DIY Basement Storm Windows

Storm windows can increase the energy efficiency of home windows; however, they can be costly. Building your own basement storm windows can reduce your energy bill at a relatively inexpensive price. With a few household items and hardware store materials, you can build and install your own basement storm windows. To ensure basement storm window efficiency, when installing these storm windows it is important to maintain approximately ½ inch of air space between the storm window and the glass window.

• 1

  Purchase 1-by-2-inch boards, corresponding to the approximate length and height of the basement window(s) that will have storm window(s) installed.

• 2

  Measure the exact length and height of the window. It is better to have measurements slightly less -- up to 1/4 of an inch -- rather than too large because measurements too big will not fit within the basement window frame.

• 3

  Cut the 1-by-2-inch boards corresponding to the measurements of the basement window's height and length.

• 4

  Place the boards together in the shape of the specific window. The side, lengthwise height boards should be within the ends of the top and bottom, width boards.

• 5

  Screw the boards together. Screw two 3-inch screws at each corner. At the top corners of the frame, screw downward through both boards, and at the bottom corners of the frame, screw upward through both boards. This should form a solid basement storm window frame.

• 6

  Tape down the double-sided tape around the inner edge of the boards. Leave the paper on the opposite side of the adhesive tape.

• 7

  Measure the heat shrink film to the storm window frame. Cut the heat shrink film according to the storm window frame measurements. Leave excess film around each side of the frame so you have extra to work with.

• 8

  Remove the paper from the other side of the double-sided tape exposing the opposite sticky side.

• 9

  Stretch the film and press it firmly down onto the double-sided tape. If desired, cut away excess film.

• 10

  Shrink the heat shrink film with the hairdryer. Face the hairdryer toward the film with about five inches of space between the two. Go back and forth with the hairdryer to reduce the chance of burning a hole through the film. Use the hairdryer over the entirety of the film. Ensure the film becomes taut and has no wrinkles.

• 11

  Tape down the sides of the film onto the board using the 2-inch tape. You do not need to tape all the way around the film and board frame, but placing a few pieces of extra tape around the frame will ensure the film is firm and tight against the frame.

• 12

  Place the basement storm windows on the inside of the basement windows. To ensure the basement storm window presses firmly against the basement window frame -- with ideally 1/2 inch of air space between the glass and film -- use double-sided tape to tape the storm window against the basement window frame.