English Heritage has published some interesting research looking at improving the energy performance of existing, traditional windows as an alternative to replacement.
Unless you live in a conservation area or live in a listed building, under the Building Regulations replacement windows have to be double or triple glazed. The look of modern windows is, for the most part, very different to old windows and many consider them to adversely affect the aesthetics of older homes. For many people the cost of replacement windows is also prohibitively high so this research is also useful for them.
Timber frame sash windows with double or triple glazing are available and there are designs which get pretty close to the sorts of windows you see around Stoke Newington.
Luckily there’s a lot you can do to improve your existing windows and reduce heat loss. It won’t save as much as installing proper high performance multiple glazed windows, but through a combination of simple measures such as thermally lined curtains, improved draught proofing and secondary glazing, you can make substantial savings without spending lots of money.
You can read the full report here or there is an executive summary here.
