A.John Seekircher, owner
of Seekircher Steel Window Repair in Peekskill,
N.Y., responds: The best solution I've found
to this tricky problem is a magnetic storm window
offered by New York Window (347/538-2075), a
fabricator/supplier that specializes in the repair
and restoration of commercial and residential metal
windows.
In some cases, the company's magnetic storm
windows can be mounted directly on the interior
side of a casement window sash, so they won't
interfere with the window's operation.
Where a handle or window operator interferes
with this kind of installation, the company will
fabricate an auxiliary track that can be mounted to
the existing window; the magnetic storm then mounts
to the track.
The window is easy to remove and satisfies code
and egress issues.
It has a narrow 7/8-inch-wide profile and an
integral bellows (similar to the gasket found on a
refrigerator door) to account for atmospheric
pressure differentials, and it can be fitted with
acrylic, laminated, or tempered glass in various
thicknesses.
Costs start at about $10 to $12 per square foot.
As you might guess, accurate dimensioning of the
existing window is important for these
custom-fabricated storm units.
The windows accommodate a couple of different
types of screens. There is a magnetic screen that
can be snapped into place on the same track. On
larger windows, a wicketlike opening built into the
screen can be used to access the window's operator,
while on smaller windows the screens can simply be
removed and replaced to open or close the
window.
Prices for screens start at about $100 for a
typical 3x5 window.
For high-end applications, the company also
offers a rollaway screen; prices for a 3x5 window
start at about $225 or so.