5 Surprising Ways Window Inserts Help Your Health -- and Preserve an Historic Home

Sponsored By Indow Window Inserts

Custom window inserts that simply press into place.

Created By Brownstoner

Laurie Duncan, owner of a Brooklyn loft, describes winter as an “arctic breeze coming through the windows.” And it’s true — steel windows, modern replacement windows, and beautiful historic wood windows, if not well maintained, can feel like they don’t stop anything from the outside world coming in.

It’s not just arctic blasts either — life is getting louder, making it hard to sleep and concentrate. Extreme weather shifts bring heat waves, and dust and pollen cling to everything, making allergies worse and cleaning an endless task.

These are health hazards, and can be hard to combat, especially while maintaining the beauty of an historic home.

But window inserts, which press into the inside of your window frame to block noise, drafts, and dust, offer all the benefits of traditional storm windows without the hassle. Even better, they allow the beauty of original historic windows to be seen. And they’re completely compliant with Landmarks Preservation Commission rules.

Indow window inserts can help keep you and your family healthy in 2020 in the following ways:

1. Add soundproofing
Noise pollution is a silent killer. The World Health Organization (WHO) sets the standard for daytime noise at 55 decibels. New York City restaurants average 96 decibels and New York City midtown traffic averages 85 decibels. Those elevated levels cause hearing loss, sleep deprivation, cognitive issues, heart disease and children’s developmental delays in language skills.

But add acoustic-grade Indow window inserts to windows facing the traffic and block up to 70 percent of outside noise. They don’t need any mounting hardware and are invisible from the outside, making them Landmarks approved.

2. Block cold drafts
Unlike traditional storm windows, Indow inserts are custom made to fit perfectly into your existing windows to block all drafts. They are simple to use and save an average of 20 percent on energy bills by keeping cold air out and heated air in.

3. Block extreme heat
Equally frustrating is losing all your cool air to drafty windows during a heatwave. Window inserts keep the cool air inside and hot air outside, easing the burden of your air conditioning unit while saving you money and frustration all summer long. Indow inserts can be split into two panels or tailored to accommodate an air conditioner.

4. Stop city grime from getting in
Dirt seems to follow us into our homes. A buildup of dust and dirt can hurt the indoor air quality in your New York home and you might find the evidence on your windowsills. Because of the Indow six-point laser measure system (it includes four sides and two diagonals), the insert fits to the 1/32nd of an inch in your window opening to stop air and grime from entering your space.

5. Add blackout panels for sleep
Adding sleep panels to a bedroom provides 100 percent darkness for a more restful sleep, uninterrupted by passing lights or bright signs. These inserts are well suited to infants (and their sleepy parents), who often need to sleep when the sun is brightest.

Make health your priority at home without sacrificing space or personal taste. The inserts allow the beauty of original windows — the key to the appearance of any historic townhouse — and they are Landmark compliant.

All Indow window inserts are made in Portland, Ore., but have been helping New Yorkers since 2011.

Get a free consultation for pricing and which grade type works best for your window by clicking here.

[Photos by Indow Windows except when noted otherwise]