Improving Heat Insulation at Home

BoracicLint

Morning All,

I recently bought my first home, a victorian 3 bed terrace. The house has double glazing throughout except for in the lounge, which has the original but refurbished single glazed sash windows. I love the character that the window brings to the house, but unfortunately it is ridiculously cold and is only going to get colder.

I have the heating set on a timer, yet the thermostat is in a much better insulated room, so the heating is just not getting this room up to temperature.

I have been thinking about ways to insulate the window, from thick, lined curtains (currently only have blinds), to this cling-film like product I've seen which you apply as a temporary solution.

Does anyone have any tips or advice on either of these suggestions, or any other ideas to help insulate the window?

Thanks in advance.

Owain_Moneysaver

As you own the house it would probably be worthwhile installing proper secondary double glazing - there are a variety of fit-it-yourself systems.

In the meantime the clingfilm type is surprisingly effective.

BigAlC

As above, it is suprisingly cheap (considering how much you could waste on temporary measures) to get a new fully double glazed window installed.

Sash windows can be made quite simply from wood, or pvc frames and fitted with a double glazed unit. A colleague of mine had his front sash window replaced for ~£250, this included all work concerned removing, tidying, and fitting. Oh and also disposal. Go for a local firm to get a better product as well.

As it is YOUR home now, it pays to invest a bit in it in the long run.

BoracicLint

Thanks both. I've made a few appointments with some firms to give me a quote to replace the sash window with double glazed units. Hopefully it's not too expensive...this is my preffered option but money is tight, buying the house pretty much wiped me out!

macman

Do you have the full 270mm of insulation in the loft? That's the one to start with, since you can't have CWI.

BoracicLint

Update:

I had SafeStyle come round at the weekend to quote me for replacing the sash window and the front door...

After listening to his pitch for nearly an hour, he finally got his tape measure out and quoted me £3200!?

Needless to say I told him where to go, and he immediately dropped the price to £2100! I want my hour back!! I think I'll skip the big boys and try a local company...I'd be interested to know who managed to get their sash window replaced for £250??

Bearing in mind that £3200 was quoted as the cheapest option, white PVC, when in truth I wanted to maintain the aesthetics of the timber frame...this would have been more like £5k incidentally!