Thermal Screen | Green Mtn Window

Thermal Screen®

Green Mountain Window Company’s Thermal Screen® is revolutionizing the window industry by making previously unattainable energy performance upgrades as simple as adding a screen to a window. What’s more, the Thermal Screen® adds traditional charm and appeal to a building's appearance while delivering modern energy savings.

Key Features

Although it appears to be a traditional window screen, the Thermal Screen® is actually a screen with integrated / concealed low-E glass panels on the interior, saving you energy throughout the year. Utilizing high visibility screen mesh and the clearest low-E glass technology available, the visibility through the Thermal Screen® is clearer than through a screen with standard fiberglass mesh. Ventilation is achieved by sliding the low-E panels to the “self-storing” upper position, or by removing both panels completely for full screen ventilation. The Thermal Screen® is crafted from sustainably harvested Accoya wood which carries a 50-year warranty against rot or decay. Installation is as easy as drilling four small holes into your existing window trim. And with brass spring plungers holding the Thermal Screen® in place, removal is a snap!

Existing Windows

No need to replace your windows to save energy! Custom sizing to fit your existing opening and no tools or special skills required to install.

Add the Thermal Screen® to existing single glass windows and the energy performance will be equal to or better than most modern insulated glass windows (NFRC modeled U value is .32).
Add the Thermal Screen® to existing double glazed windows and the energy performance will be similar to modern triple glazed windows (NFRC modeled U value is .22 to .30 depending on existing glass).
Use to replace existing ugly / worn out aluminum storm windows.
Use to cover up all vinyl or aluminum clad windows that don’t fit your style.

Uses

New Windows

Installed on a Green Mountain Window with insulated glass, U values can be as low as .19.
Installed on a single glass, true divided lite Green Mountain Window with low-E glass, the U value is .29, eliminating the need for insulated glass.

As a Stand-Alone Window

Can be used for three season rooms, cabins and porches.

Interior

Exterior

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How much does the Thermal Screen® cost?

The Thermal Screen® will cost less than virtually any quality replacement window. In fact, when the cost of installation is factored in, the Thermal Screen® will be a fraction of the cost of a replacement window. The Thermal Screen® also offers a pathway to long-term savings as your investment is gradually returned through decreased energy consumption.

Will the Thermal Screen® darken the view through my existing windows?

If you currently do not have window screens on your windows, yes, you will lose some visual transmittance. However, if you currently have screens or storm windows, the view will actually be clearer – see photo below.

Standard Screen Mesh Over a Low E/I.G. Window. U value = .31. R Value = 3.32

Thermal Screen Mesh Over a Low E/I.G. Window. U value = .19. R Value = 5.26. (63% better energy performance than the window on the left)

Is the screen mesh replaceable if the mesh gets torn?

Yes, remove the tacked-on exterior screen stops and you will see that the screen is held in place with screen spline just like other screens. Replace mesh with Phifer Ultra View 2 for an exact match. Use only stainless-steel pins / nails when re-applying the exterior screen stops.

Is the glass replaceable if it gets broken?

Yes, a glass shop can cut you a new piece and re-use the existing glass surround. Use Guardian I/S 20 Low E for an exact match.

Is the Thermal Screen® available in other colors?

Currently, the Thermal Screen® is only available in white. However, you can re-paint it any color you like: Just scuff up the existing finish before paint application for the best adhesion. Care should be taken not to get paint into the track where the operating panels slide.

Do I need to paint the Thermal Screen®?

As stated above, Thermal Screens® are factory finished in white but can be repainted in other colors if desired. However, paint on Accoya wood is purely for aesthetics; the wood itself does not require protection / coating. The original factory finish will last much longer than paint on siding or trim, but at some point, you may decide to touch up or repaint for cosmetic purposes.

How do you open the Thermal Screen® for ventilation?

The Thermal Screen® has three levels of ventilation. The first level is an 8” opening: Lift the handle of the lower panel upward and slide the panel until you hear a “click” – this is the spring-loaded retainer button popping out to hold the panel in this partially-open position. The second level is a 50% clear opening: Continue to lift the panel upward until you hear a second “click”. This is also the “self-storing” position if you want to leave the lower glass panel out of the way for summer months. If you want even more ventilation during the warmer months, both the upper and lower glass panels can be removed completely: Temporarily remove the Thermal Screen® from the window opening and slide the lower glass panel all the way up until it is completely free from the screen frame. Once the lower panel has been removed, the upper panel can be removed by lifting the lower edge upward and pulling in. This is also how you remove the panels to clean the exterior glass surfaces. Once both panels are removed, the Thermal Screen® can be popped back into the window opening using the spring plungers.

Are there advantages to the Thermal Screen® beyond increased energy performance and improved building appearance?

Yes! The Thermal Screen® will help with noise abatement, making your home or building interior quieter. Additionally, if your current windows are drafty, the Thermal Screen® will greatly reduce any air infiltration – similar to adding storm windows.

Are there any disadvantages to adding the Thermal Screen

Not really! If your windows have dividers in the glass, you may see a shadow reflection of them on the inside of the screen when looking at the screen from the interior. This is similar to what you might see on a window pane if you had a plant or furniture near the window. If you are focusing on anything outside, you will look right though it and not see the shadow reflection. But, if you are focusing on the screen itself, the reflection might be visible in certain light. Additionally, in certain climates, there is a possibility of condensation forming on the glass surface of the screen. This would be the same as with a storm window – if warm moist air hits a cold glass surface, condensation is possible. Generally, this possibility is highest during sudden temperature drops. However, if there is condensation, it will dissipate; and the good news is that the condensation is outside on the screen, not on the interior of the window in your home – which is where it would have been without the Thermal Screen®!

Where are Thermal Screens® manufactured?

Green Mountain Window opened a new division in Claremont, NH in late 2023, exclusively dedicated to building Thermal Screens® and other screen products. All other window production remains in our Rutland, VT factory.

Green Mountain Window & Door Co.