Historic building restoration can be an exciting and satisfying experience. It can also make economic sense if you incorporate proper planning, partnerships, and innovative solutions. Yet, the process of large scale historic restoration projects are not without challenges. One of the main challenges is energy efficiency, where traditional insulation solutions do not always work and full replacements of elements like historic windows do not always make sense or are even permitted. Finding solutions that can improve energy efficiency without altering the integrity and/or aesthetic of historic structures is usually ideal for building owners, contractors, preservationists, and architects interested in restoring historic buildings. Climate Seal’s interior storm windows is one of those solutions.
Let’s dig into this cost-effective and non-invasive solution to improving the energy efficiency in historic buildings. We will look at:
- Why historic buildings struggle with energy loss
- The role of interior thermal storm windows in energy conservation
- Key benefits of Climate Seal interior storm windows
- The environmental impact of energy-efficient restoration
Why Historic Buildings Struggle with Energy Loss
If you have ever searched for “historical landmarks near me” you may have noticed that the windows on historic structures and homes often are a defining feature. The adage, “they don’t make them like they used to” can easily apply. The craftsmanship, detail, and aesthetics of historic windows add much to the retention of the character and architectural integrity of older buildings. But, they can also contribute to a building’s unnecessary energy loss for several reasons.
Many historic buildings were built before modern insulation standards were established and a lack of insulation is one of the primary reasons for energy loss within a building. For windows specifically, it is common to find single-pane windows, which offer very little thermal protection, especially when compared to that of double or triple-pane windows that are more standard in contemporary construction.
Window Restoration vs. Replacement
Although historic windows do add to the aesthetic and architectural beauty of a home, they also often require significant repair in the restoration process and maintenance of older windows, even once restored, can be more labor intensive than newer windows. However, historic windows, once repaired and restored will last longer than newer windows, which can be worthwhile. This can make restoration a better option over time, especially when considering the preservation of a building’s historic and architectural integrity.
Also, preservation guidelines will often restrict full window replacements as to not disrupt the look and feel of the historical building. This can make retrofitting windows to be more energy efficient difficult. With these factors in mind, sometimes solutions for energy efficiency in historic buildings can be a challenge.
Many demolished historic buildings fell to these struggles, but old historic buildings do not need to be lost because of them. There are cost-effective and non-invasive solutions, including installing interior thermal storm windows to improve energy conservation in historic buildings, even historic buildings in Minneapolis, where heating costs are always a concern.
The Role of Storm Windows in Energy Conservation
Storm windows for historic homes and buildings offer a way to retain historic windows while also increasing the window’s energy efficiency. If you are wondering how storm windows reduce heating and cooling costs it is because when the storm window traps a volume of air between the existing window and the new storm window, the amount of thermal transfer between the inside and outside of a building is reduced.
Some older storm window solutions were installed seasonally on the exterior of the building, but this type of storm window can disrupt the use of the windows as well as their historic beauty. In addition, there is also the time and labor required to install and then remove the windows as well as the space to store them when not in use.
Interior thermal window inserts are a much better option for historic buildings because they are less labor intensive and do not disrupt the window’s architectural beauty or function. Climate Seal’s storm windows, which use a simple magnetic attachment system, can be installed and removed within seconds once the discreet perimeter metal is installed. They are one of the top preservation-friendly window solutions on the market and create an airtight seal that reduces drafts, improves indoor comfort, and lowers heating and cooling costs.
Key Benefits of Climate Seal Interior Storm Windows
Climate Seal interior storm windows carry some key benefits that make them ideal for non-invasive energy upgrades for preservation projects and historic homes.
Improved Thermal Insulation
Improving insulation in old buildings is always a goal in sustainable refurbishment. Climate Seal interior storm windows are a solution for adding cost-effective insulation for old buildings. This added layer of thermal insulation reduces heat loss in winter and keeps interiors cooler in summer.
Lower Energy Costs
By reducing energy loss in historic buildings Climate Seal interior storm windows help cut heating and cooling expenses, lowering monthly utility bills.
Preservation-Friendly Solution
As a non-invasive solution with no need to remove or replace original historic windows or add any extra installation hardware to the window frame, Climate Seal interior storm windows are a true historic preservation solution.
Read More: Historic Buildings Around the Nation That Benefit from Climate Seal Inserts
Protection Against UV Damage
In addition, Climate Seal interior storm windows also offer UV protection for historic interiors by blocking harmful rays that can fade furniture, artwork, and textiles.
Noise Reduction
Another characteristic of historic windows that cannot be overlooked, is the amount of exterior noise that they allow to leak into a building. Climate Seal storm window inserts create a sound barrier that can improve the acoustic comfort within a building’s interior.
The Environmental Impact of Energy-Efficient Restoration
Improving the energy efficiency of an older home or historic structure supports two very clear sustainability goals that both use less energy.
First, the restoration of an older building is more sustainable than building new structures. It follows the idea of “reduce, reuse, recycle” by reducing the amount of energy needed to manufacture new materials, reusing the materials contained in the historic buildings, and using recycled or salvaged materials in the preservation process. It can be said that “restore” is yet another part of the sustainability cycle.
Second, by restoring historic windows, improving their insulation, and installing thermal storm window inserts you can significantly cut down on the energy that is used to heat and cool your older home or historic building without having to replace the windows. The energy efficiency that can be achieved with these steps significantly raises the thermal protection of historic windows.
All of this is to say that there are long-term benefits of reducing a building’s carbon footprint, including:
- Energy cost-savings year over year through lower utility bills
- Lower resource consumption and emissions
- Improved health and comfort of the building’s occupants
- Positive contributions to climate mitigation and impacts
A Smart Investment for Historic Preservation
If you are working on a historic restoration or preservation project, whether as a building owner, preservationist, or architect, you will most likely have to reckon with the historic windows in the building in one way or another. Although historic windows offer authenticity and beauty to a building, they do not often offer energy efficiency or comfort when it comes to regulating the building’s interior temperature. On the other hand, replacing the windows can be both costly and at times not an option due to preservation considerations. Climate Seal storm windows are an option that helps improve the building’s energy efficiency and comfort while also maintaining its historic integrity.
Contact Climate Seal to learn more about this non-invasive energy upgrade. It can be the cost-effective solution you are looking for.
