Insulating Windows for Energy Efficiency & Comfort | Glaze & Save

Insulating your windows is one of the quickest ways to ensure you achieve energy efficiency and comfort throughout your home, particularly if you have draughty sash and case windows, or glazing installed prior to 2003 which has little to no added thermal performance capabilities.

Not only are you likely to achieve a more comfortable home as you reduce heat loss through your windows with fewer draughts and cold spots, you’re also likely to enjoy a greater degree of peace and quiet, as your insulation measures decrease outside noise. Certain measure will also reduce the build-up of condensation inside your windows.

There are several ways that you can effectively insulate your windows which we’ll look at in this blog.

Draught proofing

Draught proofing the gaps and otherwise exposed areas around your windows is an obvious way to improve the insulation of your windows; however, the benefit that you feel from draught proofing is the reduction of air flow, rather than any increase in thermal efficiency or retention of heat. Still, draught proofing is an essential aspect of the window insulation process. There are many ways you can go about this.

There is a vast array of weather-stripping, beading, and draught excluding brush options available that come in a variety of different sizes, styles and compressions. Indeed, these solutions have often been the preferred method for draught proofing windows. However, as you can imagine, they have varying degrees of success in their application and draught proofing abilities. The beads, strips, etc are at risk of coming unstuck if they are poorly glued into place; draught proofing brushes often requires channels to be mitred out of the window frame itself, ultimately weakening the frame. This can very much be a process of trial and error, although we would always urge caution when considering measures that involve irreparable damage to your window frame.

Glaze & Save offer a flexible rubberised silicone liquid draught excluder called InvisiSeal™. InvisiSeal™ is an innovative draught proofing product in that it creates a permanent seal around windows and doors without the need for mitring out frames, or affixing or gluing anything to the windows themselves. It really can make all the difference in insulating your windows while remaining completely non-invasive.

Secondary Glazing

Secondary glazing traditionally gave great noise and draught reduction benefits, with some effect on thermal comfort. However, for a long time the only secondary glazing products on the market where those that threatened to compromise the aesthetics of traditional window aspects. It tended to consist of bulky metal frames with heavy glass units which were difficult to move and clean, as well as posing safety issues. It’s no wonder secondary glazing had such a bad name!

InvisiTherm™ from Glaze & Save is a unique polycarbonate magnetic secondary glazing product that is discrete and almost completely invisible both inside and out. This innovative polycarbonate magnetic secondary glazing turns your single glaze windows into double glazing without replacement or redecoration; saving energy, reducing noise, and saving you money with a compelling payback time. Our invisible magnetic secondary glazing system has many benefits over traditional secondary and double glazing, including reduction in heat loss, reduction in noise pollution and no need for any permissions.

We are passionate about maintaining your original windows and appreciate the beauty and historical value of unique and older buildings; we are therefore approved to install in listed buildings and conservation areas without the need for any planning permissions.

Curtains, Blinds & Shutters

Of course, sometimes some of the best ways to increase the insulation and thermal comfort of your windows is to invest in a set of insulating blinds, thick heavy curtains or shutters. Using shutters can give single glazed windows the same level of thermal efficiency as double glazing. While draught proofing and secondary glazing measures can give permanent and exceptional levels of comfort and insulation, adding a thick, well lined pair of curtains into the mix can only give greater benefit to the energy efficiency and thermal comfort of your home.