Home Insulation Tips From Home Improvement Experts
No one wants to live in a house that lets in the cold or worse, one where you can feel the drafts. This is especially true for those who live in the north of England, whether you want to have people over or simply relax after a long day.
Although there are many factors at work in insulating your home, windows and doors play a more significant role than you might think. A poorly fitted set of windows or doors can compromise the comfort of the property, no matter how lavish the living spaces.
Not only do high quality fitted windows and doors improve the style of your home, they also help keep it warm no matter what time of year it is. This also serves a practical purpose, as you can save on bills by not having to run the heating as much.
In this post, you’ll find details on the types of windows and doors which are best for insulating homes, information on building energy performance, and the answers to some frequently asked questions surrounding home insulation.
What are the main ways that houses lose heat?
Heat loss can occur in a number of locations throughout the home. By identifying the potential insulation problems, homeowners can devise a targeted strategy to improve the heat retention of their property. Warmth is usually lost from properties in the following ways:
- Insulation. One of the most common causes of heat loss in homes is poor insulation within the building structure. Outward facing walls can become cold without the proper insulation, which causes the surface to sap heat from interior spaces.
- Windows and doors. Whether it’s due to poor insulation, cracks, or poorly executed fittings, windows and doors can be areas of heat leakage. Windows in particular are a common cause of heat loss because glass isn’t an effective insulating material.
- Ceilings and roofs. As heat rises, it naturally escapes through roofs and ceilings which aren’t properly insulated.
- Cracks. Even the smallest diameter cracks can let cold air into your home. Cracks can appear in various places in the structure of a house, including walls, ceilings, windows, and doors. In order to prevent cracks in windows and doors, you can use a professional repair service or get quality items fitted.
- Flooring. Floors in medium and large sized houses often lose heat due to their surface area and direct contact with the ground. This can be more noticeable when there’s a basement below the floor, which tends to be more common in older constructions.
Any one of these factors could be causing rapid loss of heat that puts extra strain on your boiler and central heating, increases energy bills, and leads to discomfort.
What is an Energy Performance Certificate?
With changing weather conditions it can often be difficult to tell just how much heat a property loses. That’s where Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) come in. An EPC is a report on the energy efficiency of a building that’s drawn up by an accredited energy assessor. Energy performance checks typically involve a home insulation survey to inspect areas where heat can escape, as well as insulation levels and electrical systems.
An EPC will give your home a rating from A-G, with A being the most energy efficient and G being the least. The certificate will also include a potential grade which could be reached with improvements. While an EPC will be valid for 10 years, it’s always best to refer to a recent report when evaluating the energy efficiency of your property and finding ways to insulate your home.
How much does an energy performance certificate cost? Well it can vary depending on the size of the property, its location, and how long it takes to complete the assessment.
Best doors for home insulation
Choosing the right door for your home isn’t just a stylistic choice, it can have implications for heating efficiency. According to the Centre for Sustainable Energy, 20% of the heat in a home is lost through its windows and doors. In consideration of this, Building Regulations state that new and replacement doors must have a Doorset Energy Rating of at least Band B(U value 1.4W/m²K). Both the material and features of the style should be considered when evaluating which is the best door for insulating.
Composite Doors
Made using an aluminium inner frame surrounded by rigid uPVC and a vacuum-formed skin, composite doors display impressive insulation properties. This combination of materials makes for a door that is energy efficient, secure, and has a sleek appearance. The composite doors provided by Allerton Windows are injected with Polyurethane Foam to ensure the best possible energy rating.
UPVC Doors
The ideal door for a building refresh or extension, uPVC doors are the typical choice as they are energy efficient and affordable. The Liniar multi-chamber profile design ensures leading heat retention and energy efficiency. This is an extremely cost-effective option for homeowners to keep warm during winter months. UPVC style doors are also highly durable and resistant to harsh weather conditions, which helps prevent cracks that would compromise their ability to trap heat.
Aluminium Doors
Aluminium sliding and bifold doors provide a modern look without compromising on heat retention and security. By executing unparalleled build quality and a powder-coated finish, aluminium doors can be highly effective insulators. The Alumina Bifold system from our partners Liniar has the option of a ‘warm touch’ foiled exterior to put its performance above many other competitors.
Bifold Doors
A popular choice to allow access to back gardens from kitchens and conservatories, bifold doors have practical and aesthetic appeal. Bifolding doors from quality manufacturers are effective at keeping cold weather out. Our bifold doors feature an additional core layer in the construction with the intention of providing exceptional thermal performance.
Read our blog The Pros and Cons of Bifold Doors for more info.
Best windows for home insulation
As with doors, there are Window Energy Ratings (WER) to assess the thermal efficiency of the windows in a property. This rating includes:
- U-value: thermal transmittance of the window.
- G-value: how much heat from the sun can pass through the window.
- L-factor: measures air leakage of the window.
UK Building Regulations require replacement windows that have a energy rating of at least C. Although with the maximum efficiency rating on the scale being A++, this still leaves a lot of room for improvement.
Double Glazing Windows
Double glazed windows often achieve an impressive energy rating of A+, which can be further increased through triple glazing. The average U-value of double glazing windows is around 2.8W/m²K. To support the thermal performance of double glazing, you need window frames that are also effective at stopping cold air entering the home, as is the case with Liniar’s patented Bubble Gasket frames. Fitting double glazed windows is an investment that often pays for itself many times over.
UPVC Windows
Reducing your home’s heating bills and adding value with curb appeal is straightforward with uPVC windows. Made from unplasticised polyvinyl chloride, these windows are low-maintenance and weather resistant with good insulation properties. While many people think using uPVC is purely a practical choice, there are many design options for uPVC windows to fit any home.
Bespoke Windows
The best way to ensure the windows in your home provide maximum insulation is to get made-to-order units installed. Our team uses their vast experience to provide unique windows that are designed to be energy efficient all year round. Choose the style and materials that are best for your needs.
How long does a window replacement take?
Generally, removing an old window and installing a new one is not a very time consuming process. However, the exact amount of time it’ll take from start to finish will depend on the type of windows, the window frames in the property, and the expertise of the installers. The best way to minimise window replacement time is to get help from window installation specialists.
How to insulate a home extension
When adding an extension, whether it’s something major like a conservatory or a small addition like a porch, it’s important that it has good insulation.
Home extensions effectively create new exterior walls for your home, so if the walls, windows, and doors of the extension aren’t properly insulated it could cause heat loss across the whole building. As such, it’s important to plan out every aspect of your home extension to make sure it has the proper insulation.
Oftentimes, this means fitting doors and windows that are in line with the style and quality of the existing house. Although it could also lead to window and door upgrades across the property to improve thermal retention.
Get a professional architectural quote
Improving the energy efficiency of your home through insulated windows and doors is an effective way to improve the value of your home. This is because the EPC rating is factored into commercial and residential properties due to its impact on monthly bills.
On top of this, it reassures people that the property can easily maintain comfortable temperatures. Fortunately, there are many options from window and door specialists that will improve home heat efficiency.
If you’re unsure which is the best option for improving your home insulation, get in touch with us today. By visiting our Liverpool showroom you’ll get to see firsthand which types of windows and doors we offer.