Thoughts in indows

Yep, that’s right indows, not an alternative to Microsoft’s operating system.

They are vinyl storm windows that fit internally. They seal out drafts, cut down noise, create ‘double glazing’ . . .

I’m investigating heating solutions for my house and need to focus on insulation first. I have existing sash windows which I’d like to renovate. At the moment they are very leaky. There are external 1970’s aluminium storm windows which are starting to fail. Some already need replacing.

I spoke to a heating engineer and he suggested I look at indows, which brings me here for some validation.

Pro’s for me:
1) Quick - I’m looking at geothermal and working with Dandelion Geothermal. They have a 9-11 month lead time but wont work with me until I’m well insulated. And if they specc’d a system with the house as is, it would require more boreholes and two compressors, so more expensive. The quicker I’m insulated the quicker I can get on the wait list and have geothermal installed before October 2023.
2) Noise - I live on a noisy road, so any sound blocking is a bonus. I’ll be pairing these with thick curtains in the bedrooms.
3) Price - cheaper than paying someone to build storm windows which I know I can do my self but constrained by time - see 1)
4) Gives me flexibility when I renovate the sash windows

Con’s:
1) Vinyl and plastics
2) No natural ventilation . . . I don’t like the idea of being sealed in and I normally sleep with a window cracked an inch.

What do you think? Is this a competative market and there are alternative solutions?

This is a very interesting idea! My concerns are essentially the same as yours. Bespoke tempered glass would be great, but crazy expensive, and it would need far more, in the way of mounting - and you still wouldn't be able to open them, at all. If there are only 1 or two that you'd want to be able to open, you could - with the indows - leave the one out, or just pop them in and out as needed, or so it seems. If you go that route, it might be best not to divulge the plan to them, if they're so persnickety about the insulation.

We had two different forms of secondary glazing at our previous house. It was a while ago ,they came 'with the house' and we soon replaced the windows for double glazed units so I can't give much feedback on how effective they were.
The nicest were in a channel, so slid over one another to access the window to open it. They were made of glass, and could lift out. I guess they were a bit like the doors you get for bookcases. It looks like you can still get similar, in fact there seem to be sash style and casement style variants available too.


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The others were held against the window frames with plastic clips, and were only removeable with tools. You might take them off in summer I guess when the insulation wasn't so important. They were a bit like these on ebay but posher. I'm pretty sure ours were glass.

Sorry I can't remember more of help.