Install a storm window

A necessary part of defending your home against air infiltration is with a combination storm window that keeps warm air inside in the winter and has screens to open the window to fresh air in the summer. The windows, available in standard and custom sizes, are designed with glass and screen inserts that slide in and out of position in channels along the sides of the frame making them adaptable to different conditions; it’s a hedge against high heating and cooling bills.

Aluminum storm windows are a good choice to replace old wooden storms and screens, and they’re widely available online, at building suppliers, home centers and window replacement companies.

A contractor will replace a 3-foot-by-5-foot aluminum storm window for $470, which includes labor and material. A handy homeowner can buy the unit for $155 and install it, pocketing a 67 percent saving. When you’re investing in new storm windows for the entire house, you’re better off hiring a window replacement company because there’s an economy of scale a do-it-yourselfer can’t compete with.

If you do it yourself and are replacing an existing storm window with a new one, allow time to remove the old one and make any repairs or adjustments to the window frame before installing the new one. If you plan to paint the window frame, now is the time to do it.

To find more DIY and contractor project costs, videos and calculators, visit www.diyornot.com on a laptop, tablet or smartphone.

Pro Cost -- DIY Cost -- Pro time -- DIY Time -- DIY Savings -- Percent Saved

$470 -- $155 -- 3.5 -- 7.0 -- $315 -- 67 Percent

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