single pane to insulated glass

On This Old House a couple of years ago they took some wooden windows and converted them from single pane glass to insulated glass. Has anyone done this in the "real world"? I realize that you would have to make the ledge where the glass sits deeper to accept the thicker glass, but I thought this could maybe done with a router and top bearing flush trim bit. My windows are odd size sliders (about 6ft wide-29" high) but are in decent shape overall.What do you think? I really don't like the look of those white vinyl windows and can't really afford the ones with the real wood on the inside. Just exploring some options.
Thanks

 

Much depends on where you are located (climate-wise) and the orintation.

If it is only one window, you will never see the difference on the utility bill, but you may see a difference in comfort near the window.

I replaced 10 old single pane windows that had storms with new vinyl windows and never saw any difference. Everyone said was the "thing" to do.

I did end up with the exterior that was wrapped with aluminum and made everything look "cute" and had no maintenance.

There is nothing wrong with an older window if it does not leak and you have shades for use in the winter that cut the radiant heat loss that few thermal panes ever do a good job on.

Dick

 

That was done to keep the old look of the windows, and as I recall, was more expensive than installing new windows. But older windows also leak air around the sashes and frames, that will not be fixed by replacing the glass. Replacement windows fit into the existing frame(provided the frame has no rot), and is the least expensive way to improve cold air infiltration. And Lo-E glass blocks most of the UV, which causes fabrics to fade. Replacing the entire window can be expensive, but will eliminate nearly all air infiltration from the winow opening, if done correctly. And lo-E/argon glass provides an R value of about 4, single glazing is about 1.

 

Although not very popular today, they still make storm windows for sliders. You will maintain the look and get the insulating value at a more affordable cost.

 

We have storm windows on the house now. They are wood storms and wood screens and have to be changed seasonally (a real pain) Would these storm windows you speak of have 2 glass and 1 screen window? Our windows have brick moulding at the sides and top on the exterior. Would the storms attach to the brick moulding? What about the bottom of the storms-no moulding there. Do you have to add a piece of wood to the sill to have a place to attach the bottom of the storm? Thanks

 

Yes, triple track storm & screen windows have 2 glasses and 1 screen. The window is mounted on the blind stop on the sides and top (that's the 1/2" piece of wood behind the brickmold. The bottom of the storm window will have an expander which is adjusted to sit on the sill and does not get screwed in.

 

Thanks for the info. What kind of material are these windows available in-probably aluminum, anything else?

 

Painted aluminum.

 

Storm screen combination windows are available in aluminum, vinyl, and wood. My recommendation is aluminum. Although aluminum is a lousy insulator for the prime (inside) window, it makes for a great storm window.

 

Went to the big boxes today looking at storms. They both seem to carry Larson around here. Any comments on these? They also say they can mounted inside as mentioned above or on the brick moulding itself. Is there a prefered method or is it purely a cosmetic choice?

 

If you want a quality storm window go to a local window company. Most storm windows and made to mount on the blind stop. For it to be mounted on the brick mold, it would have to be made with a wide flange so the the sashes can be removed from the inside. Blind stop mounted is preferred.