Storm doors and windows are not as common as they once were. The current trend leans toward more efficient primary windows. Many people feel storm windows are ugly. Yet there are still plenty of contractors trying to sell their services to supply and install storm windows and doors.
Consumers are conscious of the costs of heating and cooling their homes, and storm windows and doors can reduce those costs. Since add-on windows and doors can save energy, they are worth considering.
Storm doors
Storm doors come in many designs, finished, and prices. Low-end doors have prices starting at around $80. Better doors cost between $125 and $150, and premium doors can cost up to $250.
Patient homeowners can manage the installation of storm doors. If a professional installs your door, the labor charge will probably be around $100.
Storm windows
Storm windows are available in varying degrees of quality. Inexpensive units can be purchased for less than $30. Better windows are likely to run around $75. The price will fluctuate with the size of the window.
Installing storm windows is relatively easy. Any homeowner with average skills and tools can accomplish the task. Professionals, if installing a number of storm windows at the same time, will probably charge about $25 per unit.
Should you install storm windows and doors? You must weigh many factors to answer this question. Let’s break these factors down into close-up details.
Cost
Cost is certainly a consideration in fitting your home with storm windows and doors. Let’s look at what the cost might be to equip our sample house. We will assume this house has two standard exterior doors and nine windows. If you use middle-of-the road materials and do the installation yourself, the cost will be around $975. If you hire professionals to do the job, the cost might be $1,400.
If you already have high-quality primary windows and doors, the time it takes to recover your investment from energy savings could be substantial. However, if your primary windows and doors are not insulated and sealed tightly, the installation of storm windows and doors could pay for itself quickly.
As far as the value of storm windows and doors on an appraisal report, don’t expect to see an increase of more than about 50 percent of the retail professional installation cost.
Market demand
Market demand can be a factor in your decision on whether or not to install storm windows and doors. If the homes surrounding yours are equipped with storm windows and doors, the investment is better justified than if the surrounding homes depend on only high-quality primary doors and windows for their energy savings.
Also, if you’re in the market for some interior decorations, original artwork or art prints by artists like Charley Harper can really liven up a home.