How to Make Historical Buildings Energy-Efficient
Old-fashioned stone architecture and aged window fittings mean only one thing: draughts. Draughts and cracks lead to the unnecessary loss of heat and energy from your building, meaning you’ll be met with a sizeable bill at the end of the month! So, how do we combat this and make historical buildings more energy-efficient?
Aluminium Windows
Aluminium is a strong and durable material that can withstand weather damage and other hazardous conditions. The aluminium windows that The Heritage Window Company provides are a strong replacement for traditional steel windows that are often used in conservation projects. They will maintain the original charm of the building’s aesthetic as well as strengthening the building’s exterior.
Another benefit of aluminium is that it has excellent thermal properties, meaning your windows will conserve and conduct energy much more than steel windows. This is an advance in window fabrication and technology that prevents soaring energy bills and long-term costs associated with replacing old, less durable windows and window frames.
Double Glazing
At The Heritage Window Company, we offer doubled-glazed windows that work to create an insulating barrier that keeps heat in. Our windows are designed to fit into the building’s existing timber or metal frames, and can be personalised with ironmongery, leading, hinges, and handles to suit the period. Our double-glazed windows have proven results regarding thermal energy and noise pollution reduction – giving your historical building the potential to become a warmer, more tranquil, and more cost-effective environment.
Our experienced craftsmen offer you a bespoke service alongside fitting your double-glazed aluminium windows that have unrivalled thermal performance. We can work closely alongside your conversation team and architects to ensure the original charm of the historical or listed building is maintained, while its energy efficiency is drastically improved.
Insulation
Once double glazing has been installed your historical building will be running in a more cost-effective and environmentally-friendly manner. However, there are still more things you can do to increase efficiency and reduce your energy bill in the longer term. Older buildings tend to house lots of fireplaces and chimneys – so why not insulate them too?
Many conservationists and architects have concerns about the effect insulating a historical building may have on the property’s character and its original aesthetics. But fear not, with the correct guidance and research you can effectively insulate your timber-framed and solid walls to minimise the risk of damage or change to the building’s exterior. All you need to do is ensure you have the correct planning permission to carry out any construction work on your listed or historical building.
The conservation of historical buildings is heavily associated with the long-term preservation of the past and, as an important part of this, we believe that you should always look toward taking steps to increase energy efficiency. Insulating the building, replacing steel and PVC windows with aluminium alternatives and ensuring your windows have double glazing are three effective ways of investing in the conservation of energy-efficient historical buildings.