Renovating
How to Winter-proof Your Victorian Home
Bookmark these easy-to-implement ideas for creating a comfortable, draught-free retreat
As the days turn chilly and the nights start creeping in, autumn is suddenly upon us. Often this is the time of year that owners of beautiful (but potentially problem-prone) period homes remember the long list of issues that bothered them last winter, but which faded away during sizzling summer days.
Luckily, it’s not too late to tackle a few troublesome cool spots in your home. Even small changes will make a marked difference to your cold-weather cosiness – and might take the edge off the heating bill, too.
This article is from our Most Popular stories file
Luckily, it’s not too late to tackle a few troublesome cool spots in your home. Even small changes will make a marked difference to your cold-weather cosiness – and might take the edge off the heating bill, too.
This article is from our Most Popular stories file
Discover dense drapes
Interlined curtains are a canny investment for draughty windows, keeping out the cold, as well as upping the aesthetics of a room via luxe draping and soft fabric.
A double-width header (the gathered section behind the top of the curtains) will create long pleats that help to balance high ceilings and also look extra fancy.
You may also want to ask your curtain maker for blackout lining if the new drapes are destined for the bedroom.
Need help with your home? Find a professional in your area
Interlined curtains are a canny investment for draughty windows, keeping out the cold, as well as upping the aesthetics of a room via luxe draping and soft fabric.
A double-width header (the gathered section behind the top of the curtains) will create long pleats that help to balance high ceilings and also look extra fancy.
You may also want to ask your curtain maker for blackout lining if the new drapes are destined for the bedroom.
Need help with your home? Find a professional in your area
Mind the gaps
Exposed floorboards lend relaxed character to a period home, and can be dressed with rugs to create a more cosy feel.
However, the floorboards in a Victorian house sit on top of joists, which are often 30cm above bare earth. With no insulation apart from the wood itself, there’s a constant influx of cold air, particularly between boards.
To counter this chilly draught, it’s easy to fit slim strips of tubing, which will be hidden by the shadow of each gap. This simple method is quick, affordable, removable and replaceable.
Exposed floorboards lend relaxed character to a period home, and can be dressed with rugs to create a more cosy feel.
However, the floorboards in a Victorian house sit on top of joists, which are often 30cm above bare earth. With no insulation apart from the wood itself, there’s a constant influx of cold air, particularly between boards.
To counter this chilly draught, it’s easy to fit slim strips of tubing, which will be hidden by the shadow of each gap. This simple method is quick, affordable, removable and replaceable.
Ditch the draughty front door
Poorly designed letterboxes and open keyholes will turn your hallway into a cold zone. Ensure that escutcheons and letterbox covers are fitted on the inside of the front door and that draught-stripping is utilised where possible.
If the area still feels chilly, you may want to invest in a thick door curtain for a snug entryway with an added touch of opulence.
Poorly designed letterboxes and open keyholes will turn your hallway into a cold zone. Ensure that escutcheons and letterbox covers are fitted on the inside of the front door and that draught-stripping is utilised where possible.
If the area still feels chilly, you may want to invest in a thick door curtain for a snug entryway with an added touch of opulence.
Prep properly
When tackling the complete refurbishment of a room down to bare brick, you could consider ‘dry-lining’ interior walls using insulated plasterboard.
These boards have foam backing of varying thicknesses, which will mean that your finished floor space is slightly smaller. Once fitted, the boards are plastered over and decorated using standard methods.
Since up to 35 per cent of your home’s heat is lost through the walls, this is one preparatory step that’s worth investigating.
When tackling the complete refurbishment of a room down to bare brick, you could consider ‘dry-lining’ interior walls using insulated plasterboard.
These boards have foam backing of varying thicknesses, which will mean that your finished floor space is slightly smaller. Once fitted, the boards are plastered over and decorated using standard methods.
Since up to 35 per cent of your home’s heat is lost through the walls, this is one preparatory step that’s worth investigating.
Spruce up sashes
Refurbishment of original sash windows can significantly reduce heat loss – even when sticking with single glazing.
By taking apart the sash, stripping it back, re-weighting it and fitting brush strips between the box and the frame, your windows will gain a new lease of life. Sashes will no longer rattle or stick, making the whole window feel a lot more substantial.
Refurbishment of original sash windows can significantly reduce heat loss – even when sticking with single glazing.
By taking apart the sash, stripping it back, re-weighting it and fitting brush strips between the box and the frame, your windows will gain a new lease of life. Sashes will no longer rattle or stick, making the whole window feel a lot more substantial.
Take a second
Secondary glazing is another option for those looking to preserve delicate hand-rolled glass windows. Bespoke wooden frames are the most in-keeping and unobtrusive choice.
Fitting secondary glazing will help your home to retain heat, minimise outside noise and reduce troublesome condensation problems.
Thought should be given to where glazing can be stored out of season, or, if leaving in place year-round, which windows need to be openable.
Secondary glazing is another option for those looking to preserve delicate hand-rolled glass windows. Bespoke wooden frames are the most in-keeping and unobtrusive choice.
Fitting secondary glazing will help your home to retain heat, minimise outside noise and reduce troublesome condensation problems.
Thought should be given to where glazing can be stored out of season, or, if leaving in place year-round, which windows need to be openable.
Insulate overhead
Top of the winter-proofing list is the loft; on average, 25 per cent of your home’s heat will escape through the roof. Modern insulation options such as sustainable sheep’s wool offer itch-free installation, excellent thermal properties, sound-proofing, air purification and humidity reduction.
Another good method involves filling the loft floor with a material made from recycled newspapers, which are industrially shredded, treated with mineral salts and then packaged into portable bales.
Top of the winter-proofing list is the loft; on average, 25 per cent of your home’s heat will escape through the roof. Modern insulation options such as sustainable sheep’s wool offer itch-free installation, excellent thermal properties, sound-proofing, air purification and humidity reduction.
Another good method involves filling the loft floor with a material made from recycled newspapers, which are industrially shredded, treated with mineral salts and then packaged into portable bales.
Crave control
Part of the puzzle of heating your home effectively is down to clever controls. A standard thermostat will enable you to set the temperature you want the house to reach, before automatically turning off.
Modern ‘smart’ devices can be controlled remotely from your phone – meaning you need never return to a cold house. They are even able to sense when the space is empty.
Thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) are fitted to individual radiators, allowing you to set a level for the temperature of that particular room – ideal if you prefer a cool bedroom but enjoy a toasty kitchen.
Adding an electric element to a bathroom towel rail is also a good idea, allowing you to enjoy warm, dry towels in the summer, even when the central heating is off.
Part of the puzzle of heating your home effectively is down to clever controls. A standard thermostat will enable you to set the temperature you want the house to reach, before automatically turning off.
Modern ‘smart’ devices can be controlled remotely from your phone – meaning you need never return to a cold house. They are even able to sense when the space is empty.
Thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) are fitted to individual radiators, allowing you to set a level for the temperature of that particular room – ideal if you prefer a cool bedroom but enjoy a toasty kitchen.
Adding an electric element to a bathroom towel rail is also a good idea, allowing you to enjoy warm, dry towels in the summer, even when the central heating is off.
Stay positive
Despite all of this work aiming to reduce draughts, it’s important to maintain a healthy input of air to ventilate the building and avoid high humidity and mould problems. One option for increasing the movement of clean air through the house is a positive input ventilation (PIV) system.
A PIV is installed in the loft space and works to push air (from outside) through a vent into the landing and down through the rest of the house. When the loft temperature is high during summer, it will automatically switch off. Similarly, in winter, a heating element can be used to warm air before dispersal.
This flow of filtered air can be particularly beneficial to those with asthma or allergies.
Tell us…
What tips do you have for keeping an old home feeling toasty? Share them in the Comments section.
Despite all of this work aiming to reduce draughts, it’s important to maintain a healthy input of air to ventilate the building and avoid high humidity and mould problems. One option for increasing the movement of clean air through the house is a positive input ventilation (PIV) system.
A PIV is installed in the loft space and works to push air (from outside) through a vent into the landing and down through the rest of the house. When the loft temperature is high during summer, it will automatically switch off. Similarly, in winter, a heating element can be used to warm air before dispersal.
This flow of filtered air can be particularly beneficial to those with asthma or allergies.
Tell us…
What tips do you have for keeping an old home feeling toasty? Share them in the Comments section.
Large fireplaces with beautiful mantelpieces are undoubtedly one of the biggest draws of a period house. However, these openings also create major draughts as cold air leaks in through the chimney.
For lesser-used fireplaces, it’s worth fitting an inflatable chimney balloon or a piece of thick fabric wadding to help make your rooms more comfortable for winter. Just remember to remove any impediments before lighting a fire!
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