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A question for you northern people

15 years ago

My son and his wife are southernors who may be moving to Minneapolis. Right now they live in San Antonio. I'm fearful the weather will be more than they will be able to tolerate in the winter. I grew up on the pairies of Canada and so I know cold and snow.:) I remember that in the fall my parents put on all the storm windows and then took them off in the spring.

My DIL will NOT live in the suburbs and so they will probably be buying an older home. Are they still going to find these homes that require storm windows? If the windows have been replaced, what should they be looking for? What is standard up there for new construction windows? Do they use double pane or triple pane?

And this is off topic, but if someone wants to tell me if they still change their tires to snow tires for the winter I'd be interested in that info. too.

TIA.

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Comments (4)

galefarm
15 years ago
There is a possibility that they may end up with a house that has storm windows that have to be put on and taken off. If they have replacement windows you want to check for a good inulated glass with LOW E and Inert Gases between the panes. They want to check the seals on the windows. when the window is open check to make sure the seals/ weatherstripping are complete nto torn or cracked or otherwise beat up. A trick I have used on house inspections is to use some chalk on the bottom weather stripping closing the window then seeing if the line imprints on the sill all the way across the window without a gap. If it is a windy day when they are looking at the house close the windows and see if the air comes though the window. Another problem is the insulation around the frame. A lot of builders still ike to use fiberglass jammed in between the frame and the studs. This is not a good idea as the fiberglass will hold moisture. The insulation around a window should be low or non expanding foam insulation. A double pane glazing is fine if they are an up to date window.

To answer your other question up here in New England no to the snow tires for the most part. A good set of all seasons with good tread on the car is sufficient especially with front wheel drive cars. A few die hards still use snow tires but I haven't put a pair on my car for a good 15 yeears and never had a problem
User
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks Galefarm
My son just laughed at me when I told him about those storm windows. He thinks that was the dark ages LOL and that no one would need to use them now.
I'm so afraid they are going to be SHOCKED when winter comes.
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john7447
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Triple pane makes sense with the rising heating and cooling costs.You will be glad you chose triple pane when
heating oil goes to 5.00 or 6.00 bucks a gallon

Here is a link that might be useful: window replacement Boston
neesie
15 years ago
Minnesotans don't use heating oil. Most have forced air (gas). I'm not aware of anyone using storm windows, most people I know have triple pane.

Chloe, I hope nobody tries to trick your son with the "special air" that Minnesotans put in their tires for the winter. It was a huge joke played on a morning disc jockey that came here from Florida. They totally convinced her that people went to their mechanics to get the air in their tires changed for winter driving! Many out of towners were quite confused and went to service stations for this speical need!

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