© English Heritage
The Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC) has welcomed new guidance by English Heritage (EH) on traditional windows, in particular for its authoritative conclusions on their thermal properties.
Mike Brown, IHBC Chair said: ‘This is a very welcome and thorough piece of research produced by English Heritage and goes a long way towards busting many of the ill-informed myths that surround traditional joinery repairs and, particularly, the oft-claimed merits of double glazing units. As this research shows, much of the thermal efficiency achieved by double glazing can be had through simpler and cheaper measures, such as draught-proofing, secondary glazing, thermal blinds and curtains.’
The IHBC were privileged to see some of the early research findings at our Annual School a few years back and it is very pleasing to now see the final document published. It concludes that much of the drive to replace traditional windows is largely misplaced, with consequent, needless damage to our historic environment.’
‘I urge all members to read this important piece of work and to bring it to the attention of owners and agents wherever necessary to persuade them that there is a better alternative to the loss of traditional windows and doors and their replacement with often ungainly and alien double glazing’.
EH writes:
The loss of traditional windows continues to pose one of the major threats to our heritage and has long been a major concern for English Heritage. With an increasing emphasis being placed on making existing buildings more energy efficient, they are possibly now at greater risk than ever from replacement or unsuitable adaptation. Twenty years ago in a landmark campaign, English Heritage launched a series of guidance notes called Framing Opinions to highlight the increasing loss of traditional windows from older buildings and historic areas. Since then other English Heritage research has continued to highlight their loss. However, our research has not just focused on documenting loss but has also looked at improving their thermal performance and how when retained they can add value to properties.
This new English Heritage guidance covering both timber and metal windows, builds on this research and is aimed at building professionals and property-owners. It sets out to challenge many of the common perceptions about older windows and charts their history over centuries of technical development and fashion. Detailed technical advice is then provided on their maintenance, repair and thermal upgrading as well as on their restoration.
