.

Historic Preservation Requirements

If your home is a contributing structure in a local historic district, or if it is individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places, window changes typically require approval from a local historic preservation commission (HPC) or architectural review board (ARB).

Most preservation guidelines specifically encourage storm windows as the preferred approach for improving energy efficiency in historic homes. The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation, the federal framework most local boards follow, treats storm windows as an acceptable, reversible intervention that does not compromise historic integrity.

Before ordering, confirm with your local HPC whether a Certificate of Appropriateness is required for storm window installation. In most jurisdictions, exterior storm windows that match the original frame color and are sized to the opening do not require formal approval, but practices vary by municipality.

FAQs

Will Storm Windows Damage My Historic Windows?+

Properly installed exterior storm windows do not damage original windows. They mount to the exterior face of the jamb using screws that can be removed, and they require no modification to the original sash, glass, or frame. The original window remains fully intact.

Can I Get Custom Sizes for Irregular Openings in Century Homes?+

Yes. Century homes frequently have openings that match no modern standard. Custom storm windows are fabricated to your exact measured dimensions, including odd fractions, to ensure proper coverage and sealing.

What Colors Are Available for Historic Home Storm Windows?+

The available finishes are Mill, White, Tan, Bronze, and Black. Black is a powder-coat upgrade. Many historic homeowners choose Bronze or Black because darker frames can read similarly to period painted wood frames.

Will Storm Windows Look Out of Place on a Century Home?+

When properly sized and finished, aluminum storm windows are nearly invisible from the street. Slim profiles in a finish that matches the original trim are far less visually intrusive than replacement windows, which alter the sight line and proportions of the opening.

My Historic District Requires Storm Windows Instead of Replacements, Is That Common?+

Yes. Most historic districts across the US specifically prohibit full window replacement in contributing structures and approve storm windows as the preferred energy efficiency intervention. This is standard policy, not the exception.

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Custom Storm Windows for Your Historic or Century Home

Every opening measured and fabricated to your exact dimensions. Slim profiles, period-matching finishes, and the custom sizing that older homes require. Shipped nationwide.

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