We lived in Louisiana for a while and had a similar porch. The windows ran on a wooden track and were made by Anderson. I think they were called Anderson Window Walls.

Hmmm this "window wall" sounds interesting, anyone have any more info on these? I don't see anything on Anderson site.

I've been going around in circles re: windows for screen porch or sun porch. Everyone sez get real windows, so you can heat and make 4 seasons, etc. etc. but a good "real" window costs $500 bucks or more. And I have no interest in ever heating the space since its on northwest side of house and would not get much sun in the winter, so what's the point?

Now Im thinking top of the line storm windows (Larson "gold" series?) at $100-120 ea. in white or bronze nicely trimmed inside and out ... so it looks nicer/more substantial than just cheesy gray aluminum storm window tacked to 2x4s. I realized all I want is a place to hang in the summer and catch breezes. Since all I have is a tiny urban postage-stamp sized yard, it will be really about the only outdoor summer living space there is. Its big-- room for hammock, table & chairs, maybe even a jaccuzi.

Problem is... I continue to catch flack from everyone and everybody incl the person who would install these storms, the building permit people, window salesmen, etc. They all say get the cheesy vinyl window for same price and think that by going to storm windows I'm devaluing my property somehow. But I am just not sold on the durability of $100 vinyl windows. I was all set to get some anderson vinyl windows at about $200 ea. until I saw the tracks for the sashes on display model were all cracked! The guy I pointed it out to said "well it gets a lot of use." Well, duh! It would get a lot of use over 20-30 years too, wouldn't it?

(sorry for blathering, I think I just needed to vent to a hopefully sympathetic audience) Guess I'm wondering what experiences people have had with Larson gold stormwindows, are they as durable as they look? The display said "recommended for enclosed porches."

We are doing old fashioned storms for our windows.. and old fashioned screens you know.. the sort you change off each season... we are making wooden frames for them.. I think they are going to be very nice and very much in keeping with the age of my house. The only orginal windows on the house are downstairs ( french windows).. and i will never ever ever let anyone take those out.. but they are drafty.. so classic full storms are the answer for me... what a better way to welcome Spring than to put up the screens, or to snugle up for the winter by putting up the glass ones. Mind you I might feel different if I have to do this on my second or third floor!.. but for the 12 windows on ground level front of my house.. it seems best and fitting.

Maddiemom

Id like all screens, but I wonder if rain coming in would be a problem? I know some old porches are slanted w/ drain holes, I don't know if mine is. It was originally an open porch so maybe but then it was all sealed up. In winter youd put up the glass windows to keep out snow, but what about rain coming in and forming puddles on the floor?

What did you end up doing, Current Resident? Also thinking about the Scenix windows.