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WINDOW DRAUGHT PROOFING 101

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WINDOW DRAUGHT PROOFING IN SYDNEY: UNCOVERING WHERE THE DRAUGHTS ARE COMING FROM

The cold air may be entering your home at dozens or even hundreds of different spots, the majority of which are too small to be seen without looking very closely. This is because the size, condition, and materials used to build your home all play a role in this possibility. It’s not that there’s something wrong with the house you’re living in. It’s just the natural progression of things throughout time. But it doesn’t mean you can’t do something about this anymore, with window draught proofing solutions, you can still save your window without sacrificing its design and a huge amount of money.

This is a problem that is most prevalent with casement windows, which, as a result, leave a larger space around the edge of your windows where they open outward. This space is referred to as the leading edge of your window. The passage of time, exposure to the environment, and general deterioration will cause the frame to develop minor cracks throughout its lifetime. Additionally, spaces around the sill, hinges and other components of your windows provide it with the ability to move and work correctly.

Drafts can enter your home through your doors if they aren’t properly sealed. In the same way that you have issues with your windows, you end up with an increasing number of issues as the building shifts over time and the timber or other components age, crack and become brittle. You don’t have to accept this as a fact of life; there are other options. You can live in a more comfortable home while also reducing your heating and cooling costs if you take preventative measures to improve the insulation in your house by window draught proofing services.

window draught proofing

TIMBER WINDOWS DRAUGHT PROOFING SERVICES: HOW BIG OF A DIFFERENCE WILL IT MAKE?

If several windows in your home are allowing hot air to escape and allowing cold air to enter, you will be paying more for your heating than you need to. Even though the occasional draft through a window might not seem like a pressing problem, it can add up to a significant amount of money over time.

If you notice that the air is chillier near your windows and/or if you can feel a draught, then a window draught proofing solution is something that you should consider doing.

Examining the spaces between the window and its frame, the caulk on the exterior of the window frame, and the spaces around locks or catches will help you determine which of your windows require draught-proofing.

Once you’ve determined which areas of the window need window draught proofing service, you can go to work on fixing them.

Windows made of traditional materials like wood and metal are virtually always capable of being repaired at a cost that is typically substantially lower than that of replacement. Original windows that have been repaired retain their historic and aesthetic significance, something that cannot be said about replacement windows.

HOW DOES WINDOW DRAUGHT PROOFING WORK?

Original sash and casement windows add a touch of antiquity to a home, but they are notorious for causing draughts and wobbles, especially in windy conditions. Using secondary glazing, you can keep cold air from leaking through your windows. Secondary glazing Sydney protects against the infiltration of cold air through windows while also providing the additional benefit of enhancing thermal efficiency by lowering heat loss.

Draughty windows can make it difficult to keep your house warm in the winter, especially if you’re attempting to keep it warm. Even if the window is not structurally compromised, having insufficient seals can allow enough cold air to enter to have an impact on the temperature inside the building. So, what can we do to deter cold air from penetrating our homes through windows?

Here’s where our handy window draught proofing 101 takes over.

window draught proofing

1. WEATHER STRIPS

Weather strips are another low-cost and basic method of window draught proofing solutions, and keeping the cold out of your windows and doors. Most hardware stores carry self-adhesive strips in various sizes and shapes. They are available in three different types: compression, V-type, and foam. Foam strips are the most convenient of the three to use, and they also endure for the longest period of time. Simply place them along the window frames to prevent cold air from entering your home through your windows and window frames.

This procedure is straightforward and highly successful. The strips, on the other hand, do not provide a long-term answer. When you pull them off, you run the danger of either peeling off the paint or leaving the residue of the adhesive behind on the frame, which is undesirable.

2. CURTAIN INSULATION

Many people forget that curtains may be used for window draught proofing in addition to providing privacy. Thick curtains, on the other hand, can provide an extremely effective layer of insulation. They are equally effective at blocking out excessive sunlight as they are at preventing cold air from entering through windows. If your curtains are thick enough, they might help to keep the air moving within your home. Your room’s visual attractiveness can be enhanced by matching the colour of your curtains to the colour scheme in the space.

As a result, this approach of insulating your room actually contributes to the improvement of the appearance of your home. If you want natural light to enter your room, hefty curtains are not the best option to use. However, they are the simplest approach to covering windows to keep cold air out, especially considering that you would have curtains in your home normally, making them an excellent physical cold air blocker for windows in your home.

3. SECONDARY GLAZING

Secondary glazing is one of the most efficient methods of preventing cold air from entering your home through your windows. It provides a long-term solution that is also equally visually appealing. It has a broad array of applications. In fact, secondary glazing can be employed in both new construction and historic buildings. Because it can be installed on the inside without altering the outer appearance, it is a decent approach.

Typically, secondary glazing provides regulated ventilation, which is one of its most favourable aspects. The risk of allowing humidity to build up inside your home increases when your windows are well sealed. Because of the high humidity, dampness and condensation might occur, which can lead to the development of mildew. Secondary glazing Sydney is equipped with air vents, which prevent moisture from accumulating inside the unit. As a result, you will have a warmer space without the risk of excessive moisture buildup in the air. Secondary glazing is a fantastic option for covering windows to keep the cold out since it allows for excellent airflow to be maintained.

4. DRAUGHT SNAKES

The use of draught snakes is another inexpensive approach to window draught proofing your home. These are just cloth tubes that have been stuffed with a filler, such as dried rice, in order to keep them from flopping around. These are simple to create at home. These can then be placed on the window sill to block off any draughts that may be coming in through the windows. These snakes are excellent for preventing cold air from entering the house.

Furthermore, they are inexpensive and simple to produce, which is especially advantageous because you can use them to add a decorative element or a colour accent to your area. The sole disadvantage of draught snakes is that they may only be used at the base of the window, which limits their application. As a result, if the draught is coming in through the sides or the frame, these will be completely ineffective at preventing it. However, they are an efficient method of keeping cold air from entering your home through the bottom of your window.

5. WINDOW INSULATION FILM

Window insulation films are thin sheets of plastic that shrink when heated to a specific temperature. Fortunately, these are widely available. You just glue the sheet to the inside of the window’s frame with double-sided tape. Then you may use a hairdryer to heat it up, which will cause it to shrink and adhere to the surface more tightly.

This is an excellent method for window draught proofing your windows and keeping cold air out. It is possible to observe the insulation film because it generates a hazy layer over the glazing, and the insulation film is extremely obvious. As a result, you may want a more discrete or aesthetically beautiful method of blocking cold air from entering your home through your windows.

A GUIDE ON DRAUGHT PROOFING SASH WINDOWS

You may also be interested in knowing how draught proofing sash windows can be accomplished.

In order to prevent drafts from entering the home through sash windows, it is necessary to seal up the spaces around the sashes, such as the area above the windowsill and the middle rail. Some homeowners of rental properties accomplish this by using foam tape that adheres to itself. However, achieving a tight and even seal around the sashes can be an incredibly challenging task. When the windows are opened, the weather stripping and other outside seals frequently come off.

When it comes to sash window seals, the most effective strategy is to utilize the appropriate dimensions and kind of draught excluder for the various areas of the window. Rubber draught seals are the standard option utilized due to the superior performance they provide. It will prevent drafts from entering your home while simultaneously enhancing the acoustic performance of your windows.

timber window rot repairs Sydney
timber window rot repairs Sydney

During the process of retrofitting the windows and installing double glazing, we always ensure that draught seals are installed before reinstalling the sashes. Due to the fact that the sashes are already lowered, we can check that the woodwork is completely even and machine the rubber seals straight into the window.

However, if you have sash windows, you will frequently find that the areas along the central rail and down the sides are more congested. A brush seal functions admirably in certain locations when it is possible to achieve zero compression. You can make use of a mohair brush that has a fin seal attached to it. This brush crushes the fin seal down to nearly nothing.

When you seal a sash using this method, you prevent the passage of as much air as is physically possible. However, you won’t have any trouble slipping open your windows.

Thinking of acquiring window draught proofing in your space? Heritage Windows Specialists has got you covered! Our more than 10 years of experience in the window draught proofing industry has made us experts in window draught proofing and repairing common issues of traditional timber windows. Our window frames for draught proofing service has enabled many home and building owners to enjoy an important home improvement without having the need to replace existing glass.

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