20May.
1460

How to Insulate Conservatories for Winter

Posted by: Glenn Creswell Categories: Conservatories Essex
How to Insulate Conservatories for Winter

With energy prices on the rise, your conservatory must get insulated and ready for the winter. There are many ways of insulating your conservatory at Oakland, which will save you money in the long run. Read on to find out more.

Even though conservatories look stunning, older conservatories don’t insulate heat very well, leading to a colder living space deemed unusable. Most older builds are made of glass, which is naturally a poor heat and sound insulator. If you have invested in a conservatory, you’ll want to transform it into a functional space.

Lean To Conservatories Ongar Chelmsford 

 One of the things you can do is replace the conservatory roof and add a new one. This is a popular and efficient way of insulating your home without losing the room’s character. A new conservatory roof will help regulate the temperature in your home, which will save you plenty of money on your heating bills. You won’t need to use the central heating or the thermostat, therefore reducing your carbon footprint and saving the environment in the process.

Additionally, if you put a robust barrier on your roof, keeping heat inside is another way. If you retain natural heat but aren’t getting any light; then, a glass roof will give you the best of both worlds, resulting in an inviting space.

Victorian Conservatories Broomfield

You might even have a polycarbonate roof on your conservatory. This is a poor insulator of heat because older models have a thin layer, which doesn’t absorb heat. If you upgrade it to a thicker layer, you can keep more heat in the room. Polycarbonate is a very easy material to install, and it has a lifespan of around 10 years, so it could be a worthy investment in the long run.

If you want to keep the garden feel of your conservatory, there are other ways that it can be insulated during the colder months. For instance, you can go for a solar control film which you can put on the thin windows of your conservatory. The film is very useful because it radiates heat to be kept on your property, and you can feel more private in the long run. As a result, you will benefit from a useful addition to your conservatory.

There are other ways that you can insulate your conservatory. This is through infrared heating, which will heat your objects in the room, making them much warmer. This will ensure that you don’t have to worry about cold floors, saving you money on your heating bills. Another way to make your conservatory is simply by getting a rug. Rugs, especially ones with a higher stitch count, will give your conservatory better insulation. A wool rug is traditionally warm, so you can feel confident that it will make you want to spend time in your new living space.

Double Glazed Conservatories Doddinghurst

You can also insulate your roof because it is a valuable way of escaping. And what’s more, there are a lot of different choices that you can choose from, including uPVC and aluminium foils. This will keep your home warmer all year round, which will make the space more comfortable for you and your family. Insulating the windows is another way of keeping the space warmer in the winter. This can be done with double or triple glazing, creating a robust thermal barrier that keeps natural heat indoors and cold air out. Additionally, with airtight seals, you can stop cold air and water from seeping in. What’s more, you can even add tape or film to trap heat indoors, which will make your home much warmer.

When the weather gets colder in the winter, you will suffer from draughts and condensation. These issues can lead to mould spots and condensation, resulting in your home being unattractive in the long run. As a result, you can ensure your conservatories will be much warmer for you and your family.

One alternative to insulating your home is to use electric radiators instead. This is because it can convert natural energy into heat, making it efficient and saving you plenty of money on your energy bills. The radiators themselves look very stylish and attractive as well.

We hope you found this article helpful, with plenty of ways to insulate your heating. If you want to find out more or ask us any questions, you can either fill in our online contact form or call us on 01277 365 988. Our friendly team will be very happy to help assist you with any questions you might have.   

 

 

 

 

Tags: Conservatories, how to insulate your conservatory this winter
20May.
1794

How to Keep Cold Air from Coming Through Windows

Posted by: Glenn Creswell Categories: Secondary Glazing
How to Keep Cold Air from Coming Through Windows

At Oakland, we understand that poorly insulated windows are a big problem in your home. This is because they can cause problems such as mould, draughts, and condensation. It is a problem in winter because your home’s temperature will change quite dramatically.

Thankfully, there are several different ways to improve your home, and we are here to help you. Some of them are easy enough, so you can try them out for yourself. However, there are others, such as secondary glazing, which could require special installation. We will give you a list of the things you can include. Read on to find out more!

Insulating Curtains

You might not think it, but thermally insulated curtains are a great way of preventing draughts in your home. As a strong layer of insulation, they can help block out sunlight thanks to their thermally efficient nature. Thicker curtains are better for controlling air movement while also blocking out sunlight easier. You can even customise them to have a different colour scheme because it adds to the visual aesthetic of your room and will also help increase your home’s value. Potential buyers will be wowed by these curtains’ ability to keep your home insulated and warm, blocking out the cold air in the process. This gives your home a sleek and attractive look.

Window Insulation Film

Another method you can try out yourself is installing a plastic window insulation film. These warm sheets will block out the cold air easily. Putting the film on is a simple process because all you have to place the sheet on the window’s inner frame, and the warm material blocks out the cold air.

uPVC Window Cost Roxwell

Draught Snakes

You can also install draught snakes yourself. They are very easy to install because they are dry fabric tubes that can be stuffed with a filler such as dried rice, that can warm your home from cold air. This will be perfect for insulating your home because you can stop cold draughts from coming in, leaving your home warm and comfortable. This also has other benefits, such as being very easy and cheap to construct, and you can be very creative with them. For instance, you can choose plenty of colours for them, adding a splash of personality to your window.

Secondary Glazing

Secondary Glazing Essex

You can also install an extra panel of secondary glazing in your window. Secondary Glazing consists of an extra panel that can be fitted on an existing panel. It is robust, making it a permanent solution that helps keep your home warmer for many years to come. It is a versatile option that can be fitted on both modern and heritage properties. You don’t even have to worry about it as you keep your home warm from cold spots, including condensation and mould. These can be extremely problematic for your home because they can lead to health problems in the future.

Secondary glazing is a very good option because you can benefit from controlled ventilation in your property. This means you choose how much air you want to let into your home. This is thanks to secondary glazing having ventilation vents that don’t let any moisture in your home. This means you can choose how warm your home is while not worrying about moisture building up too much.

Window Insulation Tape

You can also get some cheap foam tape, which will help stop draughts and cold air from coming in. It is not a permanent solution for removing cold air from your windows; however, if you are looking for a quick and simple way, the insulation tape is an ideal option.

Caulking the Windows Shut

If you don’t want cold air to come through your windows, then caulking the windows shut is another option. You can do this by applying the caulk across the joints of the windows, and they will block out any damaged areas of your window frame. This is a flexible way of not letting cold air into your home.

As you can see, there are so many ways of making your home feel warmer. If you want to find out more, you can call our friendly team on 01277 365988 or even fill in our online contact form.

Tags: How to stop cold air from coming through your windows, oakland home improvements
23Feb.
2133

Double Glazing vs Secondary Glazing to Prevent Condensation

Posted by: Glenn Creswell Categories: Double Glazing Ongar

tilt and turn windows

Even with modern innovations in window technology, condensation continues to be a problem in homes across the country. The mild and humid climate we have here in the UK can often make condensation appear inevitable and can cause some worry when those little droplets start appearing on the windows regularly.

Condensation happens when the water vapours in the air come into contact with a lower temperature surface and leave droplets of water on the surface behind. Single glazed windows are the most prone to condensation as they don’t retain heat well, often becoming as cold as the air temperature outside. Problems can arise down the line as excessive condensation can lead to build-ups of black mould, which can harm the house’s occupant.

Double glazed and secondary glazed windows offer higher protection levels from condensation than single glazing but do so in different ways. A double glazed window has two panes of glass with a space between them. This space can be a vacuum or filled with a gas such as Argon. This space stops heat transfer between the two panes of glass from your house to the outside. On the other hand, secondary glazing involves installing a layer of glass on the inside of a single glazed window. The glass layer protects against the cold and keeps the heat from coming directly into contact with the pane of glass touching the cold air outside.

Both double glazing and secondary glazing offer adequate protection from condensation but determining which is better can be tricky.

Double Glazed Windows and Condensation Prevention

Double glazed windows tend to be considered the best option for insulating heat in your home. Most can cut down heat loss by 40-50%, with some even reaching as high as 65% if the gap between the two panes is filled with a thermally insulating gas. The resulting temperature of the inner pane compared to the outer pane is much higher. As a result, the water vapour in your house is not likely to deposit onto the inner pane of the window because the surface temperature is not lower than the air in your home. Compared to a single glazed window, the single pane is in contact with both the cold air outside and the warm air in your home. Any water vapour in the air in your home will come into contact with the cold surface of the single pane of glass and will deposit droplets through condensation. Therefore, water droplets are less likely to appear by having a warmer inner pane.

However, there are several key issues with double glazing that can make it an invalid option for preventing condensation. Firstly, if you don’t already have double glazed windows in your building, it can be incredibly difficult to have them installed as they require an entirely new unit to be built to house them. Furthermore, this can be a costly process that can take some time, especially if the occupant has to acquire certain permissions to change certain property elements. Finally, condensation can still occur on double glazed windows if poorly ventilated the building. Humans (and pets!) breathe out moisture throughout the day, and in spaces with little ventilation, particularly smaller ones, windows can appear to be steaming up. Water droplets can form from this steam, and condensation is happening regardless of how warm it is within the building.

Secondary Glazed Windows and Preventing Condensation

casement windows prices

Secondary glazing goes a long way to answering these key issues. As a fitting rather than a new installation, secondary glazing allows the occupant to retain the aesthetic of their home and not have to acquire permissions if their home requires it. In addition, secondary glazing can be fitted quickly and easily, circumventing the practical issues of installing double glazing cost-effectively. Secondary glazing provides adequate heat insulation for homes with single glazed windows installed. However, the main benefit of secondary glazing compared to double glazing is the level of ventilation for the property that isn’t achievable through double glazing. Ventilation is one of the most effective ways of preventing condensation because it allows the water vapour in the building to disperse outside. We are all breathing moisture into the air, and it helps to give that moisture somewhere to go instead of becoming trapped in the property with us.

Whilst double-glazing does cut down heat loss significantly, its lack of ventilation can hinder it from preventing condensation. As a cheaper and often more practical alternative, secondary glazing offers good levels of insulation, coupled with good levels of ventilation that go a long way to preventing condensation. Therefore, whilst both types of windows are excellent at reducing and preventing condensation, secondary glazing tends to win out when comparing the two.

If you’re interested in Oakland Home Improvements secondary glazing you can get in touch with our online form or you can check our double glazing quote engine and see how much your new window could cost today.

Tags: condensation, double glazing, preventing condensation, prevention, secondary glazing, secondary glazing vs double glazing, windows
27Jan.
1547

Can I Install Secondary Glazing in a Listed Building?

Posted by: Glenn Creswell Categories: Secondary Glazing
Can I Install Secondary Glazing in a Listed Building?

Can I install secondary glazing in a listed building? The short answer is yes. If you live in a listed building, getting new windows can be a nightmare. It’s because, when you’re lucky enough to live in a building that’s known for its beauty or its history, it’s more difficult to change the design. However, that often means that people who live in listed buildings have to put up with windows, doors and more that leave them cold and uncomfortable.

But what if there was another way to make your listed building better? Instead of replacing the windows with new designs, potentially sacrificing the classic style of the property, you can protect those windows with secondary glazing. Secondary glazing is best thought of as a brand-new window for your old one; it covers the top of the window, effectively creating a whole new system. When combined with the old window, you effectively get double or triple glazing for your home, improving its insulation.

Because of this, it’s incredibly useful to install secondary glazing in a listed building. You’ll be able to get better insulation and security, and the new secondary glazing will protect the old window in your home from wind and rain, meaning it also lasts longer. And, because secondary glazing is made-to-measure to keep the look of your old windows, it’s more likely to be approved for a listed building. At Oakland Home Improvements, we can help you fit secondary glazing in your home in Essex and the surrounding areas today.

Secondary Glazing

Why Should You Install Secondary Glazing in a Listed Building?

Firstly, secondary glazing in a listed building can protect the character of your home. Often, new windows are too modern to fit in a classic home, with materials like uPVC and aluminium offering a sleek look that doesn’t go hand-in-hand with an old-school property. However, secondary glazing blends in with your classic windows, meaning you lose none of your current home’s style. As a result, secondary glazing works well in a listed building because it’s difficult to see!

However, secondary glazing is much easier to feel when sitting at home. It’s because secondary glazing doesn’t only preserve the look of your old windows but works to fix many of the issues that come with them. For example, secondary glazing can add another layer of protection from the elements, covering any gaps in your old windows that may have emerged from weather exposure. Because of this, you’re less likely to worry about draughts, damp spots and condensation affecting your home.

Secondary glazing can even make your home more comfortable. By installing this additional layer of glazing, you can reduce the amount of noise you hear from outside your home by up to 80%, meaning you can make the sound of traffic turn into a whisper. Not only that, secondary glazing makes your home more thermally efficient, saving you money against triple glazing while keeping the charm of your classic windows. You can save thousands of pounds on your energy bills over time!

secondary glazing in a listed building

Benefits of Secondary Glazing in a Listed Building

Fully Bespoke – At Oakland, we can help you create fully bespoke secondary glazing to fit any window perfectly. You can customise every aspect of the design to ensure you get the right option, including the window’s colours, finishes, and style. No matter what you need, we can make sure you get new made-to-measure secondary glazing to suit you. Not only that, Oakland’s friendly team of local installers will provide a service as personalised as your new secondary glazing will be.

Easy to Install – Secondary glazing is much easier to install in a listed building than new windows. When you fit new windows, you have to go through the hassle of taking the old windows out before you can even get started, and older windows are usually more complex to remove. On the other hand, secondary glazing goes over the top of your windows. As a result, the process takes less time and is quicker and smoother for your installers, meaning less stress and fuss for you and your family.

Likely Approval – When you install secondary glazing in a listed building, you’re much more likely to get approval for the design. Instead of replacing your old windows, you’ll be preserving what makes your home valuable. Not only that, you’ll probably have a much easier time during consultations with planning authorities, heritage organisations and even your neighbours by installing secondary glazing. So, not only will secondary glazing save money, but you’ll also save stress by installing it inside your home.

secondary glazing in a listed building prices

Secondary Glazing for Listed Buildings Prices

At Oakland Home Improvements, we make it easy to install secondary glazing in a listed building in Essex. All you have to do is get in touch using our online form to let us know your requirements, and we can begin to plan your new installation. And, if you’d like to see how much our double glazing could cost, you can use our online quoting engine today. It takes minutes to use, meaning you can get a personalised price for secondary glazing sooner than you think!

Tags: bespoke secondary glazing, Can I Install Secondary Glazing In A Listed Building, secondary glazing, secondary glazing in a listed building