"Am I correct that 2-track storms typically have a full-height, stationary screen? I"

No, a 2 track storm window has a fixed upper glass panel with a fixed lower screen panel directly below it in the outside track. It also has an operable glass planel in the inside track. What you lose is the ability to move the upper glass and the lower screen. To do that you would need another outside track for the screen making it a 3 track storm wndow.

For a bedroom you would need to have another window act as the required emergency escape and rescue opening.

For an old house I have foound it best to paint the sash (not the frame) black and use a black storm window.

Black is also difficult to find.

2 track storm for historic houses

Thank you, @res2architect. So I do need 3-track. That's very helpful.

If you are needing them anytime soon, its best to decide on which brand you are going to want, and get them ordered. The wait is several weeks for them, these days.

Agreed, @cat_ky! I learned my lesson the hard way given that 3 companies (now Larson too!) got out of the storm window business after I dragged my feet. I'm now waiting to hear back from Quanta-Panel. They don't seem to answer their phone and calls go to voice mail. Hopefully I'll hear back soon

Thanks for the very helpful info, @toddinmn.

After giving it some thought I don't think I really need the moveable screen for egress, but I'd prefer just a half-screen to avoid obstructing the view through the top half of the window.

I requested an estimate from QuantaPanel yesterday over the website. I'll reach out to the others today as well.

Have you thought about going to your local lumber yard and talking with them, and have them order for you. I replaced 3 last year, with 3 track, and the lumber company ordered them.

I hadn't thought of that. Excellent idea! I'll call today and ask.

Just stopped by our local lumber yard and had to inform them that Larson just left the business. It doesn't look like they'll be selling storm windows again any time soon. :-(

Mine are larson too. Since they all match, I am glad I bought the last ones before they stopped selling them, although, I am guessing, that no one would notice the difference, except me. Looks like this company still makes them.

https://www.westwindow.com/windows/storm-windows/lancer-yeoman-storm-windows

Glad that you were able to pick yours up in time, @cat_ky!

I just called westwindow and their Velvalume *would* be a good fit (3-track, low profile, comes in tan). BUT, they don't sell north of Maryland and I'm in New York, so the hunt continues ...

Can't believe I will actually mention this company but Metal Industries used to make a triple track, not sure if they do any longer. Fox Aluminum products in Michigan still lists one as available as well. Where in NY are you overhear? I am on L.I..

I'm in Westchester Co. I'll look those up ...

Follow-up questions for the experts:

• I'd appreciate it if folks could weigh in on any quality differences they're aware of between the various brands. I'm currently looking at Monray, QuantaPanel, Fox, and Casco.
• Our windows have a 4-inch bottom rail and I've noticed that our current storm windows have a wide aluminum band on the bottom that matches the height of the window rail (see pictures). Is that the best way to achieve an integrated look? Or would it look nicer if the storm window just had the maximum amount of glass?
• Since I haven't seen these products apart from pictures, should I be looking at the specs of the extruded aluminum to assess quality and strength?

Thanks again

!

That bottom rail is not typical nor desiresble. Tyoucally it be 1/2 that it less. I have always went by the eye test with storms.unfortunately i am not familiar with all the brands listed. The Monray is a better built unit than the Casco. I

Thanks @toddinmn. Having looked again, I do think that the bottom rail is kind of unsightly because the bottom rails of the storm window and interior window are only visually aligned if you're standing directly in front of them.

Thanks for your thoughts on Monray vs. Casco.

If anyone can make a comparison between Monray and QuantaPanel, that would be helpful.

UPDATE:

I'm leaning heavily toward going with QuantaPanel over Mon-Ray windows. Mon-Ray put us in touch with a local distributor who brought by a sample. I'm not sure which style it is, but I don't love how the screen frame is wider than the frames on the glass panels (see pic). The screen on the sample is also a very dark black. I haven't checked on whether they offer other screen materials. PRICE QUOTE INCL. MEASUREMENT AND INSTALLATION: Approx. $1,000 per window.

Quanta Panel sent samples, which appear very solid and sturdy (see pics). I also really like the look of their 700-series storms (the one in almond, below), which have the mounting flange located between the tracks, resulting in a lower profile. QP's quotes are coming in at around $350 per window for product only. I'm waiting to hear what screen material they have available and then will likely move forward.

MON-RAY SAMPLE STORM WINDOW (unknown style)

QUANTA PANEL FRAME SAMPLES (Almond is 704, White is 504)

I’d rule out Monray just on price.

Yeah, it's crazy, If I'd liked the windows more I would have asked the contractor for a price breakdown.

Was that price installed?

Yes, the Monray price (~$21K) includes measurement and installation. The QP price ($7-8K) is just the windows and excludes shipping and installation. I'll need to find my own contractor to install.

@toddinmn, I just received this breakdown from the Monray contractor -- for windows alone it's $863 per window(!).

Here's the Breakdown

Windows $ 18,978

Caulking sealed both sizes interior and exterior cost $ 342.00

Our labor installation $ 2,250.00

Houzz friends, Can I get a sanity check?

I'm about ready to order from Quantapanel, but I'm concerned that I won't like their screen material, which I'm told is black aluminum.

My understanding is that fiberglass is less likely to dent, and that charcoal-color screens are less visible and offer a better view out.

Can others weigh in? If I can request a custom material, can someone advise as to the best material, gauge, and hole count for visibility and durability?

THANKS!

Screen material is a trade off.

Fiberglass will tear when aluminum may only dent. Fiberglass is less noticable especially in its more transparent offerings. fiberglass is easier to rescreen and is often a cheaper option. Aluminum holds up better to uv. I would check and see if they will give you an option first, then look at samples.

Thanks, @toddinmn

I have been following this thread and am having the same issues and dilemmas. Did you order the quanta panel? We ordered and installed one of their 500 series windows to try it and have like it so far. Very low profile. I originally wanted triple track as I like to get the screen up and out of the way most of the year but cannot find a decent manufacturer at a reasonable price. We used to purchase Harvey Tru Channel but they discontinued them after Harvey sold the business to a large conglomerate.

Hi @markmic, I'm still waiting for my contractor to come out and measure. I'm glad to see that you like the look of the 500 series because I was leaning toward the lower profile 700 series, but my contractor thought it could be more difficult to get the measurements right for those. If you wouldn't mind posting a photo of the one you installed, that would be really helpful.

I'm enjoying the discussion because I am currently trying to find triple-track screens for my new-to-me 1923 bungalow.

A note on fiber glass screens: We had heavy-duty (pet resistant) fiber glass screening installed on our porch, because we had a cat that liked to climb screens and could rip one apart with his claws in seconds. We had previously had had metal screening that we were constantly patching and replacing. The fiberglass held up extremely well, and the one time that a guest accidentally created a hole with a lit cigar, it was easy to patch. The sample material looked very dark and I was reluctant to use it, but we didn't notice when sitting on the porch.

I'm enjoying the discussion because I am currently trying to find triple-track screens for my new-to-me 1923 bungalow.

A note on fiber glass screens: We had heavy-duty (pet resistant) fiber glass screening installed on our porch in our previous 1930s colonial revival, because we had a cat that liked to climb screens and could rip one apart with his claws in seconds. We had previously had had metal screening that we were constantly patching and replacing. The fiberglass held up extremely well, and the one time that a guest accidentally created a hole with a lit cigar, it was easy to patch. The sample material looked very dark and I was reluctant to use it, but we didn't notice when sitting on the porch.

Sounds familiar.

Hello to all! I have been following this thread for a month or so. I am in CT and am looking for replacement storms for a 125 year old cottage on the coast of southern Maine that gets pummelled with harsh weather. What I have learned is that Quanta 704 is way better than 500 series. Have yet to get a person on the phone which makes it impossible to consider them as a legit resource. Our current storms are Eastern Mount, old aluminum, high profile, pitted and erodes and extremely heavy. They are handing on by a prayer with mitred corners, frames falling apart, etc. About 30 to replace.... ugh.

For @Overhear who is in NY, other vendors to consider are Dorchester Door and Window out of Dorchester, MA: https://www.dorchesterdoorandwindow.com/

Their higher grade storm is Point 1 and the price given to me for a 61 x 40 1/4 is $297. It is triple track. Dorchester is the vendor for the mnfctr, who is out of Warwick RI ,

and I have been in touch but not yeat gotten a quote. You can look them up:

https://custombuiltri.com/ .Will FU with them next week.

I am hoping that ordering directly from RI will be a better price.

Attached are some pics of the current storms which are a wreck.

I would like a storm that has 2nd or inner track screen so that it doesn't get wrecked by bad weather on the exterior traack.

I am struggling to upload a video of the Point 1 storm which IU received from Dorchester Thursday, Will continue to try.

Another company worth investigating is out of Montville, CT:

https://alltimemfg.com/storm-windows/

I have heard good things an am awaiting a quote. Ther both make and sell the storms and... answer the phone- refresbing.

Welcome any input for my windows and naturally looking for as flush a mounting as possible. Very frustrating to not get people to answer phones, respond to emails or post photos of the triple track design. The do vary....

Thank you. Ellen

Another question regarding the photo above and another attached here. I remain confused on understanding the "blind stop" which seems to be the key to any opportunity to use an "inset" storm window rather than one that is exterior mounted, as is the case here.

Can an expert tell me if these windows can accomodate the inset storm which seem to offer a lower profile and better aesthetic from the exterior??

Appreciate any help I can get! Thank you.

@overhear- did you get QP 704 series??? pics???

So sorry for the delay in replying, @Ellen Mahony. Our windows will finally be arriving tomorrow! I'll post pictures as soon as I have some installed.

We ended up ordering the QuantaPanel 500 series because our contractor who measured and will be installing them was concerned that the 700 series windows -- which are set internally -- would be much more challenging to install if there were slight measuring issues or if the window wasn't square.

So-admittedly after some obsession-- I decided that the cosmetic differences probably didn't warrant paying for more of my contractor's time. I sincerely hope I still feel that way once they're installed.

To contact QuantaPanel, it may be best to contact the owner directly. We've found him to be very responsive and helpful: Jay Reyher (jreyher@quantapanel.com)

I should add that a possible additional benefit of the QP 500 series (over the 700s) is that the 500s may qualify for tax credits, depending upon your region:

https://www.quantapanel.com/save-up-to-1200-in-federal-energy-tax-credits/

Hello overhear

Curious to see what you think. when they arrive. I have also been procrastinating like crazy…. QP was unable or unwilling to give me a couple of homeowner references and for that reason, I got cold feet. Also, I really wanted to see the windows and there are none in CT or New England.
I visited 3 other companies- CT, RI and MA and it was worth it. As much as I wanted to stay away from a bulky frame, the best by far was in RI.
I’ll post the company links when I get to a computer.
BUT, still haven’t ordered bc stuck on paint selections for house. Always something!!
Look forward to hearing your follow up. For others, see links below.

overhear,

Hear are the companies- triple track that I visited for Eastern Mount historic windows:

https://www.alltimemfg.com/ All Time Manufacturing, Montville, CT family run for many years

https://ciiwindowsanddoors.com/ Coastal Industries, Inc .Haverhill, MA family run for many years

https://custombuiltri.com/ Custom Built Windows and Doors, Warwick, RI .Long track record, best built of all that I visited, solid and tight windows, no option for custom powder coat for color but better base selection than most companies.

Prices were lowest at AllTime in CT. Coastal Industries was highest and there was a significant upcharge for custom color on top.

The best storm by a mile was at Custom Built in RI and in addition, it is a professional operation with a large onsite plant and many displays of their work with good sales people. Price was in the middle. NO custom color option but decent selections in their color options.

Interested to know etimate on pricing for taking off old storms and putting up new?? About 20 to do. On an island off Maine coast.

Thanks.

Wow! Thanks so much for sharing your research! Too late for me but I'm sure it'll help others who are in the market.

In case it's helpful ... here's some info I received from QP, including links to images of the installed 500 and 700 series storm windows:

Additional information on the QUANTAPANEL 504-DH IGS can be found here, along with product pictures. Here is an installed photo: PHOTO-1.

Additional information on the QUANTAPANEL 704-DH IGS can be found here, along with product pictures. Here is an installed photo: PHOTO-2.

The main differences between these two series; Both series are a low profile two-track window. Our 500 series have the mounting flange on the back of the window. Meaning the sash tracks protrude out from flange. Our 700 series windows have the flange in the middle and part of the frame recesses back into the opening and typically is used in an Eastern Style casing meaning they don’t have blind stop and are mounted on the casing of the prime window. This allows the window to not protrude from the casing as far. This can be used on a blind stop installation, but because part of the main frame recess back into the opening the blind stop needs to be big enough that our frame does not hit the prime window sash and isn’t able to sit flat to mount properly.

overhear .

also, the triple track panels are all removeable. I liked the RI company because the screen was NOT on the exterior panel- rather, that is a solid jct between the 2 panels of glass which makes for a tight seal. It also has furry weather stripping on 3 sides of each panel which adds to the tight seal and better insulation. the screen is a full sceen which comes in either aluminium or FG. It will not have the same issues with weather and dings based on it;s interior positon- smart.

The corners are all butted, not mitred and there is a drip overhang at the upper sill.