The present invention relates to storm windows and, more particularly, to an improved storm window frame unit having an angulated, peripheral flange for direct interengagement with an existing window jamb.
Energy conservation in residential housing is of prime import in contemporary society. In that respect, conventional single glaze windows have been shown to be the biggest single cause of energy loss in the typical home. Energy is lost first through air infiltration around the window frame and sash. Window energy loss is also predominant via radiation through the glass in the window lites. It has been shown that approximately three (3) times as much energy is lost via radiation through the window lite as is normally lost from air infiltration. This is particularly so because one square foot of glass conducts at least ten times as much heat as one square foot of conventional wall. Glass has an R factor, or thermal resistance value, of 0.88. A conventional insulated wall provides a resistance, or R factor of 13 or better. Overall conventional windows have been shown to exhibit problems in over 80 percent of all homes. This figure exceeds half a billion windows without including the window problems of office buildings and other types of commercial establishments. Such an energy problem accounts for a great fuel loss which under the present fuel crisis renders the correction of such problem matters of national socio-economic import.
Conventional window construction include both single and double hung windows, the frames of which are more conventionally constructed of steel or aluminum of the extruded variety. Most conventional homes include windows of single glass panes which, although usually effectively sealed therearound readily permit the radiation of energy therethrough. Such heat loss through radiation leads to a great energy loss and an aggravation of the energy shortage. It is thus common in present times to encounter improved window designs including double pane window constructions utilizing insulated thermal barriers between glass panes for reducing conduction heat loss. The only effective means for reducing radiation heat loss is the utilization of blinds, curtains and the like for covering the transparency of the associated window.
Another form of reducing conduction and conduction heat loss in existing single pane windows is the utilization of storm windows being affixed at the outward regions thereof for creating a dead air space therebetween. According to the National Bureau of Standards, storm windows properly installed will cut heating bills a minimum of 10 to 20 percent. At average 1977 fuel prices in a 6000 degree day climate, such as Cleveland and Chicago, the investment in storm windows which are properly installed, can be recovered in five years. Unfortunately, only about 23 million of the 75 million yearround, single family homes in the United States have storm windows on every window, as reported by the Census Bureau. Such storm windows are commonly affixed directly to the frame or jamb of conventional windows for creating a sealed dead air space therebetween. Most prior art construction includes an insulation member such as box vinyl disposed between the existing window jamb and the window frame of the storm window. The insulation member reduces heat transfer and serves as a spacer for separating the two windows.
Conventional storm windows are fabricated from extruded aluminum facilitating the fabrication of multiple slide channels for receiving a plurality of sashes. The storm window is affixed to the existing window jamb by the utilization of screws or the like extending through an outer flange formed around the storm window frame. The flange is constructed in generally parallel relationship with the integrated window channel units of the storm window frame which peripheral extension in parallelism necessitates the use of a channel insulating element between the storm window and the conventional window for separation therebetween. The separation facilitates the creation of a dead air space as well as eliminating interference between the moving parts of the conventional window and the storm window. Without the separation the use and effectiveness of the window would be lessened.
Certain problems inherent in the fabrication and installation of conventional storm windows is the outer securement flange which usually necessitates the incorporation of an insulated channel member thereunder when applied to conventional windows. This channel member must be extruded from plastic or similar insulative material and include a flange configuration in itself for sealably engaging the subject storm window flange therewithin. The channel must also be of sufficient rigidity to withstand the compression and intrusion of fasting members therethrough. In short, most prior art storm window construction necessitates the creation of a suitable insulative channel and the disadvantages of securing the window thereupon which provides numerous areas of installation error and insulation ineffectiveness. Such problems may cause air infiltration and related energy loss of the type sought to be eliminated by the use of the storm window in the first place. It would be an advantage, therefore, to provide a storm window in a frame having a configuration which would eliminate the need for insulative channels and the related problems associated therewith.
The storm window of the present invention is provided for just such an application wherein the extruded frame of the storm window includes the angulated flange portion extending away from the extruded channel portion for purposes of installation and operation. The angulated flange includes a generally coplanar flange therearound for direct abutting engagement with the window jamb. In this manner, a substantially flat insulating gasket or plasticized sealant may be utilized between the existing window jamb and the storm window flange instead of a separate type insulating member of the prior art box vinyl variety. In this manner, the installation of the storm window of the present invention is greatly facilitated and the effectiveness of the sealing therebetween is maximized.