The perfect balance of improved thermal performance and maintained character

Timber Retrofit and
Insert Windows
Te Awamutu, Waikato

 

Upgrading to superior double glazing was necessary for this homeowner due to very cold winters, made worse by chilling draughts from the single glazed timber windows.

They were interested in moving to aluminium windows, but their home was one of a number of character homes in their street, so retaining the street appeal was paramount.

The team at Glasswise took the time to walk through the retroGLAZE® solutions available and explained the benefits of both retrofitting the existing timber windows and installing insert windows. They even went so far as to take the customer to another local home where they had installed inserts into existing timber frames previously.

Armed with this newly acquired knowledge, the homeowner chose to retrofit the existing timber windows along the front of the home, whilst installing inserts along the sides and the rear of the home.

 

Client Concerns

  • Maintain character on street facing windows
  • Improve insulation
  • Too cold in winter
  • Chilling draughts

 

What Changed

  • Single glazing replaced with high performing Low E double glazing
  • Front windows retrofitted to fit genuine double glazing
  • Side and rear windows replaced with new thermally efficient Insert windows

 

Results

  • Warmer and drier home with no more draughts
  • Retained beautiful timber windows at front of house to maintain street appeal
  • Modernised the look of the home on the sides and rear of the home

 

The Project

Timber Retrofit – In order to preserve the bungalow’s unique charm, it was essential to retrofit the existing timber frames at the front of the house.

This entailed removing the existing underperforming single glass, then carefully machining out enough space within the frame to fit genuine double glazing.

To ensure proper ventilation, drainage holes were drilled into the bottom of the frames. Additionally, the old putty was removed and replaced with high-quality timber beads, resulting in a clean, neat, and waterproof finish.

Insert Windows – While maintaining the home’s character was less crucial along the side and rear, it was desirable to find a solution that incorporated aluminum windows while still retaining some of the timber’s natural appeal. Enter Insert Windows, a recommendation made by Glasswise.

By removing the sashes from the existing timber frames, only the original timber reveals, facings, and sill remained in place. Subsequently, thermally efficient aluminum inserts were installed in the cavities, featuring a thermal break that prevents cold transfer from the outside to the inside of the house.

The homeowner’s desire to switch to aluminum frames was successfully fulfilled without sacrificing the home’s unique character. It’s a win-win situation!

 

The Double Glazing

The homeowners chose SuperTherm WarmTM Low-E double glazing to improve the insulation within the home.

SuperTherm WarmTM allows ample daylight and warmth while offering exceptional thermal insulation. Its advanced nanoscopic (very thin) coating permits radiant heat from the sun to pass through easily
while preventing the escape of indoor heat, resulting in reduced heat loss by up to 81%. This double glazing is designed to maximize solar energy capture and retain warmth, making it an ideal choice for a home that is seeking energy efficiency and comfort.

 

What impressed us the most was our needs were listened to and the installation could not have gone better

Final Reflections

The integration of timber retrofit and insert joinery with high-performance double glazing, showcases a successful combination of historic preservation and modern comfort, resulting in a beautifully transformed
home.

The owners of this charming home were very satisfied with how the thermally efficient aluminium inserts looked, even commenting that they exceeded their expectations!

The end result is a warmer home with a beautifully preserved property frontage.

Bedroom areas are now draught-free and as an added bonus, the home is much quieter now too!!

 

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