Clearview National December 2019 - Issue 217 | Page 43

PROUD SPONSOR OF DOORS & WINDOWS
DOORS&WINDOWS
conductivity than air. The thermal resistance
and extra pane of glass means that double
glazing helps to retain internal heat, while
reducing energy bills that peak during
winter.
The benefits of double glazing are not only
energy efficiency related. Double glazing
can also combat noise pollution, which is
beneficial in winter when storms or high
winds are likely.
MATERIAL WORLD
While double glazing offers many benefits,
it’s equally important to ensure that the frames
around the windows and doors are energy
efficient.
PVCu (polychloride vinyl) is an effective
and popular choice for window and door
frames. This material does not conduct heat,
meaning that warm air is retained inside.
It is also low maintenance as PVCu is
highly durable and will not be damaged or
tarnished by severe weather conditions.
An alternative to PVCu is composite,
which has become increasingly popular for
aesthetic purposes. A composite combines
two or more different materials to create
one with different properties to its origins,
making composites particularly strong.
Although composites can have the exterior
look and thermal insulation of timber, they
are fixed with an aluminium cladding for
easy maintenance and durability during the
winter.
SEALING SOLUTIONS
Sealant is often overlooked, but this
simple substance adds an extra layer of
protection from the outside weather.
Sealant is used to secure windows and
doors in place and prevents air from
escaping around the frame, improving the
thermal insulation of your home.
However, over time sealant can become
worn and cracks can appear, allowing heat to
escape. It’s important to inspect the sealant
around your windows and doors for any
defects and replace it when necessary. By
maintaining the sealant will ensure that the
cold winter air remains outside of your home
and the heat stays in.
ENERGY RATINGS
The fenestration industry has several
rating systems to determine energy
efficiency quality. For example, The British
Fenestration Rating Council (BFRC)
rates the energy efficiency performance of
a U-value, which measures the amount of
heat that passes through a glazed unit. The
lower the U-value, the more energy efficient
the glazing is. Windows and doors with
a low U-value retain more heat, reducing
energy bills and keep your home warm.
Nick Cowley - Managing Director
windows and doors on a scale from A++,
meaning the window or door has a high
energy performance, through to E, the
lowest rating of energy efficiency quality.
With a rating of A or higher, you can be
assured that your windows and doors are able
to keep your home warm and your energy
bills down, increasing energy efficiency.
When selling, renting or building a home,
an energy performance certificate (EPC)
is required to prove a building’s efficiency.
Similarly, this rates energy efficiency from
A for high energy efficiency, to G for low
efficiency. By obtaining this certificate you
can rest assured that your building is energy
efficient.
Furthermore, the overall thermal
performance of glazing and framing is called
DRAUGHT PROOFING
For optimal energy efficiency during
the winter, draught proofing your home
can greatly improve its warmth. Draught
proofing is one of the cheapest ways to save
energy and money and can be carried out as
a mini DIY project or by a professional.
By covering holes, gaps or spaces in
or around your windows and doors, the
method eliminates cold air getting in your
home and warm air from escaping. Items
such as draught excluders are used to stop
air evading from the bottom of door frames,
whereas self-adhesive foam strips can be
used to cover key holes and edges of window
frames.
Regardless of whether winter conditions
are as severe as Beast of the East or mild
snowfall, it’s vital to prepare your home for
the colder months. By ensuring the windows
and doors installed in your home are reliable,
energy efficient and capable of withstanding
winter weather, you’ll be able to increase the
warmth in your home and keep your energy
bills low throughout winter.
www.euramax.co.uk
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