Preparing for Winter with Timber Windows

It seems almost silly to be thinking of winter at the moment. The UK is currently experiencing the hottest summer on record (ideal for some, not so for others) and so the thought of winter, and the colder months, seems very far away and on the distant horizon.

That being said, now is the perfect time to put in the groundwork to ensure your home is ready for the upcoming winter, and for the winters to follow. All homes, and buildings, are susceptible to the winter elements and colder weather. Our heating and gas requirements increase, and depending on the energy efficiency of a building, can be an expensive time of year. As the temperatures begin to drop during the latter months of the year, the importance of high performing, efficient windows and doors become apparent.

In this article, we will discuss ways you can prepare your home for the winter, and give food for thought about what you can do at home to make your property more energy, heat, and cost efficient.

Inspecting your current windows and doors

A damaged, or faulty window / door at the end of its life is both inefficient, and a potential security risk. During the winter months, more heat will escape your home, and you may find that you need the heating on for longer, or at a higher temperature, as you can feel the rooms, and overall house, is just not warming up as it should, or has done previously.

Inspecting your windows and doors now is an easy and quick way of identifying any faults or damage and allows you to get on top of that, while the weather is still pleasant. Some faults are obvious, such as broken or cracked glass, visible gaps, or damage to the window and door frames. Draughts can also be obvious in some instances, as you can both feel it, and notice more noise from the outside is leaking into the home. If you live in an urban area for example, you may hear the noise of passing cars or people walking past the house, which you may not have before.

Some smaller gaps can be harder to notice immediately. We covered condensation on windows in a previous article. Condensation between the two panes of glass is a key indicator of a fault with the window, as the insulating gas between panes is leaking out of the product, allowing moisture in, and condensation to form. In these instances, the unit should be replaced as condensation between panes of glass is a significant failure indicator and cannot be repaired unlike some other forms of damage / wear.

If the gap is small and hard to notice, light a candle and hold it close, but not too close to the window. If you move it along the edges of the window slowly, and notice the flame flickering, that’s shows a gap, where air is leaking through the window. This can help you identify whether you need new windows and doors or if it can be repaired (speak to your window supplier if in doubt).

Keeping an eye on your outgoings and draught proofing where possible

Energy bills have always been a concern for homeowners, however, in recent years, this has become even more prevalent. Over the past 5 years, energy costs in the UK have risen substantially, and it feels like every month, we hear about the cost cap being changed yet again. This is frustrating, and a huge concern for so many millions of homeowners, with so much uncertainty in the current global climate not giving a clear outlook or timeline for when things may become more stable.

Homeowners across the country have made numerous sacrifices and adjustments to their daily life to counteract these outgoings where possible, admirably so. When it comes to windows and doors, and ensuring your home is as draught free as possible, the following adjustments / additions can be made at a small cost (to name a few):

Draught excluders – Placed at the bottom of a door, a draught excluder is an easy, and cost efficient way of helping that room keep the heat in, and the draughts out. Draught excluders have evolved and adapted to become not just a way of being energy efficient. They are also available in numerous styles and designs, with many fun designs including cats and dogs, to provide a solution in your home, that is also stylish and in keeping with your interior design, and even a fun addition in some instances.

Key holes – It may sound silly, however if you have an old style key lock, that is a tiny hole that is letting heat out of your home. A metal disc that can cover this key hole is an easy, yet effective way of plugging that gap and improving efficiency. Any difference you can make, no matter how small, is worth doing.

Thermal curtains – High quality, thermal curtains are an excellent way of keeping your home warmer during the winter, and cool in the summer. As with draught excluders above, they have evolved in style over time, and can be tailored and customised to fit into your home style, and even bring a luxurious element to the room. You do not have to choose a certain colour or finish just because they are thermal. You can get the best of both worlds, all for the benefit of your home.

Weatherstripping – Weatherstrips are a form of gasket that is applied to the edges of windows and doors as a way of offering an additional seal and layer of protection from draughts. They may not be the prettiest solution, however, depending on the home and windows, can be a cost effective, and simple way of making a small change for a notable benefit.

Bleed your radiators – when your heating is on, yet the top of your radiator is cold, it needs bleeding. There is trapped air inside the radiator that is preventing the entire metal panel from warming up. You are paying for that heating, yet not receiving the full benefit. Typically speaking, the radiators furthest from the boiler, and in the upper floors of a home are more prone to needing a bleed, however, this is not always the case. Check all radiators in your home, and purchase a radiator key if you do not have one already.

Regular maintenance

Regular maintenance and cleaning of your windows and doors, is good practice, and can also help to maintain its performance and life. The hinges, joints, handles, pegstays and locks all move with operation of the windows and doors, and so being on top of keeping these elements clean and free of any grime helps to prolong the overall unit’s life. During the colder months, this will also help them operate as intended and help to prevent possible sticking or jamming.

If you do find condensation on them, wipe these down to remove any standing water from potentially causing damage to the frame over time.

Cleaning the windows internally and externally also helps preserve the material and paint finish of the units. All Timber Windows products are applied with a timber preservative, followed by 3 coats of micro-porous paint, allowing the wood to breathe and prevent moisture from seeping into the material. For exterior doors and windows, microporous paint is essential, due to its exposure to the elements. Regular cleaning (once a month or so) will help the paint and material perform to its highest standards.

New timber windows and doors when the time comes

Preparing your home and taking some of the steps outlined above to be more energy and noise efficient should be considered now, even though we are still currently benefitting from the warmer weather. With a few, small changes, you can make a notable difference in your home and benefit everyone in the household, come winter.

Ultimately, if your windows and/or doors are at the end of their life, or have damage that the above cannot alleviate, then replacing them should be a priority. Having a secure, efficient home is a concern to every homeowner, and while a significant investment, will not only improve your day to day living and comfort; they will also add value to your home and help to reduce your monthly outgoings.

If you feel the time has come to replace your windows and doors, especially before the winter comes, then please do get in touch today. Our range of engineered timber windows and doors are naturally strong and insulating, with high-performance glass, helping to keep your home warm during the winter, and cooler during the summer. Explore our range here, or find your local showroom here, to see our range first hand and speak to a local expert about how we can help, today.