: They act as a "shield," preventing the original wood sashes from deteriorating due to exposure to rain, snow, and UV rays.

For homeowners like Sarah, who live in drafty historic 1910 Craftsman homes, the choice between modern replacement windows and traditional is often a battle between heart and wallet . Sarah's original single-pane windows were part of the home's soul, but the winter air in Western New York was turning her living room into an icebox. She found that adding exterior aluminum storm windows could create a powerful thermal barrier, potentially raising the interior glass temperature from a freezing 27°F to a comfortable 65°F—all while preserving the irreplaceable heart-pine sashes she had spent years restoring. The Benefits of Storm Windows

: At an average of $150 to $450 per window for materials and labor, storm windows are significantly cheaper than full window replacements.