We are interested in buying a Grade 2 listed building which has single glazed windows.  It is a large house (former rectory) and I would be keen improve the insulation .   My understanding is that the  order of priority should be : 1 roof insulation, 2 cavity wall insulation, 3 window insulation.

Re 3, replacing the windows with double glazed units which would get LBC  would be prohibitively expensive so I am interested in secondary glazing solutions.  Ideally it would be reversible so that LBC would not be required.

 

Does anyone have any suggestions for good secondary glazing systems, or indeed any other relevant pearls of wisdom 😉 ?

 

 

Edited September 20, 20251 yr by iansr

What is LBC?

 

Listed building consent?

 

Have you looked at the vacuum insulated glass?

Edited September 20, 20251 yr by Mr Punter

LBC: correct.

What vacuum insulated glass ?

I have seen it advertised.  I imagine expensive, but it apparently at least equals double glazed but only 6mm thick.  Get a few quotes / samples and let us know how you get on.

Previous house was Grade 2 listed 2 up 2 down cottage and last time I asked the council (about 15 yrs ago) what the options were for adding insulation they said they couldn't answer questions without an upfront £250 fee. Annoying when everyone else was getting paid to insulate more modern houses.

I made my own secondary glazing. Was easy and cheap to do.

Could make it 'posher' for not much more.

1 hour ago, Hastings said:

Previous house was Grade 2 listed 2 up 2 down cottage and last time I asked the council (about 15 yrs ago) what the options were for adding insulation they said they couldn't answer questions without an upfront £250 fee. Annoying when everyone else was getting paid to insulate more modern houses.

Yeah the ethos in relation to listed buildings is cocked up.  Surely these conservation officers should be working with you in a collaborative way.  In that way more historical buildings would be appropriately renovated / preserved, which is surely what everyone would want . . . 

1 hour ago, SteamyTea said:

I made my own secondary glazing. Was easy and cheap to do.

Could make it 'posher' for not much more.

Could you provide some details of how you did it and what materials you used please.

7 hours ago, iansr said:

Could you provide some details of how you did it and what materials you used please.

I posted it up on here, think it was on here.

Somewhere there is a small videos.

Thanks.  Having done a bit more research I’ve concluded the magnet strip method seems like a very good solution.

9 hours ago, iansr said:

Thanks.  Having done a bit more research I’ve concluded the magnet strip method seems like a very good solution.

I thought of doing magnetic strips, but my past experience with magnetic strips (steamroom and sauna doors) was not good.

You need an airtight seal, not just something to hold the glazing in place.

From what I’ve read you need to to choose the right steel / magnetic strips.  You get an airtight seal if the magnets are strong enough . . .