Listed buildings can be absolutely gorgeous, but if they
don’t have enough insulation or protective coverings on the windows, they are
going to be very difficult to maintain. Older buildings present unique
challenges as it is and when you have old glass in the windows, they can be
particularly difficult to work with.
Older glass is rarely up to today’s standards. It may be in
small pieces for leaded lights, or it could be in large sheets that have run
over time and tend to be thicker at the bottom than at the top. These
variations can result in the windows being more delicate than today’s panes.
They are also less likely to keep out the cold and heat and the window frames
are often poorly fitted.
When choosing a home, you should be aware of any issues with
repairing it. If the place is a listed property, you will have your work cut
out for you. However, it can also be very rewarding to work with a historical
building and restore it to its natural beauty.
What Is a Listed Building?
Before we look at window repair and glazing in listed
buildings, what is considered a listed building?
Listed structures are buildings that have been added to a
list by one of the historic agencies in the UK. These are Historic England,
Historic Environment Scotland, Cadw (Wales), and Northern Ireland Environment
Agency. These agencies keep track of older buildings and structures that may
have historical value and provide important cultural and architectural clues to
the past.
Once a building has been added to the list, you need special
permission in order to make any alterations or add-ons to the building. This
includes many of the standard changes you would make to a building.
Unfortunately, some listed buildings are in need of changes
and cannot be altered substantially. The permissions may not be granted if you
want to change the way the building looks. Often, there are specific rules
about how much different the home may look when you’re finished.
In many cases, the permission granted is to make specific
repairs that will not affect the look of the building. You may even be required
to use specific materials or even older style techniques to avoid changing the
base look of the structure. It can be frustrating if you actually live in one
of these older homes, since they can be quite draughty and difficult to heat or
cool.
Fortunately, there are solutions to this issue. If you find
that the cold is coming in all the time, you can opt for secondary glazing, or
adding another window inside the existing one.
Windows and Doors: Alternatives to Replacement
Windows and doors are two of the areas that most frequently
need updating
in older or historical buildings. The
ones made back then were simply not up to today’s standards. However, if you
have to stay within the historical design, what can you do to prevent changing
things too much?
The simplest method is secondary glazing. This refers to
adding another window inside the existing window. From the outside, it will
look the same, but you’ll get the added benefits of the most recent window
technology.
Secondary glazing allows you to install a custom fitted
window frame to the inside of your existing windows and it can be used in any
style of window, as well as those set into doors.
The Benefits of Secondary Glazing in Replacement Windows
First, you will find that if you have a listed building,
it’s far easier to get permission to add a secondary glazing than to replace
the existing window with something brand new. Even if you’re permitted to
replace the window, you may be limited in what materials you can use. If you
need to do any kind of window repair, you can repair just the section that is
broken or cracked.
There are a number of benefits that you’ll experience when
you install secondary glazing. These include:
Increased security
.
The double layer of windows
will help prevent
burglary since it adds an extra layer of protection. Many listed homes don’t
have secure windows, due to the fact that they are so old. This is particularly
true of leaded lights, which can be found in many older homes.
When installing secondary replacement windows, be sure to
choose the types that are best suited to security. Depending on the window
type, you may even be able to use security windows in place of adding bars in
areas where your windows are vulnerable. Just be sure that you’re getting
windows that are certified for security.
Block noise.
Do
you have a busy road near your home? If you find that there is too much noise
filtering through your old-fashioned windows, then secondary glazing may be the
ideal answer. The windows can reduce the sound that enters your home by up to
50-60%.
The trick is to include a gap that is roughly 100 mm between
the main window and the secondary glazing. This gives an air cushion between
the pieces of glass that can help muffle sounds. The end result will depend on
how well built the inner window frame is.
Reduce heating and
cooling costs
. It can be expensive to heat or cool an older home and listed
buildings are frequently very expensive. This is due to the fact that they were
built before modern methods of insulating the house were designed. Some people
find that it helps to add insulation to the roof, but a lot of your cold air
will come in around windows and doors. You will need to seal these off to
prevent draughts.
The other issue is the cold or heat passing through old
glass. The older windows are not meant to insulate and they offer very little
protection against temperature changes. Secondary glazing provides a better
barrier against the cold or heat seeping through the glass. The space between
the two windows will also provide extra insulation. This results in reducing
the cost of heating and cooling the home.
Reduce dust.
Do
you find that your home is constantly dusty? This can happen if you live near a
dirt road or fields and it gets too dry out. The dust filters in around the
windows and doors of your historical home and settles exactly where it’s not
wanted.
To prevent this, you need to seal around your windows and
doors. However, there are often spaces that allow the dust to penetrate your
home anyway. Adding a second window allows you to fit the window frame securely
to prevent any foreign objects from getting in.
Lower condensation.
If you find that your home tends to have quite a lot of condensation forming
inside, you can probably blame your windows. Moisture can get caught in older
homes and it can help form mould and cause other issues throughout the home,
including damage to wood and wallpaper.
Most condensation occurs when the outer window becomes too
cold. This causes moisture in the air to condense on the window. It then
trickles down and ruins the wall and floor. Adding secondary glazing allows you
to install a window that allows moisture to escape and provides correct
ventilation. When the secondary window doesn’t become cold, it also helps
prevent moisture from condensing and causing more damage.
As you can see, there are plenty of reasons to use secondary
glazing in your historical home or building. It’s necessary to check with the
local council to ensure it is permitted, but most will allow this type of
improvement.
Where to Find Secondary Glazing
It’s very important to choose the right company to install
your secondary windows. The reason for this is that they need to be installed
correctly. Older homes tend not to have standard measurements, which means each
window must be measured and a proper frame build for it. These window frames
have to be fitted just so in order to prevent heat, cold, dust, and air from
getting into the home.
You can find quality glass companies by looking for one that
has experience working with historical buildings. They will know exactly what
challenges are faced in fitting these windows and will be able to help you
upgrade in accordance to the council rules. In fact, a company that knows what
it’s doing will probably already know what is required and permitted.
Do you need secondary windows in your listed property? Contact
Grassmoor Glass today
to get a quote for your project.
