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Sash window draught proofing and insulation

How to stop condensation building up on your single glazed sash windows

Posted on 09 February 2013 12:58
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Windows and Doors answers your condensation question
What causes condensation on windows? Is it a sign of a faulty window? Condensation is actually a sign that windows and doors are doing their job. While it can be frustrating to look through a foggy wi...
If you have a home with the original period single glazed wood windows with modern heating systems combined with freezing temperatures outside it is going to be virtually impossible to eliminate condensation from occurring on the interior glass surfaces.
 
Condensation build up can and does cause wooden windows to rot from the inside out. The interior mouldings of your windows were never designed for water to run off and away like the exterior design allows for. Water from condensation tends to just sit there, eventually lifting up the surface paint and rotting the exposed timber underneath.
 
 
You may be considering draught proofing your sash windows but this could actually make the condensation problem worse still!
 
If you insulate the windows in your home you will have evenless air circulation than before and the condensation problem you may have had before could become far more intense.
Although you will obviously feel warmer by having your old sash windows draught striped it isn’t necessarily a cure for the condensation.
 
 
"Of course you are probably expecting me to start trying to convince you into replacing your windows with double glazed wooden windows, this is The Wooden Window Workshop’sline of business after all isn’t it?
 
Well you will be pleasantly surprised to hear that I am notgoing to harp on “too” much about double glazed windows.
 
The truth is though, by upgrading to double glazed sash windows you will obviously be making a great step forward in the prevention of condensation.
 
Let’s just imagine just for one minute however that you cannot afford to replace your windows.
 
What can you do to prevent or at least reduce condensation from building up on your single glazed wooden windows?
 
One very good system is an electronic dehumidifier, thisw ill help warm the room and also remove moisture from the air. I have seen 4 litres of air born water removed in the course of one night with these machines.
 
Always check the energy efficiency of the dehumidifier as you do not want to receive a massive electric bill at the end of the month. Some machines will auto-turn on when needed and then go into sleep mode when not needed, this type of dehumidifier is the one I would recommend.
 
You can also buy crystals on websites such as http://www.ebay.co.uk/
 
These crystals absorb moisture from the air but we have found that this type of method is really only suitable in very small enclosed areas such as a cupboards or such like.
 
 
Quite a useful resource for information on dehumidifiers canbe found here:
 
 
Secondary glazing will also not prevent condensation and could also make the problem worse. With the secondary glazed panel fitted you will find it very hard to mop up any water that condenses, we would advise against this as well.
 
 
In all reality you have two choices, either the dehumidifier which will work well and cost you about £300 for a high quality low consumption energy efficient model or replacement double glazed sash windows.
 
The cost of the later will be considerably more but you will save some money on you heating bills and also will not have to have adehumidifier working 247
 
 
We wish you all the best in your efforts this winter tocombat your condensation problems and if we can be of any help please do giveus a call.
 
 
We can provide you with many references and The WoodenWindow Workshop reviews on the internet are all extremely good too!
 
Just Google search us and see for your self
 
 
 
Categories: Sash window draught proofing and insulation, Environment
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Home Insulation And Draught Proofing Methods

Posted on 24 May 2012 11:56
As temperatures drop in winter, the warm air escapes through the windows and doors.
You will have to use heating systems that consume lots of energy in order to keep the house warm.
 
Insulating your home will add an extra layer of heat resistant materials that will save you money on your energy bills. Here is detailed guide on home insulation and draught proofing methods for the home.Unwanted draughts and cold air are not pleasant or comfortable. You should think about how to stop draughts that penetrate through the doors, windows, floors, and other areas of the house.
 
Draught proofing is the solution as it combines various methods that are intended to insulate the home.The first step is to find out the areas that are most exposed to draughts. Generally, the entry of cold air or the escaping of warm air occurs near the windows and doors.
 
Once you address these problems, you are on your way to resolving them. If you are still not sure how to stop the cold air from coming in, here are some ideas.For your windows, buy draught-proof strips that stick around the frame and fill the gaps with self adhesive foam.
 
These foams are cheap and easy to use. However, they do not last very long. It is better to use plastic or metal strips with attached wipers. Again these are cheap but they are not long lasting.Measure the frame before buying the strip as it must be the right size to fill the gap. It is too small, there will still be cold air coming in. For sash windows, foam strips are not recommended. Use brush strips or hire a professional to do the task for you.
 
Or you can use a silicon sealant to fill the gaps.The next step is to draught-proof your doors. It will not cost a great deal and you can actually save a lot of heat from escaping through the holes. There are various places that the warm air could escape from, such as the keyhole, mailbox, gaps at the bottom of the door and around the edges.
 
Buy an all-purpose-made cover with a metal disc for the keyhole. Use a flap or brush to fit your mailbox and use a hinged draught excluding flap to cover the gap at the bottom of the door. For the edges of the door, fit wiper strips that are also used for windows.
 
When you feel cold air in some areas of your house, you can be sure that there are small holes or gaps. The loss of heat from your rooms results in the fluctuations in the temperature, thus making you and your family feel uncomfortable during cold winter months.
 
This is why the government has set out new building regulations that ensure all new houses are completely draught proofed.
The tiny cracks around the doors and windows are wide enough to allow up to 20 percent of heat to escape from the house.
 
Therefore, sealing these gaps will help your home retain the warm air inside. Wooden floors should also be draught-proofed by applying fillers in between the gaps.Insulation contractors specialize in identifying draughts in your home and they generally charge the same amount as it would cost you to buy the materials from a DIY store.
 
These specialists use safety equipment and guarantee their work for up to 10 years or even longer. They are licensed and regulated by the state, so you will not have to worry about the quality of the work that is carried out at your property.
 
One way of locating a reputed company is by going online and searching for its website. Read the previous customers' testimonials about the Insulation Company or contractor as it will be worthwhile to hire a licensed person rather than doing the work yourself.
 
Whether you decide to do the draught-proofing yourself, or you hire professional contractors' services, the money you spend is worth the investment, as you will save significantly on your energy bills for many years to come.
Most homes lose around 10 to 20 percent of their heat via draughts and lack of ventilation.
The time invested to seal these gaps will reduce the amount of warm air that escapes.
No homeowner wants to waste money on heating the house when all the warm air is going out through holes and gaps.
 
Hiring professional contractors is a good idea as they will insulate your home properly and they can guarantee their work too.
 
Here is some information about how these companies insulate a house:
 
Cavity wall insulation is one of the most popular methods of insulating external walls.
The thin brick walls are treated by drilling tiny holes into the wall and injecting the insulation materials into it. This method is referred to as "blown in" and is highly advised to be carried out by expert contractors.
Insulating solid walls will save you even more on energy bills per year than brick walls.
 
Home insulation and draught proofing is the loft or attic is another effective method of saving money. The contractors use thick insulating materials of at least 250 mm to lay in the loft area.
This method can be done in DIY, however there are some areas which are difficult to reach and you will need assistance.
By insulating your attic, you will reduce your energy bills and slash one ton of carbon dioxide.Home insulation and draught proofing choices must be taken seriously by every homeowner, especially if you wish to save money on energy bills in the long term.
 
There are numerous insulation methods and materials available and each one has specific advantages. Many contractors specialize in a particular application, such as using fiberglass for attics and walls, or recycled materials that are fluffy for older types of properties.
 
New build properties will benefit more from materials that are sprayed on. This is because these materials are resistant to mold, lighter in weight and have drying time qualities. However, it is best to seek the advice of a reliable company about the most appropriate materials to use in your home.
Categories: Sash window draught proofing and insulation, DIY advice and tips
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The Importance Of Sash Window Draught Proofing

Nathan C: Posted on 08 May 2012 11:35
The Importance Of Window Insulation For All Eco-Friendly Homeowners
  
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The Wooden Window Workshop
London Sash Window Company
 
Sash windows look great when installed in many houses. Apart from being long lasting, good in ventilation and fashionable they have another main advantage, which is, the eco –benefits that are associated with them. Sliding or wood sash window, they are eco- friendly to homeowners. They have been very common recently due to the desire to cut homes carbon footprint and has been proven that anybody who has used this method of window insulation has benefited from lower energy usage, which is beneficial in saving fuel bills. There are various methods to insulate your house; especially during winter, but the one and the most effective solution used to save energy is through window insulation. This has a lot of impact to energy saving as well as it is a kind of green home improvement.

One of the areas that heat is lost is through the windows. It is impossible to stop heat loss from the windows, but it is possible to control by installing sash windows. As eco-friendly is not about saving costs but also keeping warm sash windows are highly recommended even by the Energy Saving Trust (E.S.T).This trust proven that with B rated sash windows can be able to save almost all the heat that is lost by single glazed wooden sash. This rating (B rating) means they are of standard quality, and they can reach high levels of insulation. On the other hand, sash windows are very useful in warm seasons. They can provide efficient cooling method of a house interior. This can be achieved by opening both the bottom and the apex part of the window, which allows an equal amount of warm air to escape a room and in exchange drawing cool air inside the room.

The most commonly used method in insulation is the double glazed sash windows. To get quality double glazed sash windows one can check the ratings by the British Fenestration Council Rating scheme. They test everything before rating it at A-C range which of course is the best range. These high rated then are so eco friendly as they have low-emissive. One side of the plane is coated with metal oxide. This enables both sunlight and heat to come from outside but then restricts the amount of heat escaping to the outside part. They are available in different or have a variety of frames just as the other type of windows.

There are eco friendly benefits associated with sash windows especially the wood ones. They are long lasting and, they do not jade with time. They have durable and have frame strength than the normal standards. They are water resistant and thus avoid any wetness in the house during rainy seasons. Their aesthetic elements make them to patch up with pro-green endeavors. Ability to have a pro natural interior décor is something the home owners can pulsate to. So when it comes to insulating your home every bit counts .Preventing heat loss is which can be avoided by installation of sash windows is encouraged as it is also eco friendly to home owners.
 
 
Categories: Sash window draught proofing and insulation
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